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
Watch Michelle Biloon videos: www.biloon.com/videos.php
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.
Listen to “Beautiful Field” online at: https://fanlink.to/orgatroidfield
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.
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
“Beautiful Field” official video: https://youtu.be/NfaYGM0r-sw
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/
ANDY DALY NEW COMEDY ALBUM
‘FOUR MORE SWEATERS: MONSTERS TAKE YOUR QUESTIONS’
OUT TODAY VIA ASPECIALTHING RECORDS
ANDY DALY (Review, Eastbound & Down) releases his new comedy album FOUR MORE SWEATERS: MONSTERS TAKE YOUR QUESTIONS today via aspecialthing Records. A singular comedy album, Four Sweaters serves as the destined-to-be-cult-classic follow-up to Daly’s 2008 2-disc debut ‘Nine Sweaters’. On his new album, Daly portrays four original, demented characters including Dalton Wilcox, Poet Laureate of the West; Don DiMello, Theatrical Director; Chip Gardner, Candidate for Honorary Mayor of Hollywood; and L. Ron Hubbard. A balance of prepared material and crowd work, Daly delivers absurd new sketches with each character before then taking questions from the audience, giving Daly room to showcase his improvisational brilliance.
Andy Daly’s ‘Four More Sweaters: Monsters Take Your Questions’ Stream: https://bstlnk.to/fourmoresweaters
Digital download: https://astrecords.com/products/four-more-sweaters-monsters-take-your-questions
New York-born, New Jersey-raised Andy Daly starred in and Executive Produced the Comedy Central series Review and has appeared in many TV shows, most memorably Eastbound & Down, Silicon Valley, Veep, The Office, Rick & Morty, and The Who Was? Show. He’s also been in movies like Semi-Pro, The Informant!, and Transformers 3, in which he was killed by a copy machine. Andy is also known for his many podcast appearances, most notably on Comedy Bang! Bang! and on his own show The Andy Daly Podcast Pilot Project and its spin-off Bonanas For Bonanza. Andy was one of the earliest students of The Upright Citizens Brigade in New York and has been improvising with them ever since. He now lives in Los Angeles with his wife, two daughters, and a dog named Sunny who loves you very much.
VIDEO: Andy Daly is Dalton Wilcox, Cowboy Poet on CONAN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPvfGJtamRs
Follow Andy on Twitter & Instagram: @tvsandydaly
More at: https://andydaly.com/
ASPECIALTHING RECORDS 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 the aspecialthing Records catalog at: https://astrecords.com/
DWAYNE KENNEDY DEBUT COMEDY LP SET FOR RELEASE
‘WHO THE HELL IS DWAYNE KENNEDY?’ PRODUCED BY W. KAMAU BELL, HARI KONDABOLU, AHAMEFULE OLUO – OUT MAY 1
STREAM UNRELEASED ALBUM TRACKS BELOW
“Finally!” – MARC MARON
“The fact that Dwayne Kennedy is not a household name is insanity.” – SARAH SILVERMAN
Comedian, writer, actor, and Emmy Award-winning producer DWAYNE KENNEDY is set to release his debut full length album WHO THE HELL IS DWAYNE KENNEDY?. Co-produced by comedians W. Kamau Bell (United Shades of America) and Hari Kondabolu (The Problem With Apu) and executive produced by Ahamefule J. Oluo, the album will be out Friday, May 1st on Oluo’s Oak Head Records. 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. His satirical diversions and piercing perspective on social and world issues showcase a comedic genius heralded by the likes of Chris Rock and Marc Maron.
Recorded live at The Punchline in San Francisco, Who The Hell Is Dwayne Kennedy? finds Dwayne talking about racism through a discussion of the privilege necessary to be a serial killer. He imagines our technological future with bits about a talking house (who is a bigot) and the possibility of losing your wife to a robot. He depicts God as a vengeful, abusive partner who is a little too precious about his fruit. This record is timeless and timely, hilarious and brilliant, accessible and unique.
STREAM UNRELEASED TRACKS:
“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
Pre-order ‘Who The Hell Is Dwayne Kennedy?’: https://oakheadrecords.bandcamp.com/album/who-the-hell-is-dwayne-kennedy
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.”
HANNIBAL BURESS: “Dwayne Kennedy’s nephew was my roommate for four months in Chicago in 2008. We threw a house party and someone stole the Nintendo Wii. Also, Dwayne is a great comedian.”
