Tones And I

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Tones and I, born Toni Watson on August 15, 2000, hails from the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia. She discovered her love for music at a young age during a family outing when her aunt noticed her ability to hold a note. Encouraged by this early recognition, Tones and I began exploring music, learning to play instruments such as the keyboard and drum pads during her secondary school years.

Her journey into music became more serious when she started busking on the streets of Melbourne and Byron Bay. This was a challenging period, as she balanced her street performances with a part-time job in fashion retail. The turning point came in 2018 when she won the Battle of the Buskers at Buskers by the Creek in Byron Bay, which significantly boosted her confidence and visibility.

Breakthrough with "Dance Monkey"

The release of her second single, "Dance Monkey," in May 2019 marked a pivotal moment in her career. Written in just 30 minutes, the song became a global sensation, reaching number one in over 30 countries, including Australia, the UK, and Germany. It broke multiple records, including the most weeks at number one on the ARIA Singles Chart and becoming the most Shazamed song ever. By early 2020, it had been streamed over 10 billion times across all platforms and had topped the Australian charts for 24 weeks.

Major Achievements and Collaborations

Following the massive success of "Dance Monkey," Tones and I continued to solidify her place in the music industry with numerous hits and high-profile collaborations. Her debut EP, "The Kids Are Coming," released in August 2019, peaked at number three in Australia and received widespread acclaim. Her debut album, "Welcome to the Madhouse," released in July 2021, debuted at number one on the ARIA Albums Chart.

Tones and I has collaborated with several notable artists, including Macklemore on the track "Chant," which they performed together on "Good Morning America." She also contributed music to the Netflix original film "True Spirit" and the blockbuster sequel "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom." Her recent singles, such as "I Get High" and "Dreaming," continue to receive significant attention and acclaim.

Recent Works and Tours

In 2023 and 2024, Tones and I released several new singles and embarked on extensive tours. Her song "I Made It" was featured in "True Spirit," and she was part of the official walk-out anthem for the 2023 Women's World Cup. She also supported Macklemore on his UK and European tour and performed at various high-profile events, including the FIFA Women's World Cup final.

Tones and I made history by becoming the first female artist to hit three billion streams on Spotify with "Dance Monkey." As of 2024, she continues to tour extensively, including her first headline tour in Australia in three years, covering cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

Awards and Recognition

Throughout her career, Tones and I has garnered numerous awards and accolades. She has won multiple ARIA Awards, including "Song of the Year" for "Cloudy Day" in 2022. Her innovative approach to pop music, characterized by her distinctive voice and clever lyrics, has earned her a place among the top artists globally.

Personal Life

Toni Watson, professionally known as Tones and I, has kept much of her personal life private. She married Jimmy Bedford, a former bricklayer turned stage technician and touring audio engineer, in a picturesque wedding in Bali in March 2023.

Beautifully Ordinary Album Announcement

In an exciting development, Tones and I announced the release of her new album, "Beautifully Ordinary," set for August 2nd, 2024. The album features a collection of songs exploring themes of personal growth, nostalgia, heartbreak, and triumph. It includes earlier singles like "Wonderful," "I Get High," "Dreaming", and newly released single, "Dance With Me," out on June 17.