Podcasts

Interview: Daddy-Less Issues Podcast

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Daddy-Less Issues is a podcast created and hosted by orphan comedians Amber Rollo and Chanel Ali, with the aim of opening up discussion about the experiences of losing one or both parents, whilst also investigating the effects that this can have on an artist’s outlook and process.
This podcast discusses topics that are often seen to be too heavy or sensitive for casual conversation, but Rollo and Ali are challenging this presumption by producing such a fascinating and largely upbeat show. MoodyComedy spoke to Amber and Chanel to find out more about Daddy-Less Issues…

What spurred you to start The Daddy-less Issues podcast?

We kept seeing this pattern of orphans talked about in fiction but not in real life. Fairy tales, comic books and movies are filled with stories about orphans that are fantastic and magical, we wanted to show that real life orphans are pretty fantastic and magical themselves.

What, for both of you, does it mean to be an orphan?

In the nitty gritty definition sense, we go by the UN definition of orphan “a child who has lost one or more parents through death or abandonment.” But in a general more spiritual sense, it means we are enterprising independent kick ass hustlers, but who like also need love too.

Chanel Ali (left) and Amber Rollo, © Mindy Tucker

How do you think being an orphan has affected your career choices and comedy style?

We have found that we are a bit more free to talk about whatever we like on stage, compared to other comics who struggle with parental tsk tsking.

Have you discovered anything surprising about being an artist without parents as you’vebeen making this podcast?

We’ve discovered so many things, but our favorite is a sentiment best stated by Armistead Maupin “there are biological families, and then there are logical families” and we are both growing beautiful and supportive logical families. We have enjoyed the freedom to pursue our dreams and define success without the pressure or judgment that is often accompanied by two parent households.

What is the most difficult aspect about talking to people about potentially painful subjectssuch as losing a parent?

Often guests have never openly talked about this stuff with others who truly understand, sometimes they get so swept up in that release that they don’t want to stop talking about the past traumas. One of the hardest most delicate parts is to move the conversation forward into the present: what they are doing now, what tools have they picked up to self-parent and how are they thriving.

What has been the most valuable thing you have gained or learned since beginning thispodcast?

We love learning about all the famous orphans from history, it is really inspirational to hear all their stories and at the same time seeing our guests making history, in real time, right in front of us.

Who would be your dream future guest?

That’s a hard question, there are so many amazing orphans. Someone we are reaching for right now is Tiffany Haddish, she is killing as an orphan comedian and we love that. But a real dream dream, Obama or Madonna (both orphans).

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT DADDY-LESS ISSUES AND LISTEN TO THE PODCAST HERE

Review: Stuart Goldsmith – An Hour

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stu goldsmith

© Andre Pattenden

To finally and officially put face to the voice of Stuart Goldsmith has been a very long time coming. I have listened to his podcast The Comedian’s Comedian for years but it’s strange to have a visual rather than just an audio; strange not to be wearing earphones. Goldsmith’s debut tour kicks off at Birmingham’s Glee Club; the studio being satisfyingly busy and Stu holding his ground incredibly well.

Stuart Goldsmith is the genuine article with no showing off and no false illusion of power. Goldsmith gives the humble impression of being a just guy stood in front of a group of people and telling a few anecdotes, but his act far exceeds that description. Any fan of the podcast will already know that Stuart is a lovely guy: that’s why we bought tickets. But what I certainly wasn’t expecting was for him to be half as commanding in front of an audience as he effortlessly was. Any of the self-doubt he so often alludes to quickly becomes a faint memory as Stu recounts stories of his childhood and adolescence. And he is just so nice. Even an irritating drunk lady who slurred through the majority of the show was dealt with reasonably and politely by Stu who quickly worked to smooth over the slightly sour feeling in the air, referring to it as “gently harassing a talkative woman”.

Goldsmith’s comedy is clear, succinct and not self-indulgent. His show is pleasingly structured and the final moments of the hour are a thing of absolute beauty. It’s very apparent that he knows how to craft a show and there is an authentic respect for performance as an art form as well as consideration of the audience throughout. The hours of interviewing all manner of comedic performers has clearly had an impact on Goldsmith’s own craft in a way that I doubt can be said for the majority of podcasting stand up comedians.

And Stuart’s audience is as passionate about the craft as he, evident in the large number of people that stayed behind afterwards to ask questions about the podcast in a group-discussion setting. We chatted about the issues of censorship in broadcasting peoples’ opinions as well as other things that, somewhat ironically, I am unable to disclose. So, after an evening of suitably nerdy entertainment I am left with my feelings of appreciation towards comedy as an art form, and Goldsmith’s informed and pioneering podcast itself, being as strong as ever. Let this serve as a strong recommendation of Stuart Goldsmith’s tour show, An Hour of your life well spent.