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/
ANDY DALY TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM
‘FOUR MORE SWEATERS: MONSTERS TAKE YOUR QUESTIONS’
OUT APRIL 24 VIA ASPECIALTHING RECORDS
ANDY DALY (Review, Eastbound & Down) will release his new comedy album ‘Four More Sweaters: Monsters Take Your Questions’ on Friday, April 24 via aspecialthing Records. A singular comedy album, Four Sweaters serves as the destined-to-be-cult-classic follow-up to Daly’s 2008 2-disc debut Nine Sweaters. On his new album, Daly portrays four new original, demented characters including Dalton Wilcox, Poet Laureate of the West; Don DiMello, Theatrical Director; Chip Gardner, Candidate for Honorary Mayor of Hollywood; and L. Ron Hubbard. A balance of prepared material and crowd work, Daly delivers absurd new sketches with each character before then taking questions from the audience, giving Daly room to showcase his improvisational brilliance.
New York-born, New Jersey-raised Andy Daly starred in and Executive Produced the Comedy Central series, Review and has appeared in many TV shows, most memorably Eastbound & Down, Silicon Valley, Veep, The Office, Rick & Morty, and The Who Was? Show. He’s also been in movies like Semi-Pro, The Informant!, and Transformers 3 (in which he was killed by a copy machine). Andy is also known for his many podcast appearances, most notably on Comedy Bang! Bang! and on his own show The Andy Daly Podcast Pilot Project and its spin-off Bonanas For Bonanza. Andy was one of the earliest students of The Upright Citizens Brigade in New York and has been improvising with them ever since. He now lives in Los Angeles with his wife, two daughters, and a dog named Sunny who loves you very much.
VIDEO: Andy Daly is Dalton Wilcox, Cowboy Poet on CONAN
Follow Andy on Twitter & Instagram: @tvsandydaly
More at: https://andydaly.com/
ASPECIALTHING RECORDS 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 the aspecialthing Records catalog at: https://astrecords.com/
EUGENE MIRMAN FEATURE DOCUMENTARY “IT STARTED AS A JOKE”
TO BE RELEASED FRIDAY, APRIL 3 oN VOD
ITUNES PRE-ORDER AVAILABLE NOW
“It Started As A Joke” makes a lovely case that laughter is the best medicine.” – INDIEWIRE
LOS ANGELES — Gravitas Ventures, a Red Arrow Studios company, has announced IT STARTED AS A JOKE will be released on-demand on Friday, April 3. The feature documentary chronicles the decade-long run of the EUGENE MIRMAN COMEDY FESTIVAL including the final farewell show. Packed with stars and offering an intimate look at the New York comedy scene, It Started As A Joke celebrates Eugene’s unique brand of humor and his role in the alternative comedy movement. Heartfelt and hilarious, the doc offers a bittersweet goodbye to an era and reminds us of the healing properties of comedy—even in the most challenging of life’s circumstances.
The film includes interviews with Michael Ian Black, Kristen, Schaal, Wyatt Cenac, Ira Glass, John Hodgman, Kumail Nanjiani, Reggie Watts, and Michael Showalter along with performances by Daniel Kitson, Janeane Garofalo, Jim Gaffigan, Jon Glaser, Mike Birbiglia, Bobcat Goldthwait—and more!
It Started As A Joke made its world premiere to wide acclaim at SXSW last March. The doc went on to receive continued praise while screening at festivals across the country including BAMCinemaFest, Boston Independent Film Festival, SF Sketchfest, Nantucket Film Festival—and many more.
The film is directed by Julie Smith Clem and Ken Druckerman. Executive Producers are Michael Showalter, Jordana Mollick, Eugene Mirman, Julie Smith Clem, Olivia Wingate, Ken Druckerman, and Banks Tarver. It Started As A Joke is a Left/Right production in association with Pretty Good Friends and Semi-Formal Productions.
“It Started As A Joke” is now available for pre-order on iTunes at: https://apple.co/2Wmbh2m
“It Started As A Joke” will be available for viewing on Amazon, Google Play, Vudu, FandangoNow, Sony, Microsoft Xbox starting Friday, April 3.
