IPOD
RADIO
Taryn Manning
By Jeff Markey
Jul 20, 2004
Jeff Markey: We’re at the Chateau Marmont, May 20th 2004 with Taryn Manning for SuicideGirls.
Taryn Manning: Oh, that’s what this is for?
JM:
Yeah, have you ever been?
TM:
I haven’t been there myself but a lot of my friends have gone there. It’s really popular, huh?
JM:
A million hits a month.
TM:
[Laughs.] Crazy. Why is it so popular?
JM:
A lot of hot little foxes doing their thing and saying what they want to say.
[Dog barks.]
TM:
Whoa!
JM:
What’s his name?
TM:
His name is Speakers. ‘Cuz he has gigantic ears.
JM:
I hear you’re heading to Mexico?
TM:
Yeah, I’m going to Mexico on Sunday so I’m frazzled trying to get everything together.
JM:
Where to?
TM:
Playa del Carmen? It’s right outside of Cancun.
JM:
It’s not so el touristo?
TM:
No, right outside all that crap I don’t like the thought of Cancun. It’s not really my speed. And when I come back I have two movies I’m doing this summer and—
JM:
When? What?
TM:
Let’s see. One is an independent film, which I’m starring in so that’s good. It’s about a girl who attends a private school. It’s a movie about young people struggling and learning lessons. And the second one I’m really excited about. It’s a movie called Hustle and Flow. It’s a John Singleton movie and I get to play a really cool part in that. It’s the story about a pimp who is trying to become a rap star. And I play his right hand girl… So, I’m going to go on vacation to relax before working like a maniac.
JM:
Have you been recording?
TM:
I’ve been recording. I have about eight songs done and I also just wrapped another movie I was in called A Lot Like Love with Ashton Kutcher and Amanda Peete. It’s a romantic comedy.
JM:
A little fluff?
TM:
Yeah, a little fluff… A little loot.
JM:
Uh-huh. It’s ok.
TM:
[Laughs.] Hey!
JM:
A Girl needs loot to live. What else have you been doing?
TM:
What else have I been doing? I also have a clothing line and we just launched, BORN UNIQORN. I’ve always loved clothing so I decided to start making my own with my friend Tara Jane.
Waitress: Your Margerita.
TM:
Thanks, [To waitress] I’m so sorry, can I trouble you for some water? I meant to ask you.
Waitress: Sure, no problem.
TM:
Thank you. [Pours drink] Yum. The last meeting we had we were drinking [laughs].
JM:
Yeah, it was cold we were drinking Irish coffees.
TM:
I didn’t like it. Are you guys still going to do the film?
JM:
Yes. Paul Williams (The Revolutionary, Nunzio, The November Men…) is going to direct and Brad Wyman (Monster, Freeway… ) is setting it up and producing it.
TM:
Are you serious? Have you guys cast anybody yet for any of the roles?
JM:
First, they’re getting the “names” in place to get the cash? So, then from there we’ll see what happens. It’s a pretty dark project so. It’s good to at least get it made. We’re going to bring you in for…
TM:
A reading?
JM:
Yeah.
TM:
And if I have a good reading I’ll get the part?
JM:
Yeah, something like that… It’s all up to the director at that point.
TM:
What’s your shooting like? What start date you’re shooting for?
JM:
They’re saying September, October. But you know how that is, nothing is definite.
TM:
Yeah, November, December, January…
JM:
I’ve been working on this for fucking three years.
TM:
It’s unbelievable, huh? You wrote it, right?
JM:
I wrote it and I’m playing one of the lead males…
TM:
I like your scripts, they’re dope.
JM:
Thanks.
TM:
Are you working on anything now?
JM:
I am. I want to write something for you in it… Maybe bring you in to work on some scenes and dialogue. Would you be into that?
TM:
Yeah, absolutely. Tell me where and when.
JM:
Great. So anyway...
TM:
Yeah?
JM:
Back to you. That’s why we’re here.
TM:
What else do you want to know?
JM:
I want to ask you this. You’re an actor.
TM:
Mm-hmm.
JM:
Musician. And dancer.
TM:
Mm-hmm.
JM:
So, I won’t put you on the spot. Okay, I will. What do you prefer?
TM:
It’s so crazy because when my music career’s kind of at a lull my acting career’s good. I love them both I got to say that the music is so much harder. It’s been really hard to get my music career totally off the ground. As far as passion goes, I’m really passionate about the music because I haven’t gotten it to the level that I want it. My acting career is going really well right now but music is all I can think about. I love to sing. I love to sing and I love music videos and everything that goes into it.
JM:
That’s how I came to know you. Three o’clock in the morning watching Launch, The wreckoning. I thought, “That girl has got some fire.”
TM:
Yeah. That was really cool. I love that. I remember when we got that call. I thought that was so rad. Someone noticed me for my music. It’s tough to decide. I probably have to say that I love my music because it’s just mine. When you’re doing a movie you got the director hounding you and the writer—everyone’s right there. The producers are staring at you, giving their ideas and the director has his idea.
JM:
A big collaboration versus a project where you can just do your thing?
TM:
Yeah, that’s the best part. You know, sometimes making a film can be really stressful. It can be fun but you get a lot of feedback that can be stifling and you end up not doing what you wanted to… In my music I don’t feel stifled. I feel it’s all mine. I can say what I want, dress how I want and it’s just mine. It’s my movie, you know?
[Patrons and another dog.]
