50 Facts About Tones And I

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Tones and I, born Toni Watson, has an inspiring journey from her early days in Mount Martha, Victoria, to becoming a global music sensation. Let's dive into her beginnings and how she discovered her passion for music.

1. Birth Name and Profession: Toni Watson is known professionally as Tones and I.
2. Birthdate: August 15, 2000.
3. Birthplace: Mount Martha, Victoria, Australia.
4. Early Life: Tones and I grew up on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, Australia.
5. Discovery of Music: She discovered her love for music at a young age during a family outing when her aunt noticed her ability to hold a note.
6. Early Exploration of Music: Tones and I began exploring music by learning to play instruments such as the keyboard and drum pads during her secondary school years.

The Busking Journey

Before hitting the big stages, Tones and I honed her craft on the streets. Her busking days were crucial in shaping her unique sound and performance style.

7. Busking Career: She started busking on the streets of Melbourne and Byron Bay, balancing street performances with a part-time job in fashion retail.
8. Breakthrough Performance: The turning point in her career came in 2018 when she won the Battle of the Buskers at Buskers by the Creek in Byron Bay.

Breakout Hits and Global Success

Tones and I's rise to fame was meteoric, thanks to her breakout single "Dance Monkey." Let's explore the milestones that catapulted her to international stardom.

9. Debut Single: Her debut single, "Johnny Run Away," was uploaded to Triple J's Unearthed in February 2019.
10. Viral Sensation: "Johnny Run Away" became a viral sensation, racking up streams and receiving high ratings from Triple J staff.
11. Second Single Release: Her second single, "Dance Monkey," was released in May 2019 and marked a pivotal moment in her career.
12. Global Success: "Dance Monkey" reached number one in over 30 countries, including Australia, the UK, and Germany.
13. Record-Breaking Single: The song broke multiple records, including the most weeks at number one on the ARIA Singles Chart and becoming the most Shazamed song ever.
14. Streaming Figures: By early 2020, "Dance Monkey" had been streamed over 10 billion times across all platforms.
15. Chart Performance: It topped the Australian charts for 24 weeks, beating Bing Crosby’s all-time Australian record for his version of "White Christmas," which spent 22 weeks at number one.
16. Certification: "Dance Monkey" was certified 19× platinum by ARIA for shipments of over 1,330,000 units by June 2023.

Albums and EPs

Tones and I's discography showcases her versatility and growth as an artist. Her EPs and albums have received critical acclaim and commercial success.

17. Debut EP Release: Her debut extended play, "The Kids Are Coming," was released on August 30, 2019, and peaked at number three in Australia.
18. Critical Acclaim: The EP received widespread acclaim and included tracks like "Dance Monkey," "Never Seen the Rain," and "Johnny Run Away."
19. AFL Grand Final Performance: In September 2019, Tones and I performed "Dance Monkey" and "The Kids Are Coming" at the AFL Grand Final with an audience of 100,000.
20. Triple J Hottest 100: Three tracks from "The Kids Are Coming" were listed on the Triple J Hottest 100, 2019: "Dance Monkey" (No. 4), "Never Seen the Rain" (No. 15), and "Johnny Run Away" (No. 26).
21. Kids Are Coming World Tour: In February 2020, she started her Kids Are Coming World Tour with five Laneway Festival dates in Australia and seven dates in North America.
22. Debut Album Release: Her debut album, "Welcome to the Madhouse," was released via Bad Batch on July 16, 2021, and debuted at number one on the ARIA Albums Chart.
23. Lead Single Performance: The album's lead single, "Fly Away," peaked at number four in Australia, number 11 in the UK and Denmark, and number 10 in Ireland.

Collaborations and Contributions

Tones and I has worked with various artists and contributed to significant projects, showcasing her versatility and broad appeal.

24. Collaborations: Tones and I has collaborated with several notable artists, including Macklemore on the track "Chant," which they performed together on "Good Morning America."
25. Netflix Original Film Contribution: She contributed music to the Netflix original film "True Spirit" and the blockbuster sequel "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom."
26. Recent Singles Release: Her recent singles, such as "I Get High" and "Dreaming," continue to receive significant attention and acclaim.
27. Touring Activities: In 2023 and 2024, Tones and I released several new singles and embarked on extensive tours.
28. Supporting Macklemore’s Tour: She supported Macklemore on his UK and European tour and performed at various high-profile events, including the FIFA Women's World Cup final.

Achievements and Records

Tones and I's career is marked by numerous achievements and records, reflecting her impact on the music industry.

