MICHELLE BILOON TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM
‘PERMANENT HAT’ OUT JULY 31 VIA ASPECIALTHING RECORDS
ALBUM PREMIERE ON SIRIUSXM JULY 24
“Genius material, effortless charm, and she puts the audience in such a happy mood.”
– PATTON OSWALT
MICHELLE BILOON (Comedy Central) will release her new comedy album PERMANENT HAT on FRIDAY, JULY 31 via ASPECIALTHING RECORDS. The follow up to her debut album, You Can Be An Asshole, Permanent Hat finds Michelle drawing from real life to delight the live audience with bits about parenting in 2020, a camping misadventure, the interesting people she meets, her twin sister—and more. In advance of the July 31 release, SiriusXM will premiere ‘Permanent Hat’ on the She’s So Funny channel on Friday, July 24 at 11:00 AM and 8:00 PM / EST.
Michelle Biloon is a comedian based in Philadelphia by way of Los Angeles by way of Austin. She began doing stand-up at The Velveeta Room in Austin, Texas and has since performed in comedy clubs and festivals across the U.S. and traveled as the opening act for Maria Bamford, Patton Oswalt—and many others. Michelle has appeared on Chelsea Lately, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, Comics Unleashed, Comedy.tv, The Gong Show with Dave Attell, and Premium Blend. She has been a guest on popular podcasts including Comedy Bang! Bang!, 2 Dope Queens, Doug Loves Movies, and Never Not Funny, and she hosted her own podcasts including Walking With Michelle, The Biloon/Forrest Project, THEBILOONCAST, and Disagree To Agree. Her debut comedy album You Can Be An Asshole is available on aspecialthing records and can be heard regularly on SiriusXM.
http://www.biloon.com
Twitter: @biloon
Listen to Michelle Biloon ‘Permanent Hat’ on Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/permanent-hat/1521738016
ASPECIALTHING RECORDS (AST) is a Los Angeles-based independent comedy record label owned and operated by Matt Belknap and Ryan McManemin. Stemming from an online message board, aspecialthing records has taken a D.I.Y. approach to producing and distributing the finest stand-up comedy albums since 2006. AST is home to Patton Oswalt’s Grammy Award-winning album Talking for Clapping as well as outstanding releases from Bob Odenkirk, Paul F. Tompkins, Doug Benson, Greg Proops, Jen Kirkman, Wyatt Cenac, Karen Kilgariff, Kyle Kinane—and many more. AST looks forward to expanding their catalog while continuing their dedication to exceptional emerging and established comics.
Stream releases from aspecialthing records catalog: https://astrecords.com
ORGATROID RELEASES DEBUT SINGLE “BEAUTIFUL FIELD” + OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO
Electronic duo ORGATROID release debut single BEAUTIFUL FIELD from their forthcoming EP for Delayed Records plus official music video. A transportational listen built on synths and traveling beats, Beautiful Field takes you to that perfect place where everything is magic. To being a kid, to being alive and having the ability to live in the moment where everything is possible.
Orgatroid is the electronic duo of longtime collaborators Jason Daniello and Jeffrey Richards. Their music is a mix of crisp electropop and haunting experimental synth textures. Daniello is a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who played his first guitar overlooking the lava-covered mesas of rural New Mexico. He studied electronic music and vocal performance at the University of New Mexico, became a self-professed “pedal geek” in the 90s, and led several bands in Albuquerque. He now calls Asheville, NC home. A native of North Carolina, Jeffrey Richards is also a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter. A former musical associate of the late Vic Chesnutt, Richards was a member (on guitar and drums) of world-touring Polydor recording artists Hazeldine.
