Reggie Watts Interview
March 2, 2011 —Reggie Watts has a giant network of hair that wiggles when he dances. He beatboxes and harmonizes with himself into a loop pedal, creating fresh jams and enveloping soundscapes. He is a genuine comedian who cares more about the audience’s laughs than his own appearance. His career is escalating rapidly, with an appearance on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, Conan O'Brien taking him on the road as the opener for the Legally Prohibited From Being Funny on Television Tour, popular appearances at an array of music festivals, and, most recently, the release of his album, Why $#!+ So Crazy? I was able to go backstage at Bailey Hall before his act and speak directly with the man with these unique talents. Abdul Taylor: So how long have you been your music/comedy act as a whole? How did you get started? Reggie Watts: I don’t know. I guess I took music lessons when I was a kid, starting at 5. I took piano lesson and violin lessons. I guess I just messed around with stuff. But, uh the music training definitely helped. AT: So were you in a band? RW: I was in a band in high school. (I noticed has he answered this question he dipped two fingers in a cup of water to wipe off a stop on his pants, which were rolled up to his shins). AT: I saw in your bio that you have received several awards for your creativity and talents. How important is it to you that you are recognized for those talents? RW: Uh, how important? I don’t know. It’s not that important it is. It’s not that important to me, [because] I would still be doing it if I did receive an award. [Yawns loudly]. I mean it’s nice that some wants to recognize you for something…They just want to get you appreciation in a formal way. That’s pretty awesome. AT: What were you doing before your music and comedy act? Did you have a 9 to 5? RW: I mean I guess I was always doing that stuff. [laughs]. I think I had two real jobs I guess. One was in a movie theater in Seattle, and the other was working at a health food store. Any other time besides that I was just living on doing music. AT: Have you seen any good movies lately? RW: Last movie I saw, I wonder if I saw any movies, I saw Unknown. It wasn’t that good. I thought it was going to be good! Cuz you know there were some reviews saying Liam Nessan is gritty and all this stuff, but I actually liked Taken a lot better, which is basically the same movie. Taken was awesome. Although I don’t know why they make him play an American, they should just make him European. Anyways. AT: I read that you do not drink. Is that true? So how do you bring in the New Year or celebrate your birthday? RW: No I don’t. I don’t know. I just have Kombucha or water or something. I’ll tell you, off the hinges. You know all those probiotics. Basically it. Tea or something? Maybe a sip of champagne and then I’ll throw the rest of it in a plant. Classy. AT: How did you get a job opening for Conan O’Brian? RW: One of his writers suggested me when they were asking for an opening act into the live show, because everything kinda of came together really quick for them. A colleague suggested me and then Andre Dubusahe, another writer for Conan and another friend of mine (we have the same manager), also called and then JP is the booker for the show and he said “yeah he’ll be good” and I’ve known JP since he was working for HBO. So they just suggested me and called me the next day and asked me to do it. AT: So how do you like Conan? RW: He’s amazing. Great. Good, good mannered person. Very fair to people treats them with respect. AT: Your act, I heard you like to disorientate your audience. Is that part of your comedic nature? RW: I guess so. I think it’s funny when things don’t make sense. It’s just funnier. Why make sense when you can have none of it? AT: If you had to do a 30-second elevator pitch, what would you do, what would you say? RW: Comedic performer who improvises because I can’t retain written material. AT: Would you be able to improvise for an hour or hour and a half long HBO Comedy Special? RW: The DVD on Comedy Central records was three improvised shows edited together so that wouldn’t be a problem. AT: What inspires you to create the content you produce in your music? RW: Everything around me. I don’t really have any places that I go for it, I just listen to music and that gives me ideas when I’m live on stage. Sometimes I’m making fun of it or replicating it in a way. Past experiences, radio, all that stuff. AT: If today was your last performance, how would you want people to remember you when everything is all said and done."What make sense when you can have none of it?"
Reggie Watts Perform1_0001
RW: Well I would like them to remember me first of all. However they can, whether it’s listening to old recordings or before the memory fades. I don’t know maybe as a guy who likes to F-around and have a lot of fun. [we share big laughs].