Reggie Watts is probably most known for playing the role as lead singer in the band Maktub. But the musician has decided to take a new path and start doing solo, alternative comedic performances.
His shows have been described as a mix of attending a club, concert and standup show because he incorporates improvised music and films along with his monologues.
Watts is doing two shows at the Lakeshore Theater, 3175 N. Broadway Ave., on May 4 and 5. He took some time to talk with The Chronicle about his new direction, where it has taken him and where he wants to go.
The Chronicle: Why did you decide to incorporate music with comedy?
Reggie Watts: I’ve always been a musician, but I’ve always been interested in comedy. After a certain period of time with a band, I thought it would be really cool to try and do comedy.
What are some examples of the content of your comedy shows?
I’ll talk about standard things like racism and sexuality and technology a lot. Most of the time I’m making fun of the topics that comedians generally talk about. They talk about drugs—although I do like to talk about drugs—and they talk about politics a lot and sexuality and all that stuff; it’s a mixture. But the reason I’m talking about those things is because I’m making fun of those topics and the way that they are usually done by comedians.
Do you think you relate well to other comedians or do you think some of them think what you’re doing is strange?
[Laughs] It depends on the type of scene generally. You know, there’s a movement of comedy called alternative comedy. In the alternative scene, we’re all friends and we all get along with each other. We do production and videos and go to each other’s shows, so I never really had a problem there.
What do mainstream comedians think of alternative comedians?
Mainstream comedians have a problem with some of the alternative comedians because they’re stealing the press and attention from mainstream comedy. They don’t really have anything to worry about, but some of those old-school comics are a little bit bitter about the competition. I never view anything as competition.
Are you also working on a new music album?
Yes, I’m working on two albums. I’m working on a music comedy album and I’m also working on a music album with Maktub.
What path are you more dedicated to right now?
I’m definitely more dedicated to my solo career right now.
What artists or comedians do you look up to or respect now?
I like a guy named Stewart Lee. He’s really amazing. Eddie Izzard. I like David Cross and Todd Barry. He’s totally hilarious.
How would you say your career and life have changed since you started doing comedy?
[Laughs] I would say that it’s changed in a way that’s allowed me to experiment with a new side of myself. It enables me to explore my ideas more readily and [take] control, which is also an amazing thing within itself. I’m the one completely in charge of my success and I don’t know whether that’s good or bad at this point.
Where do you call home now?
Now I live in New York. I’m from Montana but lived in Seattle for a long time. I moved to Seattle because I didn’t get accepted to acting school in New York.
Where do you hope your career is going in the future?
I hope it fails. [Laughs] I just want to get to a point where … one of my greatest days [will be] when I’ll have medical insurance that I can pay for.
Have you been to Chicago before, and what are you looking forward to on this trip?
I’m looking forward to playing the Lakeshore [Theater]. It’s a dope theater. I’ve seen pictures of it; it looks really fun. I’ve played [in Chicago] many times, but never stayed there that long. But, I am going to go check out this badass restaurant, that I forgot the name of, but it’s this weird futuristic restaurant, where they use liquid nitrogen to freeze foods and these weird thermal techniques they develop. They use the same types of food they use for NASA, but the restaurant actually serves this food as well. It’s super, super expensive, but a friend of mine is the chef, and [I] picked him up on his offer for dinner.
Lakeshore Theater is located at 3175 N. Broadway, Chicago. Tickets are available at (866) 468-3401 or online by clicking here.
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