Listen to “Beautiful Field” online at: https://fanlink.to/orgatroidfield
“Beautiful Field” official video: https://youtu.be/NfaYGM0r-sw
Proceeds of the sale of “Beautiful Field” on Bandcamp at: https://fanlink.to/orgatroidbandcamp will be donated to the PUEBLO RELIEF FUND https://pueblorelieffund.org
orgatroid.com
Instagram
Facebook
fanlink.to
Orgatroid’s “The Mothlight” on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jU1XccCejw
SF SKETCHFEST CELEBRATES FRED WILLARD WITH FREE RELEASE OF 2017 TRIBUTE VIDEO + JUNE “LIVE FROM THE ARCHIVE” TITLES ANNOUNCED
SF SKETCHFEST CELEBRATES FRED WILLARD WITH FREE RELEASE OF 2017 TRIBUTE VIDEO + JUNE “LIVE FROM THE ARCHIVE” TITLES ANNOUNCED INCLUDING APPEARANCES BY RICKY GERVAIS, CHRISTOPHER GUEST, THE MONKEES’ MICHAEL NESMITH & MICKY DOLENZ, PHOEBE ROBINSON, DICK CAVETT, PATTON OSWALT, GEORGE WALLACE, JOHN HODGMAN, PAUL F. TOMPKINS, PAGET BREWSTER, MICHAEL IAN BLACK, MICHAEL SHOWALTER—AND MORE!
SF SKETCHFEST remembers the late, great Fred Willard by releasing, for the first time, the 2017 tribute video featuring Willard in conversation with Kevin Pollak along with special appearances by Christopher Guest, Robert Klein, and Laraine Newman. A long-time friend and supporter of SF Sketchfest, Fred Willard first appeared at the second festival in 2003 with his Hollywood Players sketch comedy troupe. Over the years, Willard returned to the festival again and again for performances in the hit show Celebrity Autobiography and reunions of “Fernwood 2 Night” and “Waiting For Guffman.” The video is the first free release from SF Sketchfest’s recently announced Live From the Archive series. According to festival organizers David Owen, Cole Stratton, and Janet Varney, “Fred was our hero and he really helped put SF Sketchfest on the map so we wanted to celebrate his legacy by sharing this funny and touching event with all of his fans.”
The Live From the Archive series launched in early May with archival videos made available to watch in a 48-hour window for a $5 rental at sfsketchfest.com/watch. Previously announced shows, which are still available to rent, include the “Best in Show” 20th anniversary reunion, the “Airplane!” 40th anniversary reunion, and a tribute conversation between Molly Shannon and Bruce McCulloch.
Photo credit: Jakub Mosur
The final May release, slated for May 26, is a very special Roast of Peaches Christ featuring the local hero and drag superstar getting teased mercilessly by friends and colleagues Clea DuVall, Heklina, Heather Matarazzo, Jinkx Monsoon, Cassandra Peterson (aka Elvira, Mistress of the Dark), Coco Peru, Sister Roma, Mink Stole, and special guest John Waters.
Watch the trailer: https://vimeo.com/415008444
Recorded Live at SF Sketchfest on January 13, 2019. A fundraiser for Peaches Christ Productions and SF Sketchfest, with partial proceeds to benefit Shanti Project and Oasis San Francisco.
Upcoming June titles announced today include:
JUNE 2
SF Sketchfest Tribute: George Wallace in conversation and whatnot with Patton Oswalt
Watch the trailer: https://vimeo.com/4137584
Recorded Live at SF Sketchfest on January 19, 2020. Partial proceeds to benefit SF-Marin Food Bank and Brava for Women in the Arts.
AVAILABLE JUNE 2
SF Sketchfest Presents: Uptown Showdown Debate: Childhood vs. Adulthood
An old-fashioned comedic debate with Michael Ian Black, Jo Firestone, Dave Hill, Aparna Nancherla, Michael Showalter, Brent Weinbach, and host Kate Willett.
Watch the trailer: https://vimeo.com/413758510
Recorded Live at SF Sketchfest on January 24, 2017. Partial proceeds to benefit The Actors Fund supporting I.A.T.S.E. Local 16.
AVAILABLE JUNE 9
SF Sketchfest Tribute: Ricky Gervais in conversation with Christopher Guest
Recorded Live at SF Sketchfest on January 23, 2018. Partial proceeds to benefit Noise Pop Staff Relief Fund and The Chapel Staff Relief Fund. Photo by Dan Dion.
AVAILABLE JUNE 9
Theme Park Improv with Ian Brennan, Rachel Dratch, John Michael Higgins, Michael Hitchcock, Jessica Makinson, Oscar Nunez, Cole Stratton, and Janet Varney—with special guests Paget Brewster and Thomas Lennon.
