Ming Ming and the Ching Chings

Ming Ming and the Ching Chings is a New York-based electronic act associated with Ming and FS. The project is linked to a wide range of styles including deep house, dubstep, EDM, electro house and future house, and it is also associated with Aaron Albano, Until the Dawn and Abstract the Ism.

Background and membership

The act is identified with Ming and FS and is based in New York, United States. Ming Ming and the Ching Chings also appears in connection with turntablist Aaron Albano and the related names Until the Dawn and Abstract the Ism.

Releases and recorded work

The project’s debut single is released through Badly Built Records and features the lead track “Show Off” with the B-side “O.U.T in the West of Scotland”. The recording is produced by Thomas McNeice, known for work with El Presidente and Gang of Four. The music is described in the input as drawing on rockabilly, disco, psych pop, The Fall, The Cramps, ESG, 1970s theme tunes and Elvis Presley.

The act also issues a five-track EP titled Not In Anyone’s Gang! on Badly Built Records, available digitally and as a limited-edition CD.

Live history and collaborations

The first gig takes place at Bar Bloc in Glasgow at the end of 2007. After that, the act is booked for venues and nights including Optimo Club at the Sub Club, King Tuts Wah Wah Hut and other club shows around Scotland.

At Glasgow International Art Fair 2008, Japanese artist Tomoko Takahashi requests a collaboration. The band writes a piece that she learns and reinterprets over three weeks, with the results presented in a video work and live performance at SWG3. This leads to an invitation to perform at the Royal Academy of Arts in London in December 2008 as part of the exhibition Sawing off the branch I’m sitting on, curated by John Millar.

Recognition and appearances

In February 2009 the act wins the Scottish Arts Council-funded “Your Sound” contest at King Tuts Wah Wah Hut. It is selected as one of sixteen acts from 1,400 bands for the T-break stage at T in the Park 2009 and headlines the stage on Friday night. One track is chosen for the T-Break advert and appears on screens across the festival on the NME and main stages.

The act also appears in Converse Music’s “New Blood” section, contributes tracks to an Art/Goes/Pop compilation CD and the SFA3 Strummerville Charity Album, and is invited to play in Madrid. It also supports Future of the Left and reaches the final 20 of the Red Stripe Music Awards 2010.

Broadcast support

“Show Off” receives airplay on BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio 6, XFM, Subcity Radio, Radio Magnetic and Jim Gellatly’s New Music Podcast, and is also played by stations in Europe, New Zealand and Australia.