Patron: [Laughs] My dog loves other dogs.
TM:
Oh yeah, my dog loves other dogs. [Laughs]
Patron: Sorry, sorry, sorry. My dog’s a spaz.
TM:
That’s okay. My dog’s a spaz.
(Dog’s barking and jumping on each other)
TM:
(To dog) We’re going to put you in your purse. In your purse! Move in.
JM:
Are you going to stuff him in there?
TM:
Yeah. (to Dog) Go! He’s distracting me… He’ll start barking away in a second.
JM:
You’re from... Tuscon?
TM:
I grew up there until I was twelve or thirteen and then I moved to San Diego and then Long Beach—
JM:
What part of San Diego?
TM:
Cardiff by the Sea. I love it down there. After I moved out of Tucson and moved to California that’s when my life began. A whole other world opened. And Tucson is hot. It’s Ridiculous.
(long pause)
JM:
I’m trying to think of something to ask you because I found out this interview was going to happen three hours ago.
TM:
Oh, really? Oh my God. I’m sorry. That sucks.
JM:
That’s all right.
TM:
Well... What’s the angle?
JM:
I have an idea just say whatever you want to.
TM:
(laughs) Hey, well... whatever you want to know.
JM:
You’re going to have a lot of hot little foxes looking at you and reading this and a lot of guys too…
TM:
Really? So what picture are you going to use?
JM:
The one I’m going to take right now…
(Pulls out camera and shoots)
TM:
Oh you’re kidding! Really! You’re going to use that? Oh no—
JM:
They probably won’t use it…
TM:
[Laughs] They probably will though knowing my luck. I could send you something.
JM:
Do you use email?
TM:
Yes.
JM:
Check out this camera though.
TM:
Oh, you want to show off, huh?
JM:
No, no, no.
TM:
[Laughs]
JM:
It’s taking a video right now.
TM:
Oh, it is? Hey, video!
JM:
Lets see if I captured it... [Video plays.]
TM:
That’s cute. Put that on the web site. A moving picture. That could be cute. I could be like, “What’s up, Suicide Girls?” You’re here with Taryn Manning. Learn a little ditty about me.
JM:
Ok, do that again. Maybe they’ll use it.
TM:
What’s up, Suicide Girls? You’re sitting here with Taryn Manning—
JM:
At the Chateau Marmont.
TM:
At the Chateau Marmont. And you know you can learn a little ditty about me if you read on.
TM:
When I get back from Playa Carmen, I’m actually doing a Chicklet Gum campaign which is funny because I’m going to Mexico then I’m coming back to do a Chicklet Gum campaign. They have two new flavors and want to advertise it and they’ve chosen me to be their spokesperson. I’ll be going to go to New York and Philadelphia and Chicago and putting on dance competitions for kids and amateurs.
JM:
Cute. Chicklets! When I was sixteen, seventeen we used to sneak across the border into Tijuana and go drinking because you only had to be eighteen which actually meant you only had to be thirteen and have a little money. When we would cross back over the border little Mexican girls would yell, “Chicklet, Chicklet, Chicklet.” and we would overpay and buy gobs of it.
TM:
Wouldn’t that be a great commercial? A bunch of Mexican kids going like, “Chicklet, Chicklet, Chicklet!” at the cameras? Instead they got (me) this little white girl.
JM:
Yeah, that would be sweet. I guess they’re going after a different demographic and don’t think those 6 year old peasant children can sell their product. What kind of music are you into and listening to now?
TM:
Oh, let’s see. I just went to see Peaches. She’s raw, vulgar but funny. I just saw her perform and I got excited and went out and bought her CD. I got the new D-12 ‘cuz I wanted to check out the whole CD. And Air. I like Modest Mouse… And then I got the new Vines. I don’t know if you know them.
JM:
I like The Vines. The video for Outta the Way kicks ass.
TM:
They’re the shit. I like his voice. I always appreciate good vocalists. Especially when a boy can hit really high notes. So I’m into that. I’m still into the latest Radiohead. And I rock to that new channel 103.1 a lot… it’s so good.
JM:
That radio station saved music in LA. It was so bad. Jesus Christ, it was like, “Give us something besides this homogenized, pasteurized, replayed crap!”
TM:
God, Dude, I’m like, thank you! It’s great. And they play everything across the board. They pull out some great things… new and old. I love 89.9 in the evening.
JM:
Also, 88.1. It’s a jazz station but on the weekends they play old blues from noon to 4pm. Leadbelly, Muddy Waters. Howling Wolf, R.L. Burnside…
TM:
Nice. I need that. I love the blues. I’m always trying to listen... My best time to write music is when I’m driving. Stuck in traffic. And a lot of times the way that we’ll write is that my brother or I will get a beat from a CD and write over a melody. So I’m always listening to my future song in a way.
JM:
What’s your process? How do you write music?
TM:
If I write a song. I mean, fully write a song I’ll just strum some chords. I get all the chords together and keep playing that again and again and again until I hear that melody and usually the chords, the chords create a feeling?
JM:
So, you write the melody before you write the lyrics?
TM:
Yeah, yeah... Or sometimes, I’ll have one hot lyric. Just one. And I’ll write all around that.
JM:
When are we going to get a chance to hear some new music from Boomkat?
TM:
Well, I’m trying to write a song right now for two TV shows. A couple of producers for TV pilots called me and said we love your voice, we’ve always loved your music. We really love The Wreckoning…
JM:
Selling out to TV?
