Playlist: The Ting Tings’ ‘Sounds From Nowheresville’ Inspirations

The Ting Tings’ second album “dips into ska, Eighties electro and power ballads.” Frontwoman Katie White offered up a playlist of songs that influenced her and bandmate Jules de Martino while they recorded the new set.

“Hey Ladies”: Beastie Boys
Paul’s Boutique is the best album of the Beastie Boys for us. The clever use of samples and experimentation. So, so good.

“Buffalo Gals”: Malcolm McLaren
Again, an old record that sounds so fresh now. We listened a lot to this while writing our first and second album. His boombox artwork for the album cover is stuck on the studio wall.

“Wordy Rappinghood”: Tom Tom Club
We have total respect for this band. Huge Talking Heads fans, huge Tom Tom Club fans. Funky. Tina [Weymouth] was one of the first I heard do the sing-song, talky-rappy thing! Met them while in Japan. Complete space cadets in the nicest possible way!

“Gangsta”: Tune-Yards
Watched this girl in Berlin while recording our album. Amazing voice and amazing use of loop pedals.

“Rid of Me”: PJ Harvey
So, so raw. We got obsessed with watching her perform this song live on YouTube [videos]. Just her and her guitar. Oh, and an amp.

“Creep”: TLC
My favorite Nineties girl band and a definite influence to a song of ours called “Day to Day.”

“Tusk”: Fleetwood Mac
Again, another song obsession for sitting in the studio at two in the morning. Love the whispering at the start.

“Enjoy the Silence”: Depeche Mode
Now reminds me of Berlin. The Germans love Depeche Mode! Beautiful minimalist dance.

“I Can Never Go Home Anymore”: The Shangri-Las
Sad and beautiful. We listened to this while recording “Guggenheim” up a mountain in Ibiza.

“Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)”: Nancy Sinatra
Again a YouTube obsession – kept watching old Sixties television shows on YouTube. Watch her sing “Bang Bang” with shiny eyes.

“Once in a Lifetime”: Talking Heads
Got to be one of both mine and Jules’ favourite songs. So clever. The tom in it and David Byrne’s delivery is so creative.

“Roxanne’s Revenge”: Roxanne Shante
I love the awkward girl rappy thing! Also, Debbie Harry does it brilliantly in “Rapture.” Almost so off, it’s excellent!