Tanya Yuquimpo: Cat Power

Posted by Jayvee at September 11th, 2009

For someone who supposedly takes a while to open up to people, former Kitty Girl Tanya Yuquimpo is remarkably up front with UNO about art, music, style and how men should act.

By Jessie Grinter

Things rarely, if ever, go according to plan. Someone is always getting called in to tinker with the script. Extend the chorus. Add a bridge. Whatever.

“Yeah, I left the Kitty Girls about a month ago. I didn’t think it was about the music anymore.”

That’s right. Tanya Yuquimpo is flying solo, and loving it.

We meet at the lovely Attivo restaurant in Makati. Stereotypes and preconceptions disintegrate as we share lunch and discuss everything under the sun. The revelations and revolutions keep on spinning.

“I’ve always been about rock and roll. I love The Ramones. And Portishead. And I love Thom Yorke’s solo album. Dude, how can you not be a fan of these bands, because they’re genius,” she tells me matter-of-factly. When I mention that these musical tastes certainly go against the sound of her previous ‘band,’ Tanya digs in. “I don’t want to be a copycat. I always felt bad when people said that the Kittys were just ripping off the Pussycat Dolls. We were just trying to make music. But, at the end of the day you got to do something original.”

As we drift off into discussing other forms of self-expression, it’s clear that Ms. Yuquimpo always has a lot going on. “I’ve been sketching and drawing since I was a little girl. Now, when I paint, it’s all abstract. I think it represents my moods.” And where do you think all of this output comes from?… “It takes me a while to open up to people. I don’t trust easily. I guess because I’m an only child. But, I feel like a sponge sometimes. I believe each person is a book, just waiting for you to open them up.”

Tanya, 23, was born and raised in Makati by a mother and stepfather who encouraged her independence. And as it stands, she’s been on her own since her teens. “I’ve been working my ass off on my music, and studying interior design as well,” she explains. “I’m planning to go back to TV, and do some acting too. But I can’t let go of my music. It’s always a part of me… And I have this really intense attitude. Like I just want to get stuff done, you know?”

I can’t help mentioning that being so busy must leave very little time for extracurricular activities―meaning, uh, men. “Yeah, I try to date. I think it’s tough to find a guy that can handle me, though.” Hmmm… You don’t say. “I asked this one guy I was dating, straight up, ‘What do want from me’? He says ‘I just want to get to know you’… And I’m thinking, do you want to know me, or do you just want to get in my pants? Lately, I’ve just been like, what’s the point, you know?”

For the full article and more photos of Tanya, grab a copy of the August 2009 issue of UNO with Ciara Marasigan on the cover.