PURCHASE TICKETS FOR STUART GOLDSMITH’S LATEST SHOW ‘AN HOUR’

Seven Questions With… Stuart Goldsmith

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Stuart_Goldsmith_An_Hour_edfringe2015

© Andre Pattenden

Stand up comedian Stuart Goldsmith is also the brains behind every comedy nerd’s favourite podcast, The Comedian’s Comedian, a series of interviews where Stu gets to the heart of the creative processes and, invariably, the psychological issues of many a comic. The endlessly charismatic Goldsmith is rapidly cultivating a very interesting crowd of followers, with most audience members being as passionate about the craft of stand up as he is.
To find out more about Stu, I asked him these seven questions…

1) What is your best character trait?

My incredible world-class humility. But seriously folks…

I think I’m probably quite good with kids. That’s being tested recently with the birth of my new son; I was trying to be a fun uncle for the first week and ran myself into the ground over-delivering. I need to remember that he loves me anyway so I don’t need to throw a whirlwind of funny songs and kisses at him. Good advice for life generally…

2) How has your life changed in the past year?

Ha, I should have read through these first. Having a baby (and I know no-one without a baby cares about this) is the single most challenging thing I‘ve ever done. It’s impossible to explain to child-free people the extent to which it changes your life; it’s like suddenly becoming a religious fundamentalist overnight; you’ve got something incredible to live for but now you need to do all these insane rituals every 40mins and talk to something that isn’t listening.

3) What is the most challenging aspect of your podcasting work?

Ooh, nice question. It’s either: the fact that the job has an infinite brief, so I’m never finished; the fact that now watching comedy feels like “work I should have to do” rather than “a fun thing to relax with”; or it’s the amount of admin that has suddenly blossomed into my life. I want to answer every email and watch every video I’m sent, but I’ve also got to write a new show! But it’s enormously fulfilling and I arrogantly think it’s a legacy that will outlast however many DVDs I eventually sell. We’re changing lives here, people!

4) What makes you feel trapped?

Being buried alive in a coffin made of lolly sticks for a crime I didn’t commit.

5) Who would you be afraid to meet?

Gosh, everyone, I’m a terribly scared person. Lots of surface confidence and very little actual belief in myself. Probably an angry Scottish woman. For some reason they absolutely will not be charmed by me.

6) What was the last surprise you had?

My little bloke making a sort of pre-voice sound like “cah!” It was the absolute TITS.

7) What will make your first UK tour a success in your eyes?

If I walk away feeling like it’s the start of something. I had that feeling at Ed Fringe last year, and Brighton Festival later on. I’ve put a lot of work into my career and writing and performing and specifically this show, a lot of that part of the work was “working out what the work is”, coz comedy can be a rabbit hole made of sexy smoke. So the sensation that I’m starting to find and cultivate an audience is very satisfying. But – stay focused Goldsmith – my goal was to tour my own show, and actually getting to do the tour is a victory lap with which I’m rewarding myself for achieving that goal! So the shows themselves will be awesome whether there’s 100 people in the crowd or 2. DO YOU HEAR ME WOLVERHAMPTON?! I WILL NOT BE BEATEN!!

STUART GOLDSMITH IS CURRENTLY TOURING HIS LATEST SHOW ‘AN HOUR’ ACROSS THE UK

Do The Right Thing, Series 5 Preview

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Do The Right Thing is a relatively long-running comedy panel show podcast hosted by comedian and radio presenter Danielle Ward with team captains stand up comic Michael Legge and comedy actress Margaret Cabourn-Smith, recorded at the Soho Theatre.

22lHV9XtRecorded in front of a live audience, Do The Right Thing has the feel of a respectable and well-established teatime radio panel show but there are exciting elements to the production also, making it instantly recognisable from other such podcasts and radio shows. The language is often vulgar and there is a lot shouting and disarray, but perfectly contained in a well-intentioned, surreal little sweary bubble. Given the strangest of hypothetical situations, panellists are invited to pose the best thing to do to solve a dilemma, with naturally funny consequences; there are film references galore, absurd anecdotes and some very dark humour.

Each episode features two guest panelists as well as an expert guest who features for one of the rounds, including the likes of author and psychopath expert Jon Ronson as well as a submariner, taxi driver, historian and flower importer. A favourite of mine would have to be photographer Idil Sukan (S5E2) who has recently been making waves via her moving piece about gender equality, which I urge you to read.

