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Interview: Comedian Eugene Mirman on affable Conchords and chunky youth
Eugene Mirman has become one of those rare things in the indie entertainment world — both ubiquitous and fairly anonymous. He’s shared the stage with indie rockers such as Modest Mouse and Yo La Tengo, has a slew of videos populating the Web, been seen up and down the TV dial, and has even penned a satirical self-help book, ‘The Will to Whatevs.’
But Mirman’s most mainstream visibility has come courtesy of his work on HBO’s musical comedy ‘Flight of the Conchords.’ He is currently opening for the show’s eponymous stars Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement. We caught up with Mirman by phone to discuss his comedy influences and fat kids.
The M.O.: There seems more than ever to be a clan of comedians working together on all sorts of projects, from TV to stand-up to Web content. Can you talk about having that rich peer group with which to work and is there any sense of competition among you?
Mirman: I would say that it actually isn’t really that competitive. I’m only really speaking from my point of view, in the sense that it’s not like I’m going to get the same role as Kristin Schaal would get, or Aziz (Ansari) or somebody. In terms of collaborating in the different shows and things, it’s fun. I have nothing to compare it to. It’s hard to say, ‘it’s amazing, unlike this other thing.’ For me, that has been my career … it’s been collaborating with and knowing these people. But I think it’s amazing. I think I happen to be in place with tons of incredibly funny people making very, very interesting stuff.
To what do you trace your absurdist sensibility and humor?
I think just a lot of the things I liked as a kid. I guess I don’t know. I wanna say the Velvet Underground, but they’re not particularly absurd (laughs).
What was the idea behind your book “The Will to Whatevs” and who were you trying to help, Eugene?
Fat kids.
What do fat kids need help with?
I don’t know. But I’m pretty sure this book will help them.
What has the experience like working with Bret and Jemaine?
Working on the show was super fun. They’re just genuinely extremely sweet guys and very, very funny. But touring with them is unbearable because they’re just so polite. Like, come on, stop being so nice to those around you, it’s exhausting. I get it, you’re a really great person.
You’ve been to Austin a thousand times. Is there anything you look forward to doing when you get the chance to come to town.
I actually do love Austin. When I think of places I would potentially live, Austin is definitely one of them. There’s a place that used to be called Ben’s Barbecue that’s my favorite. Even though it changed its name (J. Kelly’s Barbecue), the recipes are all the same. So I go there and I try to go to Waterloo Records, and sort of just in general, to cute little shops and weird places.
Flight of the Conchords with Eugene Mirman [info.]
Thursday, 8 p.m.
Bass Concert Hall
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