The Bobby Bones Show – BOBBYCAST: The Ting Tings on “That’s Not My Name,” Success, Artistic Evolution, and the Value of Failure

Host: Bobby Bones
Guests: Katie White & Jules De Martino (The Ting Tings)
Release Date: September 5, 2025
Episode: 535
Podcast Network: Premiere Networks

Episode Overview

In this episode, Bobby Bones sits down for an engaging, candid conversation with The Ting Tings—Katie White and Jules De Martino—to explore their journey in music, the unexpected way their career exploded, the impact of their hit “That’s Not My Name,” pursuing new creative directions, and the importance of embracing failure along the way. The duo, joining from Spain while rehearsing for a festival, reflect on their evolution, the luck and hard work behind their break, how they stay true to themselves, and the joys and challenges of independent artistry. Bobby also delves into reading and responding to YouTube and audience feedback, giving listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the realities (and comments) of being a longtime podcast and show host.

Key Topics and Insights

1. Introductions & Setting (01:42–04:07)

• Where Are They Now?
  • The Ting Tings join from Spain as they rehearse for an upcoming festival in Portugal.
  • Bobby reminisces about their breakout hits “That’s Not My Name” and “Shut Up and Let Me Go,” notably featured in iPod commercials.
• Origin of the Name
  • The band's name comes from a Chinese coworker of Katie's—the Mandarin "Ting Ting" can mean “listening” or “bandstand.”
• Formation Story
  • The duo originated in Islington Mill, England, developing their sound in an artistic Manchester community.

2. Creative Evolution and Independence (05:21–06:34)

• Artistic Growth
  • Over 16 years as a band (20 years writing together), The Ting Tings have evolved, always writing/recording everything themselves.
  • Katie describes early influences—Talking Heads, Blondie, Ramones—but notes their constant experimentation and recent contentment in their current sound.
  • "We just love songwriting at this point. Don't care about anything else." —Katie White (06:13)

Musical Backgrounds (06:34–09:40)

• Jules on Music
  • Started with drums, inspired by his older sister’s record collection (The Police, Roxy Music).
  • Shifted to piano and guitar to become a songwriter.
  • Desire to play with a full band now: “We woke up one morning ... we wanted to be The Eagles. It’s as simple as that.” —Jules De Martino (07:56)
• Katie’s Roots
  • Grew up in the ’90s on pop (Spice Girls) but transitioned to post-punk and artistic influences after moving to Manchester.
  • Obsession with club culture, post-punk bands, and female empowerment.

3. The Importance of Failure (09:40–12:41)

• Learning from Setbacks

  • Both Jules and Katie had past projects that “did not work.”
  • Jules: “Failure is really important in your journey ... people, especially with social media, everyone's on you ... but we think that failure is really important.” (10:11)
  • They wrote a song called “Failure,” stemming from realizing the power of messing up and learning from it.

• Origins as a Duo

  • The two were introduced by a manager, didn’t like their separate projects, and soon began collaborating—eventually creating The Ting Tings.

4. Identity: Band Name & Artistic Freedom (12:41–13:29)

• What’s in a Name?
  • The duo nearly rebranded as DeMartino and White for their latest album, to signal a departure from their old sound, but kept The Ting Tings for recognition.

5. UK Music Allegiances (13:29–14:42)

• Oasis vs. Blur
  • As Manchester natives, both pick Oasis.
• Manchester’s Musical Heritage
  • The duo expresses pride in Manchester’s legacy: The Smiths, Stone Roses, New Order, The Verve, and Oasis.

6. The Unexpected Success of “That’s Not My Name” (14:42–19:11)

• Breakthrough Moment
  • The band was heavily DIY—releasing vinyl themselves, building a local scene.
  • Struggled financially: “We just couldn’t eat … but those days really count, but they don’t pay.” —Jules (15:44)
  • Explosion came after an appearance at South by Southwest—Steve Jobs personally picked “Shut Up and Let Me Go” for the iPod ad after seeing them at a tiny show.
• Chasing Their Own Hit
  • They didn’t experience the success firsthand—always touring elsewhere when each region their music broke out.
    • “We never felt like we’d really broke out ... Then three years later we came back to the UK and couldn’t believe how successful the record really had been.” —Jules (18:25)
  • Mixed feelings about pop stardom—don’t feel like “great pop stars”, more about creation than fame.