Danielle Ward is very skilled at manoeuvring conversations and ensuring there are no starchy pauses, though it seems unlikely that there would ever be any, due to the good relationship between the three regulars and the guests. Participants are often even given the chance to plug their own shows too, a further gesture of good will, and producer Ben Walker is made a crucial part of the show, providing some of the questions, all of the answers and the scores. Here we have a really upbeat and enjoyable comedy podcast, with a unique concept and a rich array of interesting comedic guests.

SERIES FIVE OF THE ‘DO THE RIGHT THING’ PODCAST WILL SOON BE AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD FOR FREE FROM ITUNES

Podcast Review: Richard Herring’s Leicester Square Theatre Podcast

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When Richard Herring shouts “RHLSTP!” to his audience at the Leicester Square Theatre, they holler it back instantaneously, and at twice the volume. It immediately becomes clear that I’ve stumbled across a society, a cult, and something that I want to be a part of.

Beginning the podcast in 2012, Herring has now hosted over fifty interviews of at least an hour per episode. With a rich array of popular guests, ranging from the wave of newer, trendy comics like James Acaster, Sara Pascoe and Katherine Ryan, to the classics, including Steve Coogan and Tim Minchin, this podcast has something for everyone, be that comedy-obsessive, like me, or not. Herring is an expert. He combines his sometimes childish nature with excellent wit, sarcasm and often surrealism in a perfect balance that enables viewers and listeners to be educated as well as entertained. Both he and his guests clearly enjoy the discussions they have, and in turn, I thoroughly enjoy listening to them, and will continue to do so until there are no episodes left to hear.

richard herring

If you are looking for in depth insight into the comedy industry, I recommend you start with Sara Pascoe’s interview. I also particularly enjoyed her episode because I think she is an incredibly interesting person, with a great philosophy about her which I could listen to all day long. As with these podcasts, if you don’t normally listen to them, it is so important that you listen to the ones with comics you don’t know as well as the ones with people you do. This works to both the comic’s benefit and your’s, by enabling listeners to be introduced to new names. And there are so many new names.

Despite these podcasts already working on the basis of paying whatever you want to, whatever you think the show deserves, and whatever you are able to pay: in yet another act of generosity, Richard has decided to release the latest batch of RHLSTP episodes as videos on Youtube, which are normally only available to paying listeners. As a person who can’t afford to pay for these podcasts right now, I feel it is only right to spread the word about these hidden gems of the internet. They’re perfect for long car journeys or to fill time when you should be working, and they also teach us a great deal about the secrets of the industry. We even get some gossip, which is always a plus in my book.

You can, and should, listen to and download Richard Herring’s Leicester Square Theatre Podcast via his website, or on iTunes. It would also be brilliant if all of you that are able to could pay something towards the running of the show.

Podcast Review: The Comedian’s Comedian Podcast

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Stuart Goldsmith

I thought I’d share with you my favourite ever comedy podcast, made by a really nice guy, and something that I think every comedy lover should know about. The Comedian’s Comedian Podcast was created by stand up comedian, Stuart Goldsmith and began in 2012  (though I only started listening in the past year or so). It is my favourite for a number of reasons:

Firstly, the guests are all absolutely  brilliant comedians. Although I haven’t listened to  all of the episodes as of yet, the ones I have picked out and listened to have been hilarious but interesting as well. Brendon Burns, Tony Law and Gary Delaney’s episodes proved particularly engaging because as well as being obviously funny people, they actually offered details into how they workand what their comedy means to them which is something other podcasts don’t offer.

Stuart Goldsmith himself is very funny and extremely knowledgable which I think is very important as you can see he is passionate about what he does. I always love seeing people get excited about the work they do and this was particularly clear when Stuart interviewed Tony Law (and who can blame him). Tony is one of my all time favourite comedians, I met him last year and he is just as lovely as he is hilarious.

Sara Pascoe

Listening to this podcast has taught me a lot about comedy but it never feels as though I am being lectured: it’s an entertaining kind of learning. My all time favourite episode was Sara Pascoe’s because I learnt so much about her but also about the kind of person it takes to be a successful comedian. She described the general personality type that ends up in an art form such as comedy and also explained how she works; how she forms her shows. Sara is another of my favourite comedians/actors because she has a unique comic style and is also just a really nice person, which is always good.

Basically, you should definitely check out this podcast, even if podcasts aren’t really your thing (I don’t listen to them all that often). As I’m doing my GCSEs very soon and Art is one of my best subjects, I spend a whole lot of time sat on my own painting or drawing or whatever but listening to Stuart Goldsmith’s shows really help to pass the hours!