If you don’t recognize the name Taryn Manning, you might recognize the face. This talented singer/actress is probably more known for her acting career, starring in popular films like Crazy/Beautiful, Crossroads, 8 Mile, Hustle & Flow and in TV series like Sons of Anarchy, Hawaii Five-0 and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. In addition to acting, Manning is part of Boomkat, an electropop duo featuring Taryn and her brother Kellin Manning. While the future of Boomkat is unclear at this point, Manning appears to be moving full steam ahead with her solo career. Earlier this month, Manning released the video for a new song, “Turn It Up.” Directed by Hellin Kay, the video features Manning in a number of scenes, including an industrial rooftop of some kind and a white room with nothing but a solitary hanging mic. A little naughty and a little nice, both Manning and her infectious new electropop single sizzle with sex appeal, and only make me more eager to hear what’s next.
Boomkat released their first album, Boomkatalog.One back in 2003 on Dreamworks Records, peaking at #88 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album’s first single, “The Wreckoning,” went on to top the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart, with remixes by Thunderpuss, DJ Monk, Brother Brown, Chris Vrenna and more. While the duo did release a second single, “What U Do 2 Me,” the single did not perform nearly as well and Boomkat left their label shortly after. In 2008 Boomkat returned with a new EP called Runaway, featuring the title song and remixes. In 2009, Boomkat released their sophomore effort, A Million Trillion Stars via Little Vanilla Records, a label started by Manning. Produced by Mike Elizondo (P!nk, Maroon 5) the album and subsequent singles failed to chart.
While nothing has been recently confirmed, with the release of “Turn It Up,” I think it’s safe to assume that Manning is working on an album. Back in 2009, she gave an interview with Adam’s World where Manning described her forthcoming solo project as “colorful, flamboyant” dance music, which would differ from Boomkat, which she called “a little darker, experimental, like Portishead kind of stuff.” In 2009, Manning premiered the Linney-produced “So Talented,” on an episode of the since cancelled Melrose Place reboot (download it HERE). Most recently, Manning appeared on an episode of Hawaii Five-0, not only as an actress, but on the soundtrack, where you can hear her song “Spotlight.”
Download Boomkat‘s back catalog on iTunes HERE and check out Taryn Manning‘s new solo single “Turn It Up” HERE. I was already a fan of Taryn Manning, the actress so falling in love with Taryn Manning the singer was bound to happen.