TM:
I don’t know. I don’t know, am I? I don’t know what road to take any more.
JM:
Girl’s got to make a living.
TM:
Yes! You know it comes to a certain point where I know I’m cool and anything that I do will represent, and that might sound kind of cocky but you just got to believe in yourself. And there are so many roads to trying to get your music heard. Everyone and his sister have a band. And everyone’s band is really good because it’s all-unique. Not everything is good but there’s so much unique music it’s so hard these days to really break through. And TV… there’s so many people who watch TV.
JM:
And if someone wants to listen why not expose them?
TM:
Yeah. Whatever we put in there, it’ll be cool and different. And we’ve already attempted a couple of songs for one show. We wrote two hot songs and they didn’t want it. They were like, “Eh, it’s not going to work.”
JM:
Do you still have the songs?
TM:
Yeah, we still have the songs and they couldn’t hear that it would work. But now we have two hot songs.
JM:
Have you been watching the news?
TM:
A little bit. What subject are you referring to?
JM:
There’s something happening in the Middle East.
TM:
There is?
JM:
[Laughs] Yeah.
TM:
Oh goodness. What are you--? You want my opinion on it?
JM:
Yeah. Come on Taryn.
TM:
I’m not good at that kind of stuff. I think sometimes I’m too stupid to answer questions like that. I just... How do you feel about it? You tell me first.
JM:
Oh man, okay… I’m not a politician but I think any time you have something like this, a war; it’s a no-win situation. But going out there and putting my balls on the line to be castrated I’d say, what the fuck are we doing there? There are no weapons of mass destruction. Then why are we there? The reasons that we’re given from the government don’t make sense. Saddam Hussein was a horrific leader. But it seems to me that we should have taken the time to make a better plan. I don’t believe in pre-emptive war. That’s just a back-asswards oxymoron. I don’t believe Iraq was a threat to America. And now it feels like we’ve been sucked into a part of the world that is constantly at war. A “holy war.” I wonder whose side God or the Absolute Entity is on. And if we’re bombing an oil rich country and sending our young men and women over there to die shouldn’t gas prices at least be lower? How about $1.25 rather than $2.50? But on the other hand, do I have a solution? Do I have a solution now? I don’t. We’re already there. What do we do? I’m proud of most the young people serving. But I can also understand why the Middle East is pissed off at us. What do the Iraqi people have to live for at the moment? Their home is being attacked by something they may not be able to comprehend. And our men and women who are teenagers or in their early twenties with their families being torn apart here for something…
TM:
And who joined and were expecting to get an education. A lot of them are married, you know? I don’t know. I just don’t get it. It’s wrong that we go into a whole other country and try to switch them over to how we live here as if that’s absolutely right for them.
JM:
I love my country but it doesn’t mean I have to agree with what we’re doing or we went about doing it.
TM:
What if someone tried to rearrange us? You know?
JM:
I think they did that on September 11th.
TM:
That’s what I’m saying. Now it’s like Revenge! Us stupid Americans.
JM:
I read a poll that said more than 70% of Americans thought that Iraq flew the planes into the world trade center towers. IRAQ DID NOT FLY THE PLANES INTO THE WORLD TRADE CENTER.
TM:
Unbelievable. Yeah, I know. It’s like; we’ll show you guys! It’s like any war… This whole world’s tragic.
JM:
What inspires you?
TM:
In general?
JM:
In general. In music or in acting or in life?
TM:
You know what inspires me? When I’m working, I’m more inspired. When I’m doing everything I love to do and it’s all going good, that inspires me. Work is a condition for more work for me. Whereas if I’m in a lull I lose some inspiration because I feel like, what do I have to work for right now, you know? But the whole trick is, when times are down to keep working for when they’re back. Then you’re prepared for when they’re up. Other artists inspire me. Acting cool or dressing cool. Because I want to be cool or more unique or also always find love whether it’s the good part of it or the shitty part of it. Love always gets me going.
JM:
What’s the good part of love?
TM:
Love, it’s so confusing. I recently got out of a three-year relationship. And I’m not really one to rush into other relationships. I like to take a minute and learn. I’ve been dating other people.
JM:
So, you’re single right now?
TM:
Yeah. But it’s not making me feel much better. There’s this one kid. I can’t explain it to you. I have a great time but I’m just not ready to go there. But I can’t find the words to communicate that to him.
JM:
You’re stringing him along.
TM:
I don’t know the kid. Maybe further down the road I will. I’m having fun out there in the world.
JM:
You got to tell him.
TM:
I kind of told him, I kind of told him.
JM:
How did you tell him?
TM:
I said, um . . . I told him. He asked me, “Can I ask you a question” and I said, “What?” And he said, “Are you seeing other people?” and I was like, “Yeah, I am.” And I could tell. He was like, “Oh.” It was so sad! But I didn’t realize it! I was just being myself. Some people really might want a girlfriend. I’m having fun myself. But my ex-boyfriend of three years provoked a lot of songwriting. Sadness, anger, confusion jealousy. That what brought out The Reckoning. You remember that song?
JM:
Hot song. Kicked ass.
TM:
I was like, damn! It took forever to sell it to a record company.
JM:
I thought it was a good video. It wasn’t overproduced. It was like bam! You’re a hot little chick swinging around on a wrecking ball… Were you actually on that ball?
TM:
Yes.
JM:
You were clipped in I hope?
