Zach Sang Show Teddy Swims Talks Covers, Fear of Releasing Original Music, Tattoos & Hating His Own Name
Aug 9, 2022
Teddy Swims, a soulful singer-songwriter who rose to fame with viral cover videos, talks tattoos, quitting football for theater, and the leap from covers to original music. He shares stories about his tattoo journey and creative rituals. Conversation highlights include his Michael Jackson cover breakthrough, battling release anxiety, and how songs find their place over time.
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Choosing Theater Over Football
- Teddy quit football in high school to pursue theater and singing, which initially upset his mother.
- After his first small stage success, his mom changed her mind and supported his musical path.
Permission To Pursue Music
- Teddy's father told him to never go back to school and to commit fully to music, giving him crucial permission.
- That explicit parental permission became
Breakthrough Cover Moment
- Teddy's first Teddy Swims cover was uploaded June 25, 2019 (a Michael Jackson tribute) and went viral fast.
- That virality shifted his career from local bands to a focused cover strategy with his friends.