Tia O’Donnell

Artist — London

01Profile

A Tia O’Donnell Photo

03Interview

Name, where are you from?

Tia O’Donnell from London. 

What do you do?

I am an artist and activist-ish.

Describe your style in three words?

Confused, punk, princess. 

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?

The Specials and the 100 Club with the ledge Saffiyah Khan. Went with my mum and it was one for the books.

Which subcultures have influenced you and why?

I have always been inspired by punk attitude and I think that would explain why I’m a bit gobby. 

Of all the independent venues you’ve played, which is your favourite and why?

The best independent venue where I exhibited my work was at the Jago in Dalston, everything about this place is surprising and bubbly. 

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music and why?

He is not really unsung because everyone knows how magic he is, but I just believe he’s the bees knees. HIRA.

04Playlist Notes

The first track you played on repeat?

First ever song I played on repeat would be ‘The Lonely Bull’ by Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, was a song that my Grandpa showed me and cor blimey is it a banger.

A song that defines the teenage you?

Got to be a ‘It’s Always Like This’ by Bombay Bicycle Club. I would kiss their tour posters in my bedroom, obsessed doesn’t quite cover it. 

A song lyric that has inspired you?

‘I Don’t wanna be your dog anymore’ by No Frills, it taught me to be my own owner. 

A song you wished you had written?

‘I Wanna Be Yours’ by John Cooper Clarke. Best love song known to woman.

Best song to turn up loud?

Pull Up To The Bumper by Grace Jones. 

Best track to get ready for a night out?

Dance Little Rude Boy by Ian Dury and The Blockheads

You've got AUX privileges in the cab to town, what are you playing?

Film by Aphex Twin

The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?

The Magnificent Seven by The Clash

What's the best song you've discovered(/shazammed) on a night out?

This song literally stopped me in my tracks to desperately find out what it was. ‘I Can’t Move - Africa Express, Sibot, Mr Jukes, Moonchild Sanelly, Damon Albarn and Blue May’.

Best song to end the night?

Let me paint the scene: this song is the finale, you’ve just taken a bow, there are roses at your feet and all you can hear is people cheering and clapping. 

‘Désolé by Gorillaz ft Fatoumata Diawara’

Any new bands you are into at the moment? 

I have fallen head over heels for Lisa’s Changed from London. Their tunes have a real happy go lucky feel about them whilst ironically talking about some bleak themes. I partially chuffing love their song ‘Kreflo’.

03Interview

Name, where are you from?

Tia O’Donnell from London. 

What do you do?

I am an artist and activist-ish.

Describe your style in three words?

Confused, punk, princess. 

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?

The Specials and the 100 Club with the ledge Saffiyah Khan. Went with my mum and it was one for the books.

Which subcultures have influenced you and why?

I have always been inspired by punk attitude and I think that would explain why I’m a bit gobby. 

Of all the independent venues you’ve played, which is your favourite and why?

The best independent venue where I exhibited my work was at the Jago in Dalston, everything about this place is surprising and bubbly. 

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music and why?

He is not really unsung because everyone knows how magic he is, but I just believe he’s the bees knees. HIRA.

04Playlist Notes

The first track you played on repeat?

First ever song I played on repeat would be ‘The Lonely Bull’ by Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, was a song that my Grandpa showed me and cor blimey is it a banger.

A song that defines the teenage you?

Got to be a ‘It’s Always Like This’ by Bombay Bicycle Club. I would kiss their tour posters in my bedroom, obsessed doesn’t quite cover it. 

A song lyric that has inspired you?

‘I Don’t wanna be your dog anymore’ by No Frills, it taught me to be my own owner. 

A song you wished you had written?

‘I Wanna Be Yours’ by John Cooper Clarke. Best love song known to woman.

Best song to turn up loud?

Pull Up To The Bumper by Grace Jones. 

Best track to get ready for a night out?

Dance Little Rude Boy by Ian Dury and The Blockheads

You've got AUX privileges in the cab to town, what are you playing?

Film by Aphex Twin

The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?

The Magnificent Seven by The Clash

What's the best song you've discovered(/shazammed) on a night out?

This song literally stopped me in my tracks to desperately find out what it was. ‘I Can’t Move - Africa Express, Sibot, Mr Jukes, Moonchild Sanelly, Damon Albarn and Blue May’.

Best song to end the night?

Let me paint the scene: this song is the finale, you’ve just taken a bow, there are roses at your feet and all you can hear is people cheering and clapping. 

‘Désolé by Gorillaz ft Fatoumata Diawara’

Any new bands you are into at the moment? 

I have fallen head over heels for Lisa’s Changed from London. Their tunes have a real happy go lucky feel about them whilst ironically talking about some bleak themes. I partially chuffing love their song ‘Kreflo’.