Pop Quiz: Eleni Mandell

Pop Quiz: Eleni Mandell

Aidin Vaziri | Since 1999, cult Los Angeles singer-songwriter Eleni Mandell has released six albums of slow-burning torch songs. Her latest, "Miracle of Five," includes contributions from Wilco guitarist Nels Cline and X drummer D.J. Bonebrake. It also features typically noirish ruminations like "Salt Truck" and "Make-Out King" that reaffirm her position as the best-kept secret of the public radio set -- although you might recognize her voice from that Carl's Jr. ad starring Paris Hilton in a bikini.


Eleni Mandell
Q: Is "Make-Out King" based on a true story?
A: Indeed, it is.
Q: Can the story be shared in a family newspaper?
A: Yes. It's about my current boyfriend. I was just thinking the other day how funny it was that I thought he was such a ladies' man, which was probably part of the attraction. Like, "Ooh, I'm going to tame that one." He wasn't a ladies' man at all. He was a total nerd.
Q: So how did he earn that title?
A: He would talk a lot about making out with other girls. I think he had his day in the sun, but he said he did that because he was nervous and didn't know what else to talk about. I don't know: the day's events? The weather?
Q: You stuck around even though he would pick you up for a date and just start talking about all the other girls he made out with?
A: That says a lot about me. The whole thing is just ridiculous.
Q: It kind of sounds like you're second-guessing the relationship now.
A: No, we have a great time together. No relationship is perfect.