James Bran: The Edinburgh Interviews 2019
Who? James Bran
What? Hack
Where? Just the Tonic at The Caves – Just Out of the Box (Venue 88)
When? 18:00
What are your feelings as you enter into this year’s Edinburgh Fringe season?
I have taken a few years off from the Edinburgh Fringe so I’m amped up and raring to get stuck back in. If my memory serves me correctly that feeling will last about six days after which I will be continuously exhausted, hung over and damp.
What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?
The premise of the show is this – in comedy taking shortcuts, or the path of least resistance is considered being a hack. This is bad. In computing – taking that same shortest path is considered preferable. As the tech industry sets about dominating the world this short-cut culture is affecting all of our lives.
What is the biggest obstacle you face(d) while putting this show together?
The topic of big tech fears is slowly moving into mainstream news, but back when I started writing the show lots of the info existed in academic books and sources which are a bloody nightmare to read. That’s sort of the point, to relay in an amusing way the fears I (and I would argue we all should) have about the rise of Silicon Valley.
Has your attitude towards the Fringe changed at all in recent years?
When I was younger it was just an exciting place to be – swimming in an ocean of creative and talented people pushing the boundaries of the arts. It is still all of those things, but eight years on I now make money doing stand-up around the country, and so I do feel more pressure to put on a really good show.
Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?
John Kearns and Pat Cahill are doing a show that will obviously be amazing and chaotic in equal measure. Jake Baker is my unsung hero of comedy and he is performing a short run at the end of the festival. Go see ’em. Oh and if you like physical comedy for the whole family, the Kagools have a new show I’m excited to see.
Where would you like to be in a year’s time?
In the little room on the top floor of the Soho Theatre doing this show.