Jeff Markey: Were at the Chateau Marmont, May 20th 2004 with Taryn Manning for SuicideGirls.
Taryn Manning: Oh, thats what this is for?
JM: Yeah, have you ever been?
TM: I havent been there myself but a lot of my friends have gone there. Its 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: Whats his name?
TM: His name is Speakers. Cuz he has gigantic ears.
JM: I hear youre heading to Mexico?
TM: Yeah, Im going to Mexico on Sunday so Im frazzled trying to get everything together.
JM: Where to?
TM: Playa del Carmen? Its right outside of Cancun.
JM: Its not so el touristo?
TM: No, right outside all that crap I dont like the thought of Cancun. Its not really my speed. And when I come back I have two movies Im doing this summer and
JM: When? What?
TM: Lets see. One is an independent film, which Im starring in so thats good. Its about a girl who attends a private school. Its a movie about young people struggling and learning lessons. And the second one Im really excited about. Its a movie called Hustle and Flow. Its a John Singleton movie and I get to play a really cool part in that. Its the story about a pimp who is trying to become a rap star. And I play his right hand girl So, Im going to go on vacation to relax before working like a maniac.
JM: Have you been recording?
TM: Ive 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. Its a romantic comedy.
JM: A little fluff?
TM: Yeah, a little fluff A little loot.
JM: Uh-huh. Its 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. Ive always loved clothing so I decided to start making my own with my friend Tara Jane.
Waitress: Your Margerita.
TM: Thanks, [To waitress] Im 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 didnt 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, theyre getting the names in place to get the cash? So, then from there well see what happens. Its a pretty dark project so. Its good to at least get it made. Were going to bring you in for
TM: A reading?
JM: Yeah.
TM: And if I have a good reading Ill get the part?
JM: Yeah, something like that Its all up to the director at that point.
TM: Whats your shooting like? What start date youre shooting for?
JM: Theyre saying September, October. But you know how that is, nothing is definite.
TM: Yeah, November, December, January
JM: Ive been working on this for fucking three years.
TM: Its unbelievable, huh? You wrote it, right?
JM: I wrote it and Im playing one of the lead males
TM: I like your scripts, theyre 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. Thats why were here.
TM: What else do you want to know?
JM: I want to ask you this. Youre an actor.
TM: Mm-hmm.
JM: Musician. And dancer.
TM: Mm-hmm.
JM: So, I wont put you on the spot. Okay, I will. What do you prefer?
TM: Its so crazy because when my music careers kind of at a lull my acting careers good. I love them both I got to say that the music is so much harder. Its been really hard to get my music career totally off the ground. As far as passion goes, Im really passionate about the music because I havent 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: Thats how I came to know you. Three oclock 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. Its tough to decide. I probably have to say that I love my music because its just mine. When youre doing a movie you got the director hounding you and the writereveryones 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, thats 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 dont feel stifled. I feel its all mine. I can say what I want, dress how I want and its just mine. Its 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 dogs a spaz.
TM: Thats okay. My dogs a spaz.
(Dogs barking and jumping on each other)
TM: (To dog) Were 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! Hes distracting me Hell start barking away in a second.
JM: Youre 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 thats when my life began. A whole other world opened. And Tucson is hot. Its Ridiculous.
(long pause)
JM: Im 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. Im sorry. That sucks.
JM: Thats all right.
TM: Well... Whats the angle?
JM: I have an idea just say whatever you want to.
TM: (laughs) Hey, well... whatever you want to know.
JM: Youre 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 Im going to take right now
(Pulls out camera and shoots)
TM: Oh youre kidding! Really! Youre going to use that? Oh no
JM: They probably wont 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: Its taking a video right now.
TM: Oh, it is? Hey, video!
JM: Lets see if I captured it... [Video plays.]
TM: Thats cute. Put that on the web site. A moving picture. That could be cute. I could be like, Whats up, Suicide Girls? Youre here with Taryn Manning. Learn a little ditty about me.
JM: Ok, do that again. Maybe theyll use it.
