Ramin Nazer Interview: SXSW 2010

When you enter someone's home, it's pretty customary to expect to get offered a drink, a spot on the couch to relax and maybe even a meal. Ramin Nazer won't offer you any of those things. But, when you go to his hometown of Austin, Texas for SXSW, he will tell you some jokes. The upstart comic recently sat down with Spinner to discuss his style, inspiration and 'The Secret World of Alex Mack.'

How would you describe your sound in your own words?

It's just an exaggerated version of who I am in real life, which is pretty much what any comedian is. I'm not much of a storyteller with jokes. It's more short, quick ones and surreal stuff. I never ignore when things get awkward or when someone doesn't understand something. I like to break the fourth wall pretty frequently.

What made you want to start doing comedy?

I think it's something I've always wanted to do. I think anyone that does it, it's something they have in the back of their heads. It just takes the courage and balls to do it. Once you start doing it, you just don't stop.

What are some of your influences?

Everything from 'The Simpsons' to 'South Park' to 'Frank and Zappa.' Other comedians are big influences, too. I'm influenced by Mitch Hedberg, Brent Weinbach, Andy Kindler, Bill Burr, Tim and Eric from 'Tim and Eric Awesome Show.' It's just too many to name, I guess.

Do you remember the first joke you told on stage?

The first time I went on stage I said, "It's my first time, don't laugh." That got a laugh. Most of the jokes after that didn't get a laugh because they were all terrible. I wouldn't say my first show went how I wanted. I got a few sympathy laughs. Everybody's first show is an abomination. I'm just glad there weren't a lot of people there to see it, tape it, or remember it.

What is your biggest vice?

Chocolate. That's a good answer, right? Or I could do some more substance abuse-y stuff for this rock 'n' roll site. I should name brands of alcohols or strings of plants or something.

What's the craziest thing you've seen on the road or on stage?

People have taken their balls out on the stage when it's not appropriate or necessarily legal to do. But they did it anyway. They've taken them out and put them in a cup of ice. There are near-fights, people vomiting, heckling. People have gotten the cops called on them and gotten tasered. But I've never been tasered, never pulled my balls out on stage and never put them in a cup of ice.

Who was your first celebrity crush?

I like Alex Mack a lot, from 'The Secret World of Alex Mack.' Larisa Oleynick is her name.That sounds like a pedophile thing to say right now, but at the time she was older than me, so it was okay.


David Dennis Jr. is a contributor from Seed.com. Learn how you can contribute here.