TM:
Only on one side. The whole left was dangling around.
JM:
I need a cocktail. I’m ready to for another cocktail
TM:
This is a very good Margarita by the way.
JM:
I’m going to have one then, a Cadillac.
TM:
I can’t mix my alcohol.
JM:
I do that and I get a really—
TM:
Terrible headache.
JM:
It’s not the headache. It’s the next day.
TM:
Throwing up you mean?
JM:
No, the bad hangover. It’s like, aww, shit!
TM:
That’s a hangover, dude. If you’re not throwing up but you have a headache. Overall feeling of—
JM:
It’s that feeling of you want to eat all the greasy food possible.
TM:
Oh yeah.
JM:
Like nothing can quench your hunger. You keep eating and putting things in but it doesn’t make you feel any better. (to waiter) Can I get a cocktail though?
Waiter: Of course.
JM:
A Cadillac Margarita.
TM:
Yeah! Anyway, where were we?
JM:
Uh ... we were on your love life.
TM:
Oh, that’s boring.
JM:
No, people love that shit.
TM:
Really? What else can I say?
JM:
People can go to Suicide Girls and do profiles on themselves. Basically, these are the questions on there. I didn’t make these up. Some of them are pretty raw, sexual. What inspires you? What turns you on? What turns you off? Favorite… you know?
TM:
So you want to ask me all those kind of things?
JM:
If you want to. I don’t want to offend you.
TM:
I like the idea of the profiles. Turn on and turn offs. Great shoes. Great style. I don’t know who I think I am. [Laughs]
JM:
Give it up.
TM:
I like to be seen. Everyone likes to be seen. Let’s see, I like nice hands on a guy. Strong, good, hands. Funny. Something that really turns me on is, um, this is really a little weird but I love it when a guy spends the night and when we wake up he makes my bed. [Laughs].
JM:
I think that’s more of a fetish. You have a bed-making fetish.
TM:
I don’t mean I get turned on like, “Come here now make my bed…
JM:
You’re like, “Go make my bed, bitch.”
TM:
[Laughs] Yeah… Let me watch. Turn offs for me. I hate it when a guy drives really fast. I think it’s lame. If I go on a date and the guy’s driving too fast trying to floss and…
JM:
Trying to floss?
TM:
Yeah. What’s the point, you know? You’re having a good time; we’re going out to a nice, relaxing dinner—
JM:
I don’t know what floss is…
TM:
Floss is trying to show off, you know?
JM:
Got it… I guess I’m not down with the entire lingo…
TM:
Trying to be cool. You know what I mean? Is that weird?
JM:
No. I like to floss when I’m by myself. (pause) It’s a joke.
TM:
[Laughs] I know.
JM:
I guess it wasn’t very funny.
TM:
(laughs) No. Do you drive very fast?
JM:
Sometimes but only if I’m in a hurry. I don’t know how driving fast is going to help my chances to get a girl unless I’m on the way to see her and I’m late.
TM:
That’s what I’m sayin’. I hate it. And I don’t really like smoking now. I just quit smoking and I smoked for a really long time and I never thought I’d be anti but I prefer a guy who doesn’t smoke. What else are in these profiles?
JM:
You don’t have to answer these but this is… I didn’t make this up. How old were you and where were you when you lost your virginity is in there.
TM:
Sixteen, in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand. That’s a funny story. I was sixteen and the boy was eighteen and he ran down to the gift store for condoms and I was so paranoid, so inexperienced that I made him wear all three. [Laughs] Classic, right? All three!
JM:
That’s challenging.
TM:
I know! But I didn’t know. I was like, “No, another, I’m scared, I don’t want anything to happen.” I’ve always been paranoid of… I’ve always been really safe. I never wanted to end up with a problem. Like a pregnancy or something I have to deal with? I saw so many girls go through that and it changed their lives.
JM:
Do you want children?
TM:
Yeah, I do. But when I get pregnant I want to be ready to have a child.
JM:
That seems reasonable.
TM:
Yeah. I don’t want to deal with any of that crap. So what else are in these profiles? What age, where . . .
JM:
Yeah. They have a bunch of stuff, some good ones too. I can’t remember them all, Vices… favorite positions…
TM:
All of them. Whatever works… I’ve found I’ve had much more fun when I’m drunk and I have sex. I experiment, fewer inhibitions. It’s fun.
JM:
I’ll go get ready to go make your bed.
TM:
HA! Isn’t that great? What else?
JM:
Well, we have plenty here; I should let you go.
TM:
You can always call me if you have any more questions.
JM:
Thanks
TM:
When does it come out?
JM:
After I get it to them probably a couple of weeks.
TM:
Do you only write for this web site?
JM:
I write for a magazine too but I’ve had experiences where the magazine will butcher the interview.
TM:
Oh God!
JM:
Yeah! I’m just trying to keep it as pure as possible. I prefer Suicide Girls. The internet is much freer. Sometimes a magazine wants to lock you into their agenda.
TM:
Yeah, yeah! Dude, I’ve been so fucked over. I mean, downright, I’ve gotten in trouble because of things came out of my mouth one way and then were reworked to put some spin on it. It’s just ridiculous.
JM:
Thanks for coming out.
TM:
No, thank you. I’m so glad I got to meet up with you again. Call me if you have any more questions. And let me know when it’s up so I can check out the site.
Jeff Markey: We’re at the Chateau Marmont, May 20th 2004 with Taryn Manning for SuicideGirls.