7. Embracing New Sounds and Reimagining the Past (22:14–24:39)

• New Directions: Analog Sound & Fleetwood Mac Parallels
  • Current album “Home” described as “Fleetwood Mackie,” influenced by classic bands like The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Crosby, Stills and Nash.
  • The band took inspiration from those eras, slowing down and focusing on craft.
• Live Shows, Reimagined Hits
  • Performing older hits with a nine-piece band in a new style—audiences “gasp” at the new renditions.
  • “A lot of the comments are like, ‘Oh my God, my favorite band from my teenage years has now grown up and is actually still making music...’” —Katie (24:21)

Analog Recording Process (24:33–27:11)

• Returning to Classics
  • Made the new record with vintage gear and real instruments—“playing better, writing better, learning our craft.”
  • “...music is made so quick and it’s released and it’s over so quick. We just wanted to feel more honest.” —Jules (26:02)
  • Desire to reconnect with the art form, setting up the studio like older bands.

8. Memorable Concerts and Musical Heroes (27:11–32:23)

• Favorite Concerts
  • Katie: “Steely Dan in New York” (didn’t appreciate it at the time, now obsessed).
  • Jules: Cypress Hill gig, marveling at their effortless on-stage presence.
• Greatest American Rock Stars
  • Katie: “Kurt Cobain … young people still would connect with that type of persona now.”
  • Jules: Struggles to pick but cites the influence of U.S. bands and scale of the scene.
  • Bobby and producer mention Tom Petty and The Eagles.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Evolution:
  “[On songwriting now] We just love songwriting at this point. Don't care about anything else.”
  — Katie White (06:13)

• On Failure:
  “Failure is really important in your journey ...people, especially with social media, everyone’s on you... But we think that failure is really important.”
  — Jules De Martino (10:11)

• On Missing Their Own Success:
  "We never saw success... Our friends in the UK were saying ‘God, your record is everywhere’... and we'd missed that because we’d left."
  — Jules De Martino (16:17)

• On Chasing Artistic Honesty:
  “We just wanted to feel more honest. We just wanted to feel more connected with the art form.”
  — Jules De Martino (26:02)

• On Changing Their Sound:
  "Now a lot of the comments are like, ‘Oh my God, my favorite band from my teenage years has now grown up...’ Which, you know, is a dream for us."
  — Katie White (24:21)

Important Timestamps

• Band background, formation, and name: 01:42–05:21
• Artistic evolution and member origins: 05:21–09:40
• Discussing the importance of failure: 09:40–12:41
• Rebranding consideration and maintaining independence: 12:41–13:29
• UK band allegiances & influences: 13:29–14:42
• Breakthrough at SXSW & iPod ad: 14:42–19:11
• New music and performing old hits in a new style: 22:14–24:39
• Analog recording process and band’s current philosophy: 24:33–27:11
• Favorite concerts and American rock inspirations: 27:11–32:23

YouTube Comments & Feedback – Bobby’s Reflections (35:59–end)

• Bobby on Interview Style

  • Explains why his approach is conversational, sometimes self-referential, and intentionally not a “straight interview.”
  • Acknowledges critiques—some find his style refreshing, others distracting.
    • “It can be extremely annoying to some and it can be extremely refreshing to others.” (36:38)

• Navigating Online Feedback

  • Shares YouTube comment reactions—both positive and negative—illustrating how listener perspectives vary widely.
  • Describes how he tries to engage more authentically in comment sections now: “The whole point of this was there's the comment situation and then there's me. ... It's much more positive now, I'm appreciative.” (52:13)

Tone & Atmosphere

The conversation is warm, self-effacing, and open—true to Bobby Bones’ approachable style and the Ting Tings’ playful, down-to-earth energy. Both guests and host reflect honestly about career ups and downs, the myth of overnight success, and the values that keep them grounded in a fast-moving industry.

For Listeners New and Old

This episode is an essential listen—whether you're a longtime fan of The Ting Tings, curious about the inner workings of creative reinvention, or interested in the unique perspective of artists who never felt the expected “success moment” and instead found peace and creative freedom on their own terms.

Next Week:
Bobby teases an episode with Matthew Ramsey (Old Dominion) and encourages subscribing and commenting on his YouTube channel for more behind-the-scenes and artist interviews.