Recorded Live at SF Sketchfest on January 27, 2018. Partial proceeds to benefit SF-Marin Food Bank and Brava Theatre. Photo by Jim Granato.
AVAILABLE JUNE 16
SF Sketchfest Tribute: The Monkees: Michael Nesmith & Micky Dolenz in conversation with Paul Myers
Recorded Live at SF Sketchfest on January 12, 2020. Partial proceeds to benefit The Actors Fund supporting I.A.T.S.E. Local 16. Photo by Dan Dion.
AVAILABLE JUNE 16
John Hodgman & Paul F. Tompkins: A Night of SF Sketchfest Comedy at the Speakeasy
Recorded Live at SF Sketchfest on January 19, 2019. Partial proceeds to benefit Boxcar Theatre. Photo by Jason Wolos.
AVAILABLE JUNE 23
SF Sketchfest Tribute: Phoebe Robinson in conversation with Favianna Rodriguez
Recorded Live at Sketchfest on January 23, 2020. Partial proceeds to benefit The Actors Fund supporting I.A.T.S.E. Local 16. Photo by Tommy Lau.
AVAILABLE JUNE 23
SF Sketchfest Tribute: Dick Cavett: 50th Anniversary of “The Dick Cavett Show” with Dick Cavett and guests Lance Bangs, Dave Hill, John Hodgman, and Mort Sahl.
Recorded Live at SF Sketchfest on January 12, 2018. Partial proceeds to benefit The Actors Fund supporting I.A.T.S.E. Local 16. Photo by Tommy Lau.
AVAILABLE JUNE 30
SF Sketchfest Presents: Kasper Hauser in “ZooDangle for Kidz!*”
*Not for kids
Recorded Live at SF Sketchfest on January 21, 2017. Partial proceeds to benefit 42nd Street Moon and The Punch Line Staff Relief Fund. Photo by Troy Conrad.
AVAILABLE JUNE 30
SF Sketchfest Spotlight: “Better Things” with Pamela Adlon, Diedrich Bader, Greg Cromer, Lucy Davis, Rebecca Metz, Alysia Reiner in conversation with Kevin Pollak
Recorded Live at SF Sketchfest on January 20, 2018. Partial proceeds to benefit The Actors Fund supporting I.A.T.S.E. Local 16. Photo by Tommy Lau.
SF SKETCHFEST TO OPEN UP STAR-STUDDED VIDEO ARCHIVE FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER
FEATURING: “BEST IN SHOW” CAST REUNION, GEORGE WALLACE, PATTON OSWALT, MICHAEL IAN BLACK, MICHAEL SHOWALTER, PEACHES CHRIST ROAST WITH ALL-STAR CAST & MORE
SF SKETCHFEST announces a new series of LIVE FROM THE ARCHIVE VIDEOS that will be released each Tuesday beginning on May 5, 2020. The series will feature many never-before-seen performances, tribute conversations and panel discussions from the past 19 years and will include appearances by many comedy and entertainment luminaries. The series will kick off on May 5th with the 20th Anniversary Reunion of the cast of “Best in Show” featuring Christopher Guest, Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Michael McKean, Jane Lynch, Jennifer Coolidge, Michael Hitchcock, John Michael Higgins, Ed Begley, Jr.—and more. May’s releases also include a tribute conversation between comedy superstars George Wallace and Patton Oswalt; the hilarious Uptown Showdown comedic debate Childhood vs. Adulthood featuring Michael Ian Black, Jo Firestone, Dave Hill, Aparna Nancherla, Michael Showalter, and Brent Weinbach; and a very special Roast of Peaches Christ featuring the local hero and drag superstar getting teased mercilessly by friends and colleagues Clea DuVall, Heklina, Heather Matarazzo, Jinkx Monsoon, Cassandra Peterson (aka Elvira, Mistress of the Dark), Coco Peru, Sister Roma, Mink Stole, and special guest John Waters. Additional titles will be announced in the coming weeks.
Archival videos will be available to rent at sfsketchfest.com/watch with prices starting at $5.
Shows are available to watch for 48 hours from time of rental.
Videos can be watched on most computers, mobile devices, and can be streamed via Airplay or Chromecast to your television.
Proceeds will go toward keeping SF Sketchfest afloat as well as supporting the artists featured and to select charities and fundraisers benefiting the Bay Area’s comedy community of artists and venues.
