Best known for playing a born-again inmate in the Netflix series “Orange is the New Black,” an iconic show for many LGBT people, Taryn Manning started her career in music.
She signed a deal in 2002 with her brother, Kellin, to record as Boomkat, an electronica duo. When Manning started acting, she decided to continue as a DJ. She describes her style as a hybrid of ’90s and modern with Alanis Morissette, Nirvana and Calvin Harris as influences.
Manning takes her talents to the stage in Philadelphia May 15 at Stratus Lounge. It’s part of the bar’s Sunset Sessions, which kicked off last month with Samantha Ronson, a name familiar to the LGBT community. Brody Jenner, Caitlyn Jenner’s son, will also perform next month in the series.
Before arriving in Philadelphia, Manning took some time for an email interview with PGN.
PGN: What got you interested in being a DJ, and how would you describe your style?
TM: My brother was certainly a huge influence. He has a hip-hop head, and everything to him was two turntables and a microphone. I have always been into breakdancing, the late-night club and dance scene. We are the whitest kids on the planet, but we just loved everything about this world. After our Dreamworks deal with our band, Boomkat, I started to venture off solo. Pursuing becoming a DJ was a cool way I could play music and be social. It was a way to satiate that side of me — to be out and the provider of the fun. I tend to gravitate toward female-driven vocals, but it’s a paradox because I also tend to love more male-driven bands. A perfect mix would be Alanis Morissette and Nirvana together; that would be the greatest thing ever. Mix in a little Calvin Harris on top and I’d be in Hog Heaven. I definitely have a hybrid of a little ’90s influence, as some of the greatest movies were made then, and it was such a high point for music, film and TV. Those were my most impressionable years, my teenage years, and it made a stamp in my brain and translates into my music. I always implement modern stuff, too.
PGN: In 2011, there was a controversy over the fact that DJ Mag’s list of the top 100 DJs didn’t include any women. How has your experience been as a female DJ?
TM: Great question. Every year, I like to look up the Top 10 DJs in Forbes because it’s really inspiring to see how one person can really be a “master of ceremonies” and completely dominate their industry. While it’s certainly fascinating and well-deserved, there hasn’t been a female on that particular list yet. It’s just a matter of time. Females are great producers too, but it’s just one of those realities right now and someone is going to break through. As an actress and a female, all of the odds are against me. And you know, they should be! There are people that just play music day in and day out, 24/7, and they have their entire lives. I have massive respect for them. The best ones are the ones that say to me, “You’re good. You have potential. I’d love to help you get better.” And I take it, thank you. Tell me anything.
PGN: How does acting fuel your work in music and vice versa?
TM: Music came first. It fuels my acting. That’s the truth. To me, it’s all just entertainment, like Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. There were no lines back then; they were all just entertainers, born entertainers.
PGN: “Orange is the New Black” has achieved cult status, particularly in the lesbian community. What is that like?
TM: It’s certainly an honor, and the show has been such an anomaly for all of us. I just had a show at Dinah Shore, and Lea Delaria was also there performing her David Bowie set. I could not believe how much love there was in that audience and how supportive everyone was. We met up after my set and decided to go venture out and grab something to eat, and I could not have prepared myself for what was to come. We were just torn apart by all the amazing people there, so much love!
PGN: Tiffany “Pennsatucky” Doggett makes a lot of snide comments about lesbians in “OITNB,” but her friendship with Big Boo becomes a strong part of season three. How do you approach Tiffany’s relationships with women in the show?
TM: I’m really enjoying what the writers are doing with my character. I feel like the moral conflict I have had as myself, as “Taryn,” for these past seasons and my character, “Pennsatucky,” is finally becoming less divided. I feel like my character is learning to be more open and accepting, and is becoming less judgmental. Tiffany is starting to see beyond sexual preference, color, gender and she’s starting to see someone who is just a friend, someone who is there for her. Both of our characters are becoming less judgmental and we both come with all this backstory — just real people with real feelings. I attribute all of this magic to our ‘OITNB’ writers.
PGN: Any upcoming projects you’re excited about?
TM: I’m really excited to start shooting season five of ‘OITNB’ and for what is to come for my character. I’ve been in the studio consistently and I am excited to release an EP later this year and show the world some of my new music I’ve poured my heart and soul into. I just signed on to a new film that starts shooting this year, which I can’t wait to start talking about and, of course, just continuing to perform my set at all these great locations and preview some of my new music.
Manning’s set begins at 6 p.m. May 15 at Stratus Lounge, 433 Chestnut St. Doors open at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $10 in advance and could reach $20 at the door depending on time of arrival. For more information or tickets, visit www.stratuslounge.com/events-1/sunset-sessions.htm.