Taryn Manning: Oh, that’s what this is for?
JM:
Yeah, have you ever been?
TM:
I haven’t been there myself but a lot of my friends have gone there. It’s really popular, huh?
JM:
A million hits a month.
TM:
[Laughs.] Crazy. Why is it so popular?
JM:
A lot of hot little foxes doing their thing and saying what they want to say.
[Dog barks.]
[Dog barks.]
TM:
Whoa!
JM:
What’s his name?
TM:
His name is Speakers. ‘Cuz he has gigantic ears.
JM:
I hear you’re heading to Mexico?
TM:
Yeah, I’m going to Mexico on Sunday so I’m frazzled trying to get everything together.
JM:
Where to?
TM:
Playa del Carmen? It’s right outside of Cancun.
JM:
It’s not so el touristo?
TM:
No, right outside all that crap I don’t like the thought of Cancun. It’s not really my speed. And when I come back I have two movies I’m doing this summer and—
JM:
When? What?
TM:
Let’s see. One is an independent film, which I’m starring in so that’s good. It’s about a girl who attends a private school. It’s a movie about young people struggling and learning lessons. And the second one I’m really excited about. It’s a movie called Hustle and Flow. It’s a John Singleton movie and I get to play a really cool part in that. It’s the story about a pimp who is trying to become a rap star. And I play his right hand girl… So, I’m going to go on vacation to relax before working like a maniac.
JM:
Have you been recording?
TM:
I’ve been recording. I have about eight songs done and I also just wrapped another movie I was in called A Lot Like Love with Ashton Kutcher and Amanda Peete. It’s a romantic comedy.
JM:
A little fluff?
TM:
Yeah, a little fluff… A little loot.
JM:
Uh-huh. It’s ok.
TM:
[Laughs.] Hey!
JM:
A Girl needs loot to live. What else have you been doing?
TM:
What else have I been doing? I also have a clothing line and we just launched, BORN UNIQORN. I’ve always loved clothing so I decided to start making my own with my friend Tara Jane.
Waitress: Your Margerita.
TM:
Thanks, [To waitress] I’m so sorry, can I trouble you for some water? I meant to ask you.
Waitress: Sure, no problem.
TM:
Thank you. [Pours drink] Yum. The last meeting we had we were drinking [laughs].
JM:
Yeah, it was cold we were drinking Irish coffees.
TM:
I didn’t like it. Are you guys still going to do the film?
JM:
Yes. Paul Williams (The Revolutionary, Nunzio, The November Men…) is going to direct and Brad Wyman (Monster, Freeway… ) is setting it up and producing it.
TM:
Are you serious? Have you guys cast anybody yet for any of the roles?
JM:
First, they’re getting the “names” in place to get the cash? So, then from there we’ll see what happens. It’s a pretty dark project so. It’s good to at least get it made. We’re going to bring you in for…
TM:
A reading?
JM:
Yeah.
TM:
And if I have a good reading I’ll get the part?
JM:
Yeah, something like that… It’s all up to the director at that point.
TM:
What’s your shooting like? What start date you’re shooting for?
JM:
They’re saying September, October. But you know how that is, nothing is definite.
TM:
Yeah, November, December, January…
JM:
I’ve been working on this for fucking three years.
TM:
It’s unbelievable, huh? You wrote it, right?
JM:
I wrote it and I’m playing one of the lead males…
TM:
I like your scripts, they’re dope.
JM:
Thanks.
TM:
Are you working on anything now?
JM:
I am. I want to write something for you in it… Maybe bring you in to work on some scenes and dialogue. Would you be into that?
TM:
Yeah, absolutely. Tell me where and when.
JM:
Great. So anyway...
TM:
Yeah?
JM:
Back to you. That’s why we’re here.
TM:
What else do you want to know?
JM:
I want to ask you this. You’re an actor.
TM:
Mm-hmm.
JM:
Musician. And dancer.
TM:
Mm-hmm.
JM:
So, I won’t put you on the spot. Okay, I will. What do you prefer?
TM:
It’s so crazy because when my music career’s kind of at a lull my acting career’s good. I love them both I got to say that the music is so much harder. It’s been really hard to get my music career totally off the ground. As far as passion goes, I’m really passionate about the music because I haven’t gotten it to the level that I want it. My acting career is going really well right now but music is all I can think about. I love to sing. I love to sing and I love music videos and everything that goes into it.
JM:
That’s how I came to know you. Three o’clock in the morning watching Launch, The wreckoning. I thought, “That girl has got some fire.”
TM:
Yeah. That was really cool. I love that. I remember when we got that call. I thought that was so rad. Someone noticed me for my music. It’s tough to decide. I probably have to say that I love my music because it’s just mine. When you’re doing a movie you got the director hounding you and the writer—everyone’s right there. The producers are staring at you, giving their ideas and the director has his idea.
JM:
A big collaboration versus a project where you can just do your thing?
TM:
Yeah, that’s the best part. You know, sometimes making a film can be really stressful. It can be fun but you get a lot of feedback that can be stifling and you end up not doing what you wanted to… In my music I don’t feel stifled. I feel it’s all mine. I can say what I want, dress how I want and it’s just mine. It’s my movie, you know?
[Patrons and another dog.]
Patron: [Laughs] My dog loves other dogs.
[Patrons and another dog.]
Patron: [Laughs] My dog loves other dogs.