TM: Whats up, Suicide Girls? Youre 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, Im actually doing a Chicklet Gum campaign which is funny because Im going to Mexico then Im coming back to do a Chicklet Gum campaign. They have two new flavors and want to advertise it and theyve chosen me to be their spokesperson. Ill 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: Wouldnt 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 theyre going after a different demographic and dont think those 6 year old peasant children can sell their product. What kind of music are you into and listening to now?
TM: Oh, lets see. I just went to see Peaches. Shes 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 dont know if you know them.
JM: I like The Vines. The video for Outta the Way kicks ass.
TM: Theyre the shit. I like his voice. I always appreciate good vocalists. Especially when a boy can hit really high notes. So Im into that. Im still into the latest Radiohead. And I rock to that new channel 103.1 a lot its 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, Im like, thank you! Its 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. Its 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. Im always trying to listen... My best time to write music is when Im driving. Stuck in traffic. And a lot of times the way that well write is that my brother or I will get a beat from a CD and write over a melody. So Im always listening to my future song in a way.
JM: Whats your process? How do you write music?
TM: If I write a song. I mean, fully write a song Ill 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, Ill have one hot lyric. Just one. And Ill write all around that.
JM: When are we going to get a chance to hear some new music from Boomkat?
TM: Well, Im 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, weve always loved your music. We really love The Wreckoning
JM: Selling out to TV?
TM: I dont know. I dont know, am I? I dont know what road to take any more.
JM: Girls got to make a living.
TM: Yes! You know it comes to a certain point where I know Im 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 everyones band is really good because its all-unique. Not everything is good but theres so much unique music its so hard these days to really break through. And TV theres so many people who watch TV.
JM: And if someone wants to listen why not expose them?
TM: Yeah. Whatever we put in there, itll be cool and different. And weve already attempted a couple of songs for one show. We wrote two hot songs and they didnt want it. They were like, Eh, its not going to work.
JM: Do you still have the songs?
TM: Yeah, we still have the songs and they couldnt 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: Theres 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: Im not good at that kind of stuff. I think sometimes Im too stupid to answer questions like that. I just... How do you feel about it? You tell me first.
JM: Oh man, okay Im not a politician but I think any time you have something like this, a war; its a no-win situation. But going out there and putting my balls on the line to be castrated Id say, what the fuck are we doing there? There are no weapons of mass destruction. Then why are we there? The reasons that were given from the government dont 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 dont believe in pre-emptive war. Thats just a back-asswards oxymoron. I dont believe Iraq was a threat to America. And now it feels like weve 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 were bombing an oil rich country and sending our young men and women over there to die shouldnt 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 dont. Were already there. What do we do? Im 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 dont know. I just dont get it. Its wrong that we go into a whole other country and try to switch them over to how we live here as if thats absolutely right for them.
JM: I love my country but it doesnt mean I have to agree with what were 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: Thats what Im saying. Now its 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. Its like; well show you guys! Its like any war This whole worlds 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 Im working, Im more inspired. When Im doing everything I love to do and its all going good, that inspires me. Work is a condition for more work for me. Whereas if Im 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 theyre back. Then youre prepared for when theyre 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 its the good part of it or the shitty part of it. Love always gets me going.
JM: Whats the good part of love?
TM: Love, its so confusing. I recently got out of a three-year relationship. And Im not really one to rush into other relationships. I like to take a minute and learn. Ive been dating other people.
JM: So, youre single right now?
TM: Yeah. But its not making me feel much better. Theres this one kid. I cant explain it to you. I have a great time but Im just not ready to go there. But I cant find the words to communicate that to him.
JM: Youre stringing him along.
TM: I dont know the kid. Maybe further down the road I will. Im 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 didnt realize it! I was just being myself. Some people really might want a girlfriend. Im 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 wasnt overproduced. It was like bam! Youre 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. Im ready to for another cocktail
TM: This is a very good Margarita by the way.
JM: Im going to have one then, a Cadillac.
TM: I cant mix my alcohol.
JM: I do that and I get a really
TM: Terrible headache.
JM: Its not the headache. Its the next day.
TM: Throwing up you mean?
JM: No, the bad hangover. Its like, aww, shit!
TM: Thats a hangover, dude. If youre not throwing up but you have a headache. Overall feeling of
JM: Its 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 doesnt 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, thats 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 didnt 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 dont want to offend you.
