We bought our first plant just before Covid struck – a big, beautiful Bird of Paradise, that has turned out to be a total diva when it comes to sunlight and is refusing to stop growing. It’s taking over the joint! But we haven’t even got to the stage of gendering our plant, let alone naming it – that’s because they’re usually dead by now!!
But Dylan McKeever has not only gendered her plants, she’s also named them and given them fully-formed characters in her Instagram show Plant Talk. We’ve become kind of obsessed and are now thinking we may need an Aloe Vera too…
We talk to Dylan about how Plant Talk came to be, how much she misses doing standup live and what the trans dating experience is like in San Francisco…
So, Dylan, tell me, how has Plant Talk come to be?
When the shelter-in-place order happened here in California, I was suddenly stuck at home with my house plants. And since I was staring at them all day I was like, “Hey, why not interview them?”
Obviously! Do you genuinely feel different personality types coming from each plant?! I hope so!
Oh, ha, not really. I’ll usually come up with a personality or topic first and then figure out which plant best matches the part. If I can figure out some tie-in with how the plant looks or it’s name, that’s just an added bonus. I meticulously plan the scripts ahead of time, then reach out to a friend or comedian and ask them for pretty specific performances. So I already know what I am getting into!
Which plant are you excited to be doing in the future?
I have a few more Plant Talks in the works and I’m most excited to interview my orchid.
Just as an FYI, in case you need one, I have a Bird of Paradise here in my single bedroom in Barcelona. It is a total whore for light and doesn’t seem to stop growing! My brother is telling me to prune it but I can’t bring myself to cut it!
I love a big beautiful bird of paradise (BBBOP), they’re definitely the Leos of the plant world. Back when I worked at a plant store, customers would come in all the time talking about how their BBBOP started small but grew to push up against the ceiling. Don’t prune her, let her grow wild!
OK, you’ve convinced me! I know this is the Sophie’s Choice of all questions but which has been your favourite so far?
I’m very happy with how the Aloe Vera episode turned out. With each interview, I’m hoping to touch on something larger than just plant care – and I think that worked best in the Aloe episode.
Plants have been really helpful for me during our extended quarantine here in Spain – the tiniest growth brings hope along with it! How has your relationship with your plants been during this time?
I love my plants. We have a very consistent, grounded, and uncomplicated relationship which is perfect since everything else has been so bonkers.
What great things have come from creating Plant Talk? And do you have plans to take it further?
It’s been so nice to have a creative and collaborative outlet during quarantine. It’s led to some comedy connections, collaboration opportunities, as well as a modelling gig for a size-inclusive clothing company?? I’m into it. I’m hoping to make ten Plant Talk episodes total? Please don’t hold me to that.
Where do you post all your content? And besides Plant Talk, what else can people see from you?
Yes, I post everything on my ig – big shoutout to myself @deemakes. Besides Plant Talk, I post vids about trans stuff, illustrations, homemade memes, and the rare self indulgent selfie. Hopefully that sounds somewhat appealing? I promise it’s all funny!
You also do stand up right?
I do, or at least I did! I started performing stand up a little over a year ago and I MISS IT SO MUCH. My set revolved around my trans/queer identity, race, dating, and sex. I actually pivoted to creating video content thanks to comedy shows getting shut down indefinitely. Video work is fun and challenging in it’s own way but I miss the exhilaration and connection and joy of live performance.
Speaking of your trans/queer identity, how has that part of your journey been so far?
It’s hard to summarize in a concise way? Transitioning has been the most difficult, bewildering and life affirming thing I’ve ever done. Thankfully I’m at a place where I feel confident and self-actualized in my identity, which has made it easier to focus on things like creative work and my comedy career. Basically, I’m not walking around crying 24/7 anymore, it’s more like 6-8 hours a day which opens up a lot of time to make funny stuff.
And how has the world of dating changed?
Yeah dating is a trip! I feel like I have to have a high level of vigilance with who I see, especially when dating straight men. Sadly (fortunately??), my dating life has slowed down so much during the pandemic that I’ve become resigned to dating myself. Turns out I’m the one I’ve been waiting for – or at least that’s what I tell myself.
But yeah, SF is an…ok place to date. Even though it’s considered the most gay city in the world, it’s more centered around white cis gay men. I’d say the broader queer scene is a lot more lively in Oakland and Berkeley.
You’re based in San Francisco, a city I love. Where’s your favourite place there?
SF is such a beautiful city. I’ll usually take walks to the different dog runs or through Golden Gate Park or out to Land’s End or Sutro Baths if I’m feeling adventurous. With COVID, the city has been especially quiet which I’ve been enjoying.
Lastly we are named after the biggest selling single of 2001, so we always ask everyone, what is your favourite Mariah Carey song?
It’d probably be a tie between ‘Heartbreaker’, for being such an undeniable and muscular bop, and ‘Always Be My Baby’ for having that perfect sing-a-long chorus.
Follow Dylan on Instagram at @DeeMakes