TM:
Oh yeah, my dog loves other dogs. [Laughs]
Patron: Sorry, sorry, sorry. My dog’s a spaz.
Patron: Sorry, sorry, sorry. My dog’s a spaz.
TM:
That’s okay. My dog’s a spaz.
(Dog’s barking and jumping on each other)
(Dog’s barking and jumping on each other)
TM:
(To dog) We’re going to put you in your purse. In your purse! Move in.
JM:
Are you going to stuff him in there?
TM:
Yeah. (to Dog) Go! He’s distracting me… He’ll start barking away in a second.
JM:
You’re from... Tuscon?
TM:
I grew up there until I was twelve or thirteen and then I moved to San Diego and then Long Beach—
JM:
What part of San Diego?
TM:
Cardiff by the Sea. I love it down there. After I moved out of Tucson and moved to California that’s when my life began. A whole other world opened. And Tucson is hot. It’s Ridiculous.
(long pause)
(long pause)
JM:
I’m trying to think of something to ask you because I found out this interview was going to happen three hours ago.
TM:
Oh, really? Oh my God. I’m sorry. That sucks.
JM:
That’s all right.
TM:
Well... What’s the angle?
JM:
I have an idea just say whatever you want to.
TM:
(laughs) Hey, well... whatever you want to know.
JM:
You’re going to have a lot of hot little foxes looking at you and reading this and a lot of guys too…
TM:
Really? So what picture are you going to use?
JM:
The one I’m going to take right now…
(Pulls out camera and shoots)
(Pulls out camera and shoots)
TM:
Oh you’re kidding! Really! You’re going to use that? Oh no—
JM:
They probably won’t use it…
TM:
[Laughs] They probably will though knowing my luck. I could send you something.
JM:
Do you use email?
TM:
Yes.
JM:
Check out this camera though.
TM:
Oh, you want to show off, huh?
JM:
No, no, no.
TM:
[Laughs]
JM:
It’s taking a video right now.
TM:
Oh, it is? Hey, video!
JM:
Lets see if I captured it... [Video plays.]
TM:
That’s cute. Put that on the web site. A moving picture. That could be cute. I could be like, “What’s up, Suicide Girls?” You’re here with Taryn Manning. Learn a little ditty about me.
JM:
Ok, do that again. Maybe they’ll use it.
TM:
What’s up, Suicide Girls? You’re sitting here with Taryn Manning—
JM:
At the Chateau Marmont.
TM:
At the Chateau Marmont. And you know you can learn a little ditty about me if you read on.
TM:
When I get back from Playa Carmen, I’m actually doing a Chicklet Gum campaign which is funny because I’m going to Mexico then I’m coming back to do a Chicklet Gum campaign. They have two new flavors and want to advertise it and they’ve chosen me to be their spokesperson. I’ll be going to go to New York and Philadelphia and Chicago and putting on dance competitions for kids and amateurs.
JM:
Cute. Chicklets! When I was sixteen, seventeen we used to sneak across the border into Tijuana and go drinking because you only had to be eighteen which actually meant you only had to be thirteen and have a little money. When we would cross back over the border little Mexican girls would yell, “Chicklet, Chicklet, Chicklet.” and we would overpay and buy gobs of it.
TM:
Wouldn’t that be a great commercial? A bunch of Mexican kids going like, “Chicklet, Chicklet, Chicklet!” at the cameras? Instead they got (me) this little white girl.
JM:
Yeah, that would be sweet. I guess they’re going after a different demographic and don’t think those 6 year old peasant children can sell their product. What kind of music are you into and listening to now?
TM:
Oh, let’s see. I just went to see Peaches. She’s raw, vulgar but funny. I just saw her perform and I got excited and went out and bought her CD. I got the new D-12 ‘cuz I wanted to check out the whole CD. And Air. I like Modest Mouse… And then I got the new Vines. I don’t know if you know them.
JM:
I like The Vines. The video for Outta the Way kicks ass.
TM:
They’re the shit. I like his voice. I always appreciate good vocalists. Especially when a boy can hit really high notes. So I’m into that. I’m still into the latest Radiohead. And I rock to that new channel 103.1 a lot… it’s so good.
JM:
That radio station saved music in LA. It was so bad. Jesus Christ, it was like, “Give us something besides this homogenized, pasteurized, replayed crap!”
TM:
God, Dude, I’m like, thank you! It’s great. And they play everything across the board. They pull out some great things… new and old. I love 89.9 in the evening.
JM:
Also, 88.1. It’s a jazz station but on the weekends they play old blues from noon to 4pm. Leadbelly, Muddy Waters. Howling Wolf, R.L. Burnside…
TM:
Nice. I need that. I love the blues. I’m always trying to listen... My best time to write music is when I’m driving. Stuck in traffic. And a lot of times the way that we’ll write is that my brother or I will get a beat from a CD and write over a melody. So I’m always listening to my future song in a way.
JM:
What’s your process? How do you write music?
TM:
If I write a song. I mean, fully write a song I’ll just strum some chords. I get all the chords together and keep playing that again and again and again until I hear that melody and usually the chords, the chords create a feeling?
JM:
So, you write the melody before you write the lyrics?
TM:
Yeah, yeah... Or sometimes, I’ll have one hot lyric. Just one. And I’ll write all around that.
JM:
When are we going to get a chance to hear some new music from Boomkat?