As COVID-19 continues to change the way that entertainment is presented and consumed during these difficult times, SF Sketchfest, a truly independent small business, hopes to bridge the gap between now and when it is safe to go back to presenting events in front of a live audience.
SCHEDULED BELOW are the first round of never-before-seen videos to be starting Tuesday May 5, all viewable at sfsketchfest.com/watch.
AVAILABLE MAY 5
SF Sketchfest Presents: “Best in Show” 20th Anniversary Reunion Panel
Watch the trailer: https://vimeo.com/413758297
Featuring: Ed Begley, Jr., Jennifer Coolidge, Christopher Guest, John Michael Higgins, Michael Hitchcock, Eugene Levy, Jane Lynch, Michael McKean, Catherine O’Hara, producer Karen Murphy, and moderator Kevin Pollak. (Recorded Live at SF Sketchfest on January 19, 2019.) Partial proceeds to benefit San Francisco SPCA and PianoFight.
AVAILABLE MAY 12
SF Sketchfest Presents: Uptown Showdown Debate: Childhood vs. Adulthood
Watch the trailer: https://vimeo.com/413758510
An old-fashioned comedic debate with Michael Ian Black, Jo Firestone, Dave Hill, Aparna Nancherla, Michael Showalter, Brent Weinbach, and host Kate Willett. (Recorded Live at SF Sketchfest on January 24, 2017.) Partial proceeds to benefit SF-Marin Food Bank and Marines’ Memorial Association & Foundation.
AVAILABLE MAY 19
SF Sketchfest Tribute: George Wallace in conversation and whatnot with Patton Oswalt
Watch the trailer: https://vimeo.com/413758461
(Recorded Live at SF Sketchfest on January 19, 2020.) Partial proceeds to benefit SF-Marin Food Bank and Brava for Women in the Arts.
AVAILABLE MAY 26
SF Sketchfest Presents: The Roast of Peaches Christ
Photo credit: Jakub Mosur
Featuring Peaches Christ with Clea DuVall, Heklina, Heather Matarazzo, Jinkx Monsoon, Cassandra Peterson (aka Elvira, Mistress of the Dark), Sister Roma, Mink Stole, with Roast Mistress Coco Peru, and very special guest, John Waters. (Recorded Live at SF Sketchfest on January 13, 2019.) This is a fundraiser for Peaches Christ Productions and SF Sketchfest, with partial proceeds to benefit Shanti Project and Oasis San Francisco.
Upcoming releases will be announced in the coming weeks and will feature appearances by Pamela Adlon, Kevin Allison, Todd Barry, Greg Behrendt, W. Kamau Bell, Peter Bogdanovich, Dick Cavett, John Hodgman, Kasper Hauser, Julie Klausner, Hari Kondabolu, Tom Lenk, Bruce McCulloch, The Monkees’ Michael Nesmith & Micky Dolenz, Brian Regan, Phoebe Robinson, Andrea Savage, Mort Sahl, Tom Scharpling, Molly Shannon, Paul F. Tompkins, Robert Townsend, Keenen Ivory Wayans, the casts and creators of “Airplane!” and “Animal House” and many more to come.
DWAYNE KENNEDY DEBUT COMEDY LP OUT TODAY
‘WHO THE HELL IS DWAYNE KENNEDY?’ PRODUCED BY W. KAMAU BELL, HARI KONDABOLU, AHAMEFULE OLUO
AVAILABLE ON OAK HEAD RECORDS
STREAM ALBUM TRACKS BELOW
“Dwayne Kennedy is more than a comic’s comic. He is THE comic’s comic’s comic. There are generations of Chicago comedians who talk like him, act like him, but they can’t write like him. Also, they didn’t have him in their weddings like I did.” – W. KAMAU BELL
“The fact that Dwayne Kennedy is not a household name is insanity.” – SARAH SILVERMAN
Comedian, writer, actor, and Emmy Award-winning producer DWAYNE KENNEDY releases his debut full length album WHO THE HELL IS DWAYNE KENNEDY? today on OAK HEAD RECORDS. Produced by comedians W. Kamau Bell (United Shades of America) and Hari Kondabolu (The Problem With Apu) and executive produced by Ahamefule J. Oluo, this debut LP from the Chicago comedy veteran is timeless and timely, hilarious and brilliant, accessible and unique. Dwayne’s satirical diversions and piercing perspective on social and world issues showcase a comedic genius heralded by the likes of Chris Rock, Marc Maron, Sarah Silverman, Maria Bamford, Baron Vaughn—and more.