29. Historic Achievement: Tones and I made history by becoming the first female artist to hit three billion streams on Spotify with "Dance Monkey."
30. Personal Life: Toni Watson 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.
31. New Album Announcement: In an exciting development, Tones and I announced the release of her new album, "Beautifully Ordinary," set for August 2, 2024. The album features a collection of songs exploring themes of personal growth, nostalgia, heartbreak, and triumph.
32. Album Tracklist: The album includes earlier singles like "Wonderful," "I Get High," "Dreaming," and the newly released single, "Dance With Me," out on June 17, 2024.
33. Genre-Diverse Style: Tones and I has been building a loyal fanbase and captivating crowds with her genre-diverse style, which includes elements of pop, indie, and electronic music.

The Busking Experience

Her busking days were not just a stepping stone but a significant part of her musical journey, shaping her unique sound and performance style.

34. Busking Experience: She busked up and down the east coast with her synthesizers and loop pedal, which helped her develop her unique sound and performance style.
35. YouTube Presence: In 2009, as Toni Watson, she created a YouTube page and posted a cappella cover versions of songs, showcasing her early musical endeavors.
36. Local Gigs and Festivals: She performed at local gigs and festivals, including the Let Go festival, where she started out singing in small pubs and bars in Mornington.
37. Shift to Solo Career: Tones and I explained her shift to a solo career: "I actually got made redundant from my retail job and with that money I bought an RC300 [loop station] and just started to try to figure it all out."

Management and Industry Recognition

Tones and I's rise in the music industry was supported by strategic management deals and recognition from key industry players.

38. Management Deals: In February 2019, she signed to Bad Batch Records/Sony Music Australia alongside a co-management deal with Artists Only (owned by Walkden-Brown) and Lemon Tree Music (co-owned by Regan Lethbridge and David Morgan, both ex-Bonjah members).
39. Triple J Unearthed: Her debut single, "Johnny Run Away," was uploaded to Australian national youth radio station Triple J's website, Unearthed, which publishes the music of unsigned artists.
40. Triple J Staff Ratings: The track received high ratings from Triple J staff: Richard Kingsmill (four-and-a-half out of five stars), Tommy Faith (five stars), and Declan Byrne (four-and-a-half stars).
41. Splendour in the Grass Performance: Tones and I broke the record for the biggest crowd of an opening set at the Splendour in the Grass competition.

Awards and Accolades

Her talent and hard work have earned her numerous awards and accolades, solidifying her place in the music industry.

42. Awards and Accolades: Tones and I was the most awarded artist at the ARIA Music Awards of 2019, winning four of eight nominations.
43. Tribute Performance: For the 2020 ARIA Music Awards, she received three further nominations and joined an all-female ensemble for a tribute performance of "I Am Woman" in honour of Helen Reddy (1941–2020).
44. Australian National Tour: In April 2021, she restarted her Australian national tour in Melbourne, which visited east coast capitals as well as Cairns into May.
45. Single Release: Her single, "Won't Sleep," was released on May 14, 2021.
46. FIFA Women’s World Cup Anthem: She was part of the official walk-out anthem for the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

Ongoing Success and Future Plans

Tones and I continues to tour extensively and release new music, maintaining her momentum and expanding her reach.

47. Touring Highlights: Her extensive tours have included performances in various high-profile events and festivals, showcasing her ability to captivate diverse audiences.
48. Collaboration with Macklemore: Tones and I collaborated with Macklemore on the track "Chant," which they performed together on "Good Morning America."
49. Netflix Film Contribution: She contributed music to the Netflix original film "True Spirit," further expanding her reach in the entertainment industry.
50. Ongoing Success: As of 2024, Tones and I continues to tour extensively, including her first headline tour in Australia in three years, covering cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

Tones and I's Remarkable Journey

Tones and I's rise from busking on the streets to topping global charts is nothing short of extraordinary. With her breakout hit "Dance Monkey" smashing records and captivating audiences worldwide, she's proven her talent and resilience. Her debut EP "The Kids Are Coming" and album "Welcome to the Madhouse" showcase her unique sound and storytelling ability. Collaborations with artists like Macklemore and contributions to films highlight her versatility. Despite her rapid success, Tones and I remains grounded, continuing to tour and connect with fans. Her upcoming album "Beautifully Ordinary" promises more heartfelt music, reflecting her personal growth and experiences. Tones and I's journey is a testament to hard work, creativity, and staying true to oneself. As she continues to evolve, there's no doubt she'll keep making waves in the music industry.