TM:
Well, I’m trying to write a song right now for two TV shows. A couple of producers for TV pilots called me and said we love your voice, we’ve always loved your music. We really love The Wreckoning…
JM:
Selling out to TV?
TM:
I don’t know. I don’t know, am I? I don’t know what road to take any more.
JM:
Girl’s got to make a living.
TM:
Yes! You know it comes to a certain point where I know I’m cool and anything that I do will represent, and that might sound kind of cocky but you just got to believe in yourself. And there are so many roads to trying to get your music heard. Everyone and his sister have a band. And everyone’s band is really good because it’s all-unique. Not everything is good but there’s so much unique music it’s so hard these days to really break through. And TV… there’s so many people who watch TV.
JM:
And if someone wants to listen why not expose them?
TM:
Yeah. Whatever we put in there, it’ll be cool and different. And we’ve already attempted a couple of songs for one show. We wrote two hot songs and they didn’t want it. They were like, “Eh, it’s not going to work.”
JM:
Do you still have the songs?
TM:
Yeah, we still have the songs and they couldn’t hear that it would work. But now we have two hot songs.
JM:
Have you been watching the news?
TM:
A little bit. What subject are you referring to?
JM:
There’s something happening in the Middle East.
TM:
There is?
JM:
[Laughs] Yeah.
TM:
Oh goodness. What are you--? You want my opinion on it?
JM:
Yeah. Come on Taryn.
TM:
I’m not good at that kind of stuff. I think sometimes I’m too stupid to answer questions like that. I just... How do you feel about it? You tell me first.
JM:
Oh man, okay… I’m not a politician but I think any time you have something like this, a war; it’s a no-win situation. But going out there and putting my balls on the line to be castrated I’d say, what the fuck are we doing there? There are no weapons of mass destruction. Then why are we there? The reasons that we’re given from the government don’t make sense. Saddam Hussein was a horrific leader. But it seems to me that we should have taken the time to make a better plan. I don’t believe in pre-emptive war. That’s just a back-asswards oxymoron. I don’t believe Iraq was a threat to America. And now it feels like we’ve been sucked into a part of the world that is constantly at war. A “holy war.” I wonder whose side God or the Absolute Entity is on. And if we’re bombing an oil rich country and sending our young men and women over there to die shouldn’t gas prices at least be lower? How about $1.25 rather than $2.50? But on the other hand, do I have a solution? Do I have a solution now? I don’t. We’re already there. What do we do? I’m proud of most the young people serving. But I can also understand why the Middle East is pissed off at us. What do the Iraqi people have to live for at the moment? Their home is being attacked by something they may not be able to comprehend. And our men and women who are teenagers or in their early twenties with their families being torn apart here for something…
TM:
And who joined and were expecting to get an education. A lot of them are married, you know? I don’t know. I just don’t get it. It’s wrong that we go into a whole other country and try to switch them over to how we live here as if that’s absolutely right for them.
JM:
I love my country but it doesn’t mean I have to agree with what we’re doing or we went about doing it.
TM:
What if someone tried to rearrange us? You know?
JM:
I think they did that on September 11th.
TM:
That’s what I’m saying. Now it’s like Revenge! Us stupid Americans.
JM:
I read a poll that said more than 70% of Americans thought that Iraq flew the planes into the world trade center towers. IRAQ DID NOT FLY THE PLANES INTO THE WORLD TRADE CENTER.
TM:
Unbelievable. Yeah, I know. It’s like; we’ll show you guys! It’s like any war… This whole world’s tragic.
JM:
What inspires you?
TM:
In general?
JM:
In general. In music or in acting or in life?
TM:
You know what inspires me? When I’m working, I’m more inspired. When I’m doing everything I love to do and it’s all going good, that inspires me. Work is a condition for more work for me. Whereas if I’m in a lull I lose some inspiration because I feel like, what do I have to work for right now, you know? But the whole trick is, when times are down to keep working for when they’re back. Then you’re prepared for when they’re up. Other artists inspire me. Acting cool or dressing cool. Because I want to be cool or more unique or also always find love whether it’s the good part of it or the shitty part of it. Love always gets me going.
JM:
What’s the good part of love?
TM:
Love, it’s so confusing. I recently got out of a three-year relationship. And I’m not really one to rush into other relationships. I like to take a minute and learn. I’ve been dating other people.
JM:
So, you’re single right now?
TM:
Yeah. But it’s not making me feel much better. There’s this one kid. I can’t explain it to you. I have a great time but I’m just not ready to go there. But I can’t find the words to communicate that to him.
JM:
You’re stringing him along.
TM:
I don’t know the kid. Maybe further down the road I will. I’m having fun out there in the world.
JM:
You got to tell him.
TM:
I kind of told him, I kind of told him.
JM:
How did you tell him?
TM:
I said, um . . . I told him. He asked me, “Can I ask you a question” and I said, “What?” And he said, “Are you seeing other people?” and I was like, “Yeah, I am.” And I could tell. He was like, “Oh.” It was so sad! But I didn’t realize it! I was just being myself. Some people really might want a girlfriend. I’m having fun myself. But my ex-boyfriend of three years provoked a lot of songwriting. Sadness, anger, confusion jealousy. That what brought out The Reckoning. You remember that song?
JM:
Hot song. Kicked ass.
TM:
I was like, damn! It took forever to sell it to a record company.
JM:
I thought it was a good video. It wasn’t overproduced. It was like bam! You’re a hot little chick swinging around on a wrecking ball… Were you actually on that ball?
