An Interview with Noah Cicero

First published on The Huffington Post (15th December 2011) //

Noah Cicero is a novelist, poet and short-story writer from Youngstown, Ohio. He has authored six novels, the first of which, his influential and widely-acclaimed small press namedrop The Human War (2003), has just been made into a feature-length film. Cicero’s work has been described as ‘angry’, ‘political’, ‘bleak’ and ‘absurdist,’ among other words. He is currently 31 years of age.

Azazel Jacobs Interview (in full)

First published on The Rumpus (21st November 2011) //

A New York transplant working in LA, and son of the legendary experimental filmmaker Ken Jacobs, Azazel has journeyed steadily through the independent film scene since his debut in 2003 with Nobody Needs to Know.

He arrived this year with Terri, his biggest feature yet, a droll and unsentimental portrait of a pyjama-wearing teenager, played by newcomer Jacob Wysocki. Carer for his ageing uncle (an impressive by Creed Bratton), Terri must also deal with high school, the assistant principal (John C. Reilly) and generally growing up. A well-documented fan of The Clash (he appears unofficially in the Strummer biography, The Future Is Unwritten), Jacobs once said that he wished all of his interviews were about the band. We sat down for a chat about both.

Doc Brown Interview

First published on The British Comedy Guide (3rd November 2011) //

Before turning to stand-up, Doc Brown (aka Ben Smith) was a successful rapper releasing three full-length solo records, and one other with the politically conscious London collective Poisonous Poets.

Since his departure from the UK rap scene in 2007, he has appeared on Comedy Rocks With Jason Manford before going on to perform critically-acclaimed shows at the Royal Albert Hall, the Soho Theatre and the Edinburgh Festival, picking up credits in The Inbetweeners, Miranda and Joe Cornish’s film Attack the Block along the way. All while co-creating the forthcoming BBC teen comedy-drama The Four O’Clock Club.

Eugene Mirman Interview

First published on Splitsider (25th October 2011) //

I don’t make it a habit to go meeting comedians, especially American ones who live far away, and especially funny ones who have the power to embarrass and slight me on my little voice recorder. But I made the exception for Eugene Mirman, a long-standing cornerstone of the New York comedy circuit. Because he was nearby, in the town of London, where I live.

As well as an actor in person (Flight of the Conchords) and in voice (Bob’s Burgers, Aqua Teen Hunger Force), Mirman is currently shooting his very own show, and will also soon be seen taking down The Dictator in Larry Charles and Sacha Baron-Cohen’s latest collaboration next year.

Gerald Locklin: An Interview

First published on Spike Magazine (August 8th 2011) //

Gerald Locklin has, in his lengthy career, alternately been called a “people’s writer”, a “stand-up poet” (co-credited for coining the term) and, by his friend and contemporary, Charles Bukowski: “one of the great undiscovered talents of our time”.

Dave Stordy: Struggler

First published on Spike Magazine (October 5th 2011) //

In the first of a double bill, Declan Tan interviews struggling comic Dave Stordy about Bobby Davro, Segways and the bleaker side of stand-up

Richard Herring Interview

First published on Spike Magazine (October 5th 2011) //

For comedy aficionados, Richard Herring needs no introduction. So we’re not going to give him one. Declan Tan asks the questions

Dan Fante Interview

First published on Spike Magazine (August 1st 2011) //

Carrying the torch passed on by Bukowski and Hubert Selby Jr, for many Dan Fante is America’s most vital writer. Interview by Declan Tan

Alex Horne Interview

First published on AOL Asylum.co.uk (March 9th 2011) //

Asylum chats to comic Alex Horne about death, life and whatnot.