TM: I like the idea of the profiles. Turn on and turn offs. Great shoes. Great style. I dont know who I think I am. [Laughs]
JM: Give it up.
TM: I like to be seen. Everyone likes to be seen. Lets 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 thats more of a fetish. You have a bed-making fetish.
TM: I dont mean I get turned on like, Come here now make my bed
JM: Youre 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 its lame. If I go on a date and the guys driving too fast trying to floss and
JM: Trying to floss?
TM: Yeah. Whats the point, you know? Youre having a good time; were going out to a nice, relaxing dinner
JM: I dont know what floss is
TM: Floss is trying to show off, you know?
JM: Got it I guess Im 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 Im by myself. (pause) Its a joke.
TM: [Laughs] I know.
JM: I guess it wasnt very funny.
TM: (laughs) No. Do you drive very fast?
JM: Sometimes but only if Im in a hurry. I dont know how driving fast is going to help my chances to get a girl unless Im on the way to see her and Im late.
TM: Thats what Im sayin. I hate it. And I dont really like smoking now. I just quit smoking and I smoked for a really long time and I never thought Id be anti but I prefer a guy who doesnt smoke. What else are in these profiles?
JM: You dont have to answer these but this is I didnt 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. Thats 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: Thats challenging.
TM: I know! But I didnt know. I was like, No, another, Im scared, I dont want anything to happen. Ive always been paranoid of Ive 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 dont 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 cant remember them all, Vices favorite positions
TM: All of them. Whatever works Ive found Ive had much more fun when Im drunk and I have sex. I experiment, fewer inhibitions. Its fun.
JM: Ill go get ready to go make your bed.
TM: HA! Isnt 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 Ive had experiences where the magazine will butcher the interview.
TM: Oh God!
JM: Yeah! Im 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, Ive been so fucked over. I mean, downright, Ive gotten in trouble because of things came out of my mouth one way and then were reworked to put some spin on it. Its just ridiculous.
JM: Thanks for coming out.
TM: No, thank you. Im so glad I got to meet up with you again. Call me if you have any more questions. And let me know when its up so I can check out the site.
Taryn Manning: Oh, thats what this is for?
JM: Yeah, have you ever been?
TM: I havent been there myself but a lot of my friends have gone there. Its 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: Whats his name?
TM: His name is Speakers. Cuz he has gigantic ears.
JM: I hear youre heading to Mexico?
TM: Yeah, Im going to Mexico on Sunday so Im frazzled trying to get everything together.
JM: Where to?
TM: Playa del Carmen? Its right outside of Cancun.
JM: Its not so el touristo?
TM: No, right outside all that crap I dont like the thought of Cancun. Its not really my speed. And when I come back I have two movies Im doing this summer and
JM: When? What?
TM: Lets see. One is an independent film, which Im starring in so thats good. Its about a girl who attends a private school. Its a movie about young people struggling and learning lessons. And the second one Im really excited about. Its a movie called Hustle and Flow. Its a John Singleton movie and I get to play a really cool part in that. Its the story about a pimp who is trying to become a rap star. And I play his right hand girl So, Im going to go on vacation to relax before working like a maniac.
JM: Have you been recording?
TM: Ive 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. Its a romantic comedy.
JM: A little fluff?
TM: Yeah, a little fluff A little loot.
JM: Uh-huh. Its 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. Ive always loved clothing so I decided to start making my own with my friend Tara Jane.
Waitress: Your Margerita.
TM: Thanks, [To waitress] Im 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 didnt 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, theyre getting the names in place to get the cash? So, then from there well see what happens. Its a pretty dark project so. Its good to at least get it made. Were going to bring you in for
TM: A reading?
JM: Yeah.
TM: And if I have a good reading Ill get the part?
JM: Yeah, something like that Its all up to the director at that point.
TM: Whats your shooting like? What start date youre shooting for?
JM: Theyre saying September, October. But you know how that is, nothing is definite.
TM: Yeah, November, December, January
JM: Ive been working on this for fucking three years.
TM: Its unbelievable, huh? You wrote it, right?
JM: I wrote it and Im playing one of the lead males
TM: I like your scripts, theyre 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. Thats why were here.