Recorded live at The Punchline in San Francisco, with and intro by W. Kamau Bell, Who The Hell Is Dwayne Kennedy? finds Dwayne talking about the privilege necessary to be a serial killer, pondering our technological future which includes bigoted talking houses and the possibility of losing your wife to a robot, and a depiction of God as a vengeful, abusive partner who is a little too precious about his fruit. Remarkably this is Dwayne’s debut comedy LP though he has been a comedy legend for the better part of a couple of decades and regarded as one of the funniest, most thought-provoking, and influential comedians of our time.
Order ‘Who The Hell Is Dwayne Kennedy?’: https://oakheadrecords.bandcamp.com/album/who-the-hell-is-dwayne-kennedy
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/394qg9WixE9nq95YydUF8S
ALBUM TRACKS FOR STREAMING:
“Young Black Psychopath Trying To Make It”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iz1AP-rQjc
“I Used To Let White People Have It”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ur-4Hjkv5v4
A Chicago comedy veteran, Dwayne Kennedy has performed on The Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Kimmel Live and has both a Comedy Central Presents and Showtime special. He was a writer and correspondent for the critically-acclaimed series, Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell and also wrote for The Arsenio Hall Show and The Orlando Jones Show. Dwayne’s acting credits include roles on Seinfeld, Martin, and the upcoming Lindy West/Ahamefule J. Oluo penned indie-film Thin Skin. As a producer, he won a 2019 Emmy Award for the CNN original series ‘United Shades of America with W. Kamau Bell.’
HARI KONDABOLU: “Dwayne Kennedy is the greatest comedian you haven’t heard of and I believe it’s time we change that. This album showcases one of comedy’s great storytellers. Dwayne manages to deliver the truth in the most absurd and silly way possible. Never didactic, always hilarious.”
SARAH SILVERMAN: “The fact that Dwayne Kennedy is not a household name is insanity. When Jon Stewart left The Daily Show he was the first name that came to mind as a perfect replacement. Dwayne Kennedy is a brilliant mind of our time. If you’re not familiar, start your education with this album.”
MARIA BAMFORD: “LISTEN TO THIS ALBUM NOW! Dwayne Kennedy’s new album, ‘Who the Fuck is Dwayne Kennedy?’ reminded me again how irritating it is that this incredible American comic and national treasure isn’t more well known. Dwayne’s easy but honest storytelling style with unpredictable premises are heartbreakingly hilarious.”
BARON VAUGHN: “He’s one of those rare comedians that challenges you to really listen to what he’s saying and how he’s saying it. He’s the kind of comedian that doesn’t copy, he gets copied.”
APARNA NANCHERLA: “Prepare for the ridiculous greatness, world!”
Regarding Dwayne’s influence on the Chicago scene:
MATT BRAUNGER: “I can’t overstate how much our ragtag gang looked up to Dwayne Kennedy in Chicago. He was like our champ. Everybody went to an open mic on Monday called the Lion’s Den, and we all scrambled from the bar into the stage area to watch Dwayne. He went up after me one night and said, “Man, you gonna make me follow Matt Braunger?” That’s the first time I felt like a real comedian. Dwayne is one of the funniest to ever do it.”
KYLE KINANE: “I went to open mics less to work on my own comedy and more because I’d get to see Dwayne Kennedy every week. Most times that was more valuable than running my own jokes, because I got to watch what real craftsmanship was early in my career. The only reason I’m still doing comedy is because of Dwayne. So if you don’t like me, blame him.”
JOHN ROY: “Dwayne Kennedy is a comic genius, and the main inspiration for a generation of Chicago comedians.”
More at: http://www.dwaynekennedycomedy.com/#album
Who The Hell Is Dwayne Kennedy? will be available on Ahamefule Oluo’s Oak Head Records: https://www.facebook.com/oakheadrecords/
