Five of Australia’s best stand-up comics are heading regional as part of The Amazing Travelling Comedy Tour, with Aaron Gocs, Matt Steward. Angus Gordon, Nick Capper and Jess Perkins. Forté chat with stitch up comedian Aaron and RAW comedy finalist Jess ahead of the tour.
Thanks for taking the time to chat with Forte Magazine. How are you and what are you up to at the moment?
Jess: I am very well, thank you very much for asking! I am currently sitting at my desk, eating a toasted sandwich (cheese and tomato) and hoping my just-washed hair will dry in time for me to leave for work.
Aaron: Good thanks. Lots of dad duties for my two daughters mixed in with some comedy.
There has been a lot of talk about the tour. How did you get involved in this one?
Jess: My good friends at Stupid Old Studios wanted to take some stand up comedy on the road, and they kindly asked me to come along. I thought about it for approximately 0.003 seconds before yelling ‘YES’.
As a regional stand-up comedy tour, any expectations for the tour and the regional audiences?
Jess: I’m looking forward to performing in Ballarat, where a lot of my family are based. I’ve spent so much time there all through my life so it’s nice to be heading to Ballarat for a reason other than Christmas lunch at Grandmas. I’ve been super lucky to tour regionally a fair bit this year, as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow. So I have an idea of what to expect from audiences. But people always say that as if people in regional areas are like aliens and don’t understand our fancy Melbourne humour. They’re just normal people! We’re all the same!
Aaron: Looking forward to perform to some people who may not see much stand-up usually.
Do you already have your material planned for the show? What is your process for coming up with material for a tour like this one?
Jess: I have an idea of the material I will do, but there’s always flexibility. When you’re doing gigs like these tour shows, you want to show the audience your best stuff and make sure you really pack a punch. That said, sometimes you don’t really know what’s going to make them laugh until you’re already on stage. There has to be some room to change your set to match the audience.
Aaron: Yes I have material – I try to do the best stuff that I can.
Are there any times where you struggle to think up funny material, how do you overcome that?
Aaron: I just do things that make me happy and that I think are funny. I won’t put out something just for the sake of it.
As a comedian, you probably wouldn’t have too many boundaries in life. Is there anything you wouldn’t talk about in your shows?
Jess: Zebras. There is NOTHING funny about Zebras.
Aaron: I don’t like crude or obnoxious comedy so try to steer clear of that. A lot of it is about me.
What are your plans after the tour, any other upcoming endeavours?
Jess: Just working towards the Comedy Festival for next year. Doing lots of gigs, writing new material and working towards putting on a ripper show!
Aaron: Plans are to be involved in as much cool comedy stuff that I can!
When & Where: Babushka Lounge, Ballarat – November 10, Workers Club, Geelong – November 11 & The Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine – November 17