TM: What else do you want to know?
JM: I want to ask you this. Youre an actor.
TM: Mm-hmm.
JM: Musician. And dancer.
TM: Mm-hmm.
JM: So, I wont put you on the spot. Okay, I will. What do you prefer?
TM: Its so crazy because when my music careers kind of at a lull my acting careers good. I love them both I got to say that the music is so much harder. Its been really hard to get my music career totally off the ground. As far as passion goes, Im really passionate about the music because I havent 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: Thats how I came to know you. Three oclock 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. Its tough to decide. I probably have to say that I love my music because its just mine. When youre doing a movie you got the director hounding you and the writereveryones 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, thats 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 dont feel stifled. I feel its all mine. I can say what I want, dress how I want and its just mine. Its 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 dogs a spaz.
TM: Thats okay. My dogs a spaz.
(Dogs barking and jumping on each other)
TM: (To dog) Were 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! Hes distracting me Hell start barking away in a second.
JM: Youre 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 thats when my life began. A whole other world opened. And Tucson is hot. Its Ridiculous.
(long pause)
JM: Im 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. Im sorry. That sucks.
JM: Thats all right.
TM: Well... Whats the angle?
JM: I have an idea just say whatever you want to.
TM: (laughs) Hey, well... whatever you want to know.
JM: Youre 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 Im going to take right now
(Pulls out camera and shoots)
TM: Oh youre kidding! Really! Youre going to use that? Oh no
JM: They probably wont 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: Its taking a video right now.
TM: Oh, it is? Hey, video!
JM: Lets see if I captured it... [Video plays.]
TM: Thats cute. Put that on the web site. A moving picture. That could be cute. I could be like, Whats up, Suicide Girls? Youre here with Taryn Manning. Learn a little ditty about me.
JM: Ok, do that again. Maybe theyll use it.
TM: Whats up, Suicide Girls? Youre 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, Im actually doing a Chicklet Gum campaign which is funny because Im going to Mexico then Im coming back to do a Chicklet Gum campaign. They have two new flavors and want to advertise it and theyve chosen me to be their spokesperson. Ill 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: Wouldnt 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 theyre going after a different demographic and dont think those 6 year old peasant children can sell their product. What kind of music are you into and listening to now?
TM: Oh, lets see. I just went to see Peaches. Shes 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 dont know if you know them.
JM: I like The Vines. The video for Outta the Way kicks ass.
TM: Theyre the shit. I like his voice. I always appreciate good vocalists. Especially when a boy can hit really high notes. So Im into that. Im still into the latest Radiohead. And I rock to that new channel 103.1 a lot its 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, Im like, thank you! Its 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. Its 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. Im always trying to listen... My best time to write music is when Im driving. Stuck in traffic. And a lot of times the way that well write is that my brother or I will get a beat from a CD and write over a melody. So Im always listening to my future song in a way.
JM: Whats your process? How do you write music?
TM: If I write a song. I mean, fully write a song Ill 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, Ill have one hot lyric. Just one. And Ill write all around that.
JM: When are we going to get a chance to hear some new music from Boomkat?
TM: Well, Im 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, weve always loved your music. We really love The Wreckoning
JM: Selling out to TV?
TM: I dont know. I dont know, am I? I dont know what road to take any more.
JM: Girls got to make a living.
TM: Yes! You know it comes to a certain point where I know Im 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 everyones band is really good because its all-unique. Not everything is good but theres so much unique music its so hard these days to really break through. And TV theres so many people who watch TV.
JM: And if someone wants to listen why not expose them?
TM: Yeah. Whatever we put in there, itll be cool and different. And weve already attempted a couple of songs for one show. We wrote two hot songs and they didnt want it. They were like, Eh, its not going to work.
JM: Do you still have the songs?
TM: Yeah, we still have the songs and they couldnt 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: Theres 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: Im not good at that kind of stuff. I think sometimes Im too stupid to answer questions like that. I just... How do you feel about it? You tell me first.
