When Teo Glacier (real name: Eden Betham) dropped “Close with Desires” at just 17, it wasn’t just another track; it was an instant alt-pop obsession that made listeners around the world hit repeat. With moody, layered beats and lyrics that linger, Teo Glacier tapped into something raw, something familiar—and TikTok took notice. Fast-forward, and this South Auckland student has gone from bedroom beats to alt-pop star, now with 1.3 million monthly listeners on Spotify and Capitol Records behind him.
A Song, A Name, and a Whole Lot of Unexpected Buzz
It all started in 2020, when lockdowns left him (and pretty much everyone) looking for a way to pass the time. Armed with a laptop from his brother, Teo Glacier turned those quiet, often lonely moments into music. The result? Songs that felt like private confessions set to beats that practically beg you to listen again. And “Close with Desires” was the breakthrough that led listeners everywhere to hit the replay button.
But don’t let the name fool you—Teo Glacier wasn’t some carefully crafted brand name. It was, amusingly, the result of a random name generator. But sometimes, magic happens by accident, and for Teo, that name now captures a vibe that feels chilled yet deeply emotive, like the kind of late-night thoughts you don’t tell anyone about.
The Sound That Stuck: Nostalgic, Honest, and So. Damn. Relatable.
If you haven’t heard “Close with Desires” yet, think dreamy pop vibes that give you a hit of nostalgia and edge all at once. It’s not just a track; it’s a mood, a feeling—and Teo Glacier is right there, channelling that universal longing and loss. It’s the kind of sound you can imagine coming from a car stereo on a midnight drive. And now, he’s building anticipation for his next big hit, Right Next to You, which he’s been teasing across social media, sending fans into a frenzy over what’s next.
From South Auckland to the World (With a Little Help from TikTok)
What’s really made Teo Glacier stand out is how perfectly he’s tapped into what listeners, especially Gen Z, are craving. TikTok got its hands on “Close with Desires,” and before he knew it, fans from the U.S., Philippines, Indonesia, and Brazil were vibing with a sound born in his South Auckland bedroom. But while he’s made it big, Teo hasn’t forgotten his roots—his influences still nod to artists like fellow Kiwi Jawsh 685, who also went viral, proving that South Auckland talent knows how to go global.
For Teo, though, this isn’t just about the music; it’s about family. He’s open about wanting to use his success to support them, especially his grandmother, who has Alzheimer’s. There’s a groundedness here, a sense that even as his name climbs charts and hits playlists worldwide, he’s still that kid creating beats in his room, driven by a simple love of music and a desire to make things better for the people he cares about.
