Arj Barker is an American stand-up comedian and actor, most known for his stand-up comedy shows and film appearances like the HBO sitcom Flight of the Conchords. He’s coming to Newcastle and the Hunter for a string of shows. He took some time out to chat with Newcastle Live.
Why is it ‘go time’ for Arj Barker?
I’m not going! im coming!…Wait that didn’t sound right. My show is called ‘Go Time’, but coming there to perform it
Describe the show in three words.
HI. LAR. IOUS.
Where do you find most of your inspiration for writing from?
I think the best idea come naturally when you’re aren’t trying to hard to think of them. So I’ll often not try. But sometimes it backfires and I just end up wasting time. Its tricky!!!
Are you a beer, wine, spirits type of guy?
Depends. On hot day: beer. With nice meal: Wine. In a haunted house: spirits.
Has your comedy change as you’ve gotten older? If so how?
Yes I think I have gotten more better at pretty much just getting to the point of what i’m trying to, as it were, just verbally communicate, in-so-much as can be done succinctly and without making it too wordy and whatnot have you.
Are you reading any good books at the moment? What are they?
I just finished ‘Rama’ by Arthur C. Clark. A nice sci-fi read that was. Now i’ve started ‘Crossing the Event Horizon: Human Metamorphosis and the Singularity Archtype’ by Jonathan Zap. I guess you could call it a self-help book. The authors thesis is that the human race is on the verge of evolving into something better. I hope that’s true, based on the news lately.
What advice do you give young comedians?
Do not fear failure. Embrace it. You can learn more from a bad show than one where you smash it. If you love doing comedy, there will be no question refusing to give up. If you give up, it probably wasn’t your true calling and that’s fine too! And also, always pull the drain plug of the tub before you get out, that way if you slip and fall, you’ll just get a head injury, not drown also. But i give this advice to everyone, not just comedians.
Lastly, what do you think of (Australian comedy icon) Barry Humphries banning the ‘f-word’ at this years Adelaide festival?
I don’t swear as much as I used to, but I still swear sometimes onstage, much as I swear sometimes in real life, and i try to be honest in my comedy and be myself when performing. So I’ll continue to do so I imagine, and if Mr. Humphries has a problem with that, I guess he can get fucked.
Catch Arj Barker’s ‘Go Time’ at the following venues
Friday 15th August
Cessnock Leagues Club
http://www.cessnockleagues.com.au
Friday 22nd August
Belmont 16’s
http://www.16s.com.au
Saturday 23rd August
Wests Nelson Bay Diggers
http://www.westsnewcastle.com.au/about-us/nelson-bay
Friday 29th August
Wyong Leagues Club
http://www.wyongleagues.com.au
Saturday 30th August
Wests New Lambton
http://www.westsnewcastle.com.au
Tickets are now on sale via – http://www.alist.com.au/whats-on/detail/index_html?category=Arj+Barker&content_id=164237