TM:
Yes.
JM:
You were clipped in I hope?
TM:
Only on one side. The whole left was dangling around.
JM:
I need a cocktail. I’m ready to for another cocktail
TM:
This is a very good Margarita by the way.
JM:
I’m going to have one then, a Cadillac.
TM:
I can’t mix my alcohol.
JM:
I do that and I get a really—
TM:
Terrible headache.
JM:
It’s not the headache. It’s the next day.
TM:
Throwing up you mean?
JM:
No, the bad hangover. It’s like, aww, shit!
TM:
That’s a hangover, dude. If you’re not throwing up but you have a headache. Overall feeling of—
JM:
It’s that feeling of you want to eat all the greasy food possible.
TM:
Oh yeah.
JM:
Like nothing can quench your hunger. You keep eating and putting things in but it doesn’t make you feel any better. (to waiter) Can I get a cocktail though?
Waiter: Of course.
Waiter: Of course.
JM:
A Cadillac Margarita.
TM:
Yeah! Anyway, where were we?
JM:
Uh ... we were on your love life.
TM:
Oh, that’s boring.
JM:
No, people love that shit.
TM:
Really? What else can I say?
JM:
People can go to Suicide Girls and do profiles on themselves. Basically, these are the questions on there. I didn’t make these up. Some of them are pretty raw, sexual. What inspires you? What turns you on? What turns you off? Favorite… you know?
TM:
So you want to ask me all those kind of things?
JM:
If you want to. I don’t want to offend you.
TM:
I like the idea of the profiles. Turn on and turn offs. Great shoes. Great style. I don’t know who I think I am. [Laughs]
JM:
Give it up.
TM:
I like to be seen. Everyone likes to be seen. Let’s see, I like nice hands on a guy. Strong, good, hands. Funny. Something that really turns me on is, um, this is really a little weird but I love it when a guy spends the night and when we wake up he makes my bed. [Laughs].
JM:
I think that’s more of a fetish. You have a bed-making fetish.
TM:
I don’t mean I get turned on like, “Come here now make my bed…
JM:
You’re like, “Go make my bed, bitch.”
TM:
[Laughs] Yeah… Let me watch. Turn offs for me. I hate it when a guy drives really fast. I think it’s lame. If I go on a date and the guy’s driving too fast trying to floss and…
JM:
Trying to floss?
TM:
Yeah. What’s the point, you know? You’re having a good time; we’re going out to a nice, relaxing dinner—
JM:
I don’t know what floss is…
TM:
Floss is trying to show off, you know?
JM:
Got it… I guess I’m not down with the entire lingo…
TM:
Trying to be cool. You know what I mean? Is that weird?
JM:
No. I like to floss when I’m by myself. (pause) It’s a joke.
TM:
[Laughs] I know.
JM:
I guess it wasn’t very funny.
TM:
(laughs) No. Do you drive very fast?
JM:
Sometimes but only if I’m in a hurry. I don’t know how driving fast is going to help my chances to get a girl unless I’m on the way to see her and I’m late.
TM:
That’s what I’m sayin’. I hate it. And I don’t really like smoking now. I just quit smoking and I smoked for a really long time and I never thought I’d be anti but I prefer a guy who doesn’t smoke. What else are in these profiles?
JM:
You don’t have to answer these but this is… I didn’t make this up. How old were you and where were you when you lost your virginity is in there.
TM:
Sixteen, in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand. That’s a funny story. I was sixteen and the boy was eighteen and he ran down to the gift store for condoms and I was so paranoid, so inexperienced that I made him wear all three. [Laughs] Classic, right? All three!
JM:
That’s challenging.
TM:
I know! But I didn’t know. I was like, “No, another, I’m scared, I don’t want anything to happen.” I’ve always been paranoid of… I’ve always been really safe. I never wanted to end up with a problem. Like a pregnancy or something I have to deal with? I saw so many girls go through that and it changed their lives.
JM:
Do you want children?
TM:
Yeah, I do. But when I get pregnant I want to be ready to have a child.
JM:
That seems reasonable.
TM:
Yeah. I don’t want to deal with any of that crap. So what else are in these profiles? What age, where . . .
JM:
Yeah. They have a bunch of stuff, some good ones too. I can’t remember them all, Vices… favorite positions…
TM:
All of them. Whatever works… I’ve found I’ve had much more fun when I’m drunk and I have sex. I experiment, fewer inhibitions. It’s fun.
JM:
I’ll go get ready to go make your bed.
TM:
HA! Isn’t that great? What else?
JM:
Well, we have plenty here; I should let you go.
TM:
You can always call me if you have any more questions.
JM:
Thanks
TM:
When does it come out?
JM:
After I get it to them probably a couple of weeks.
TM:
Do you only write for this web site?
JM:
I write for a magazine too but I’ve had experiences where the magazine will butcher the interview.
TM:
Oh God!
JM:
Yeah! I’m just trying to keep it as pure as possible. I prefer Suicide Girls. The internet is much freer. Sometimes a magazine wants to lock you into their agenda.
TM:
Yeah, yeah! Dude, I’ve been so fucked over. I mean, downright, I’ve gotten in trouble because of things came out of my mouth one way and then were reworked to put some spin on it. It’s just ridiculous.
JM:
Thanks for coming out.
TM:
No, thank you. I’m so glad I got to meet up with you again. Call me if you have any more questions. And let me know when it’s up so I can check out the site.
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