JM: Oh man, okay Im not a politician but I think any time you have something like this, a war; its a no-win situation. But going out there and putting my balls on the line to be castrated Id say, what the fuck are we doing there? There are no weapons of mass destruction. Then why are we there? The reasons that were given from the government dont 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 dont believe in pre-emptive war. Thats just a back-asswards oxymoron. I dont believe Iraq was a threat to America. And now it feels like weve 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 were bombing an oil rich country and sending our young men and women over there to die shouldnt 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 dont. Were already there. What do we do? Im 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 dont know. I just dont get it. Its wrong that we go into a whole other country and try to switch them over to how we live here as if thats absolutely right for them.
JM: I love my country but it doesnt mean I have to agree with what were 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: Thats what Im saying. Now its 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. Its like; well show you guys! Its like any war This whole worlds 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 Im working, Im more inspired. When Im doing everything I love to do and its all going good, that inspires me. Work is a condition for more work for me. Whereas if Im 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 theyre back. Then youre prepared for when theyre 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 its the good part of it or the shitty part of it. Love always gets me going.
JM: Whats the good part of love?
TM: Love, its so confusing. I recently got out of a three-year relationship. And Im not really one to rush into other relationships. I like to take a minute and learn. Ive been dating other people.
JM: So, youre single right now?
TM: Yeah. But its not making me feel much better. Theres this one kid. I cant explain it to you. I have a great time but Im just not ready to go there. But I cant find the words to communicate that to him.
JM: Youre stringing him along.
TM: I dont know the kid. Maybe further down the road I will. Im 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 didnt realize it! I was just being myself. Some people really might want a girlfriend. Im 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 wasnt overproduced. It was like bam! Youre 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. Im ready to for another cocktail
TM: This is a very good Margarita by the way.
JM: Im going to have one then, a Cadillac.
TM: I cant mix my alcohol.
JM: I do that and I get a really
TM: Terrible headache.
JM: Its not the headache. Its the next day.
TM: Throwing up you mean?
JM: No, the bad hangover. Its like, aww, shit!
TM: Thats a hangover, dude. If youre not throwing up but you have a headache. Overall feeling of
JM: Its 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 doesnt 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, thats 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 didnt 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 dont want to offend you.
TM: I like the idea of the profiles. Turn on and turn offs. Great shoes. Great style. I dont know who I think I am. [Laughs]
JM: Give it up.
TM: I like to be seen. Everyone likes to be seen. Lets 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 thats more of a fetish. You have a bed-making fetish.
TM: I dont mean I get turned on like, Come here now make my bed
JM: Youre 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 its lame. If I go on a date and the guys driving too fast trying to floss and
JM: Trying to floss?
TM: Yeah. Whats the point, you know? Youre having a good time; were going out to a nice, relaxing dinner
JM: I dont know what floss is
TM: Floss is trying to show off, you know?
JM: Got it I guess Im 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 Im by myself. (pause) Its a joke.
TM: [Laughs] I know.
JM: I guess it wasnt very funny.
TM: (laughs) No. Do you drive very fast?
JM: Sometimes but only if Im in a hurry. I dont know how driving fast is going to help my chances to get a girl unless Im on the way to see her and Im late.
TM: Thats what Im sayin. I hate it. And I dont really like smoking now. I just quit smoking and I smoked for a really long time and I never thought Id be anti but I prefer a guy who doesnt smoke. What else are in these profiles?
JM: You dont have to answer these but this is I didnt 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. Thats 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: Thats challenging.
TM: I know! But I didnt know. I was like, No, another, Im scared, I dont want anything to happen. Ive always been paranoid of Ive 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 dont 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 cant remember them all, Vices favorite positions
TM: All of them. Whatever works Ive found Ive had much more fun when Im drunk and I have sex. I experiment, fewer inhibitions. Its fun.
JM: Ill go get ready to go make your bed.
TM: HA! Isnt 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 Ive had experiences where the magazine will butcher the interview.
TM: Oh God!
JM: Yeah! Im 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, Ive been so fucked over. I mean, downright, Ive gotten in trouble because of things came out of my mouth one way and then were reworked to put some spin on it. Its just ridiculous.
JM: Thanks for coming out.
TM: No, thank you. Im so glad I got to meet up with you again. Call me if you have any more questions. And let me know when its up so I can check out the site.
VIEW 16 of 16 COMMENTS
nothing interesting or unique was asked