The Ting TIngs

Musician — Manchester

01Profile

A The Ting TIngs Photo

03Interview

Name, where are you from?
Katie from The Ting Tings. We are from Manchester. 

Describe your style in three words?
I do it better in one word. Eclectic.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Cypress Hill. We stood side of stage and the band kept coming over for a chat with us between songs and then midway through conversation would suddenly get in a squat position and flip straight back into performing as they walked back on stage. Was an amazing show and funny! you've got to be pros to be able to do that!

If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
At the moment it would be The Smiths and The Cure. The Smiths because it probably never will happen and The Cure so we could finally get to see them. We played a couple of the same festivals and could never fight our way out of backstage into the crowd.

Which Subcultures have influenced you?
Post-punk new wave has always massively influenced us with bands like Blondie, Talking Heads and the Ramones. More recently it's been mod mixed with goth... Errr mod goth.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Aretha Franklin. I would have crept into the room, sat in the corner and listened to her sing. I wouldn't have said a word.

Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
The Bataclan in Paris. We played there 3 nights in a row - a residency instead of playing a bigger venue. It's the perfect size. You can feel the audience in a different way. It was so sad what happened there.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
At the moment it's Sleaford Mods. More people need to know about them. Check out their performance of 'Jobseeker' on Jools Holland. Pure punk expression. Not seen that for a while.


The Ting Tings, AKA Katie White and Julian De Martino, are best known for their successful 2009 debut album ‘We Started Nothing’ giving rise to the huge hit singles ‘That’s Not My Name’ and ‘Shut Up & Let Me Go’.

The duo have released two more studio albums since their debut. Their latest album ‘The Black Light’ sees the duo take on a darker style.

04Playlist Notes

The first track you played on repeat?
As far as brainwashing myself is concerned. Sonic the Hedgehog - green hill theme tune. I was addicted to the game and completely brainwashed myself with it. Actual song-wise it was probably 'Wannabe' by The Spice Girls. I had a Spice Girls pencil case.

A song that defines the teenage you?
I really got into Talking Heads when I was about 17. They were way before my time but I remember finding them and playing 'Once In A Lifetime' on repeat.

One record you would keep forever?
The Beatles. Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club. It's in my memories and brilliant. Sometimes you can have nostalgia for something but it still isn't actually good or as good as you remembered. This is superb.

A song lyric that has inspired you?
The Smiths - 'There Is A Light That Never Goes Out'
And in the original demo he sings "there is a light in your eyes that never goes out" which is even more beautiful.

A song you wished you had written? 
'F.E.A.R' by Ian Brown. Simple and Clever. The hardest songs to write.

Best song to turn up loud?
Beyonce -'Don't Hurt Yourself' 
Gives me goosebumps when she starts shouting.

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
Adam F - 'Circles'
I listen to old drum and bass when I'm working on my laptop late at night... it relaxes me. 

The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
Cardi B. 'Bodak Yellow' or 'I Like It'. Obsessed.

Best song to end an all-nighter?
'Weird Fishes' by Radiohead.

Any new bands you are into at the moment? 
We try not to listen to too much new stuff when we are making an album. We do like Sunflower Bean. They have been around a little while.

03Interview

Name, where are you from?
Katie from The Ting Tings. We are from Manchester. 

Describe your style in three words?
I do it better in one word. Eclectic.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Cypress Hill. We stood side of stage and the band kept coming over for a chat with us between songs and then midway through conversation would suddenly get in a squat position and flip straight back into performing as they walked back on stage. Was an amazing show and funny! you've got to be pros to be able to do that!

If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
At the moment it would be The Smiths and The Cure. The Smiths because it probably never will happen and The Cure so we could finally get to see them. We played a couple of the same festivals and could never fight our way out of backstage into the crowd.

Which Subcultures have influenced you?
Post-punk new wave has always massively influenced us with bands like Blondie, Talking Heads and the Ramones. More recently it's been mod mixed with goth... Errr mod goth.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Aretha Franklin. I would have crept into the room, sat in the corner and listened to her sing. I wouldn't have said a word.

Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
The Bataclan in Paris. We played there 3 nights in a row - a residency instead of playing a bigger venue. It's the perfect size. You can feel the audience in a different way. It was so sad what happened there.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
At the moment it's Sleaford Mods. More people need to know about them. Check out their performance of 'Jobseeker' on Jools Holland. Pure punk expression. Not seen that for a while.


The Ting Tings, AKA Katie White and Julian De Martino, are best known for their successful 2009 debut album ‘We Started Nothing’ giving rise to the huge hit singles ‘That’s Not My Name’ and ‘Shut Up & Let Me Go’.

The duo have released two more studio albums since their debut. Their latest album ‘The Black Light’ sees the duo take on a darker style.

04Playlist Notes

The first track you played on repeat?
As far as brainwashing myself is concerned. Sonic the Hedgehog - green hill theme tune. I was addicted to the game and completely brainwashed myself with it. Actual song-wise it was probably 'Wannabe' by The Spice Girls. I had a Spice Girls pencil case.

A song that defines the teenage you?
I really got into Talking Heads when I was about 17. They were way before my time but I remember finding them and playing 'Once In A Lifetime' on repeat.

One record you would keep forever?
The Beatles. Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club. It's in my memories and brilliant. Sometimes you can have nostalgia for something but it still isn't actually good or as good as you remembered. This is superb.

A song lyric that has inspired you?
The Smiths - 'There Is A Light That Never Goes Out'
And in the original demo he sings "there is a light in your eyes that never goes out" which is even more beautiful.

A song you wished you had written? 
'F.E.A.R' by Ian Brown. Simple and Clever. The hardest songs to write.

Best song to turn up loud?
Beyonce -'Don't Hurt Yourself' 
Gives me goosebumps when she starts shouting.

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
Adam F - 'Circles'
I listen to old drum and bass when I'm working on my laptop late at night... it relaxes me. 

The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
Cardi B. 'Bodak Yellow' or 'I Like It'. Obsessed.

Best song to end an all-nighter?
'Weird Fishes' by Radiohead.

Any new bands you are into at the moment? 
We try not to listen to too much new stuff when we are making an album. We do like Sunflower Bean. They have been around a little while.

 

05Videos

The Ting Tings - 'Estranged' (Official Video)

The Ting Tings - 'Blacklight' (Official Video)

The Ting Tings - 'Do It Again' (Official Video)