“It Started As A Joke” official trailer: https://youtu.be/q6bJiF80-Eg
PRAISE FOR “It Started As A Joke”:
“A fantastic film that is both incredibly funny and unexpectedly devastating.” – The Daily Beast
“A lovely and unexpectedly moving profile. A hidden history of alternative comedy” – The Moveable Feast
“Rarely do you get to see this side of comedians (there’s a whole lot of love, affection, and self-deprecation), which is why “It Started As A Joke” is the essential love letter to the alternative comedy generation.” – DenOfGeek
“a warm and inviting bio-doc of Mirman, one of the funniest and most delightful people in comedy, who put all of this together while dealing with unthinkable personal troubles. And on top of all of that, there’s a lot of really good stand-up too.” – Flavorwire
More info at: http://prettygoodfriends.com/it-started-as-a-joke
POSTPONEMENT
“LETTERKENNY LIVE!” NORTH AMERICAN TOUR POSTPONED DUE TO CONCERNS SURROUNDING COVID-19
TORONTO, ON (March 13, 2020) – Due to the rapidly-evolving situation surrounding COVID-19, it is with great sadness that we have collectively made the decision to postpone the remaining North American dates of the “LETTERKENNY LIVE!” 2020 Tour.
The health and well-being of the fans and everyone involved with the tour is top of mind, and as such we feel that exercising extreme caution is the best decision for the safety of all.
Rescheduled tour dates will be confirmed and announced soon. Tickets for the postponed shows will be honored on the new dates.
NEW DATES ADDED TO HARI KONDABOLU COMEDY TOUR
HARI KONDABOLU is a comedian, writer, and podcaster based in Brooklyn, NY. He is currently on a comedy tour and has added more dates.
Kondabolu has been described by The NY Times as “one of the most exciting political comics in stand-up today.” In 2018, his Netflix special Warn Your Relatives was released and he was named one of Variety’s Top 10 Comics To Watch. Hari has released two comedy albums, Waiting for 2042 and Mainstream American Comic with the legendary indie rock label Kill Rock Stars. He has performed on The Late Show with David Letterman, Conan, Jimmy Kimmel Live, John Oliver’s NY Stand-Up Show, @Midnight and has his own half-hour special on Comedy Central. A former writer and correspondent on the Chris Rock produced FX TV show Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell. In 2017, he released his critically acclaimed documentary The Problem with Apu on truTV. Hari also co-hosts the Untitled Kondabolu Brothers Podcast with his younger brother, Ashok (“Dap” from hip hop group Das Racist) in New York City.
http://www.harikondabolu.com/
Twitter: @harikondabolu
Tickets and info: https://www.carolines.com/attraction/hari-Kondabolu/
VANESSA GONZALEZ DEBUT “MY BIRTHDAY’S TOMORROW”
OUT TODAY ON ‘ASPECIALTHING RECORDS’
LATE NIGHT DEBUT ON NBC MARCH 9
“Vanessa Gonzalez is Real, Funny, and Real Funny” —Austin Chronicle
“Her low-key delivery makes her incredibly crafty writing land big laughs, much to the delight of so many audiences.” —VULTURE, Comedians You Should and Will Know
Comedian VANESSA GONZALEZ (Comedy Central) releases her debut album “MY BIRTHDAY’S TOMORROW” today on ASPECIALTHING RECORDS. Recorded live in front of a sold-out crowd in Austin, TX where she was once crowned “Best Stand-Up Comic,” Vanessa lets the audience in and slays with hilarious, no-holds-barred autobiographical stories about her family—specifically her mom/grandma—refusing gifts of underwear, a covert dog giveaway, cutting friends out, using her theater degree to act like a preschool teacher—and more!
TO LISTEN AND PURCHASE:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/7e1O1nyYviixa4CoEAVEYp
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Birthdays-Tomorrow-Explicit-Vanessa-Gonzalez/dp/B083ZL4D2L
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/my-birthdays-tomorrow/1495383731
Vanessa Gonzalez is originally from Laredo, Texas. She started doing comedy in Austin in 2009 and was voted “Best Stand-Up Comic” in the Austin Chronicle before her move to Los Angeles in 2018. She was a breakout as one of the New Faces at Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal in 2017 and named as one of Vulture’s Comedians You Should and Will Know in 2019. She has her own half-hour “Comedy Central Stand-Up Presents” special, has been featured on truTV’s “Laff Mobb’s Laff Tracks” and HBO Latino’s “Entre Nos,” and created and starred in a web series called “Ms. Vanessa” for Mas Mejor. Vanessa has performed at festivals including SF Sketchfest, High Plains, Moontower, Odd Ball, Out of Bounds—and more! Her debut late-night appearance airs on Monday, March 9 on NBC’s “A Little Late with Lilly Singh.”
VIDEO: Vanessa Gonzalez Comedy Central “Getting Underwear From Your Boyfriend” https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=pNLGYwEM6-8&feature=emb_logo
vanessacomedy.com
twitter: @buhnessa
instagram: @buhnessamarie
ASPECIALTHING RECORDS 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 or 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.
Listen to releases from aspecialthing Records on Spotify here.
