Bands don't release albums like they used to. Bands release a series of EP's on their own and then eventually take the best pieces of each, add new material and then release an album. Artists who have done this very successfully have been major label artists like Ben Folds, Foster the People, Mumford and Sons and indie artists like The Appreciation Post, Select/Start and MC LARS. This model has worked, because we as music fans and consumers live in a singles society of purchasing .99 cent downloads. It's a lot like the vinyl 45rpm's of the 50's and 60's, only in a digital format sent right to our iPhones, Droids or laptops. When I envisioned releasing a proper album in 2010, I was going to include stand up, funny songs and sketch. Instead, I took the approach of what a band would do in today's digital network with their material.
"Uncle Daddy" was an experiment in "comedy following the EP format". I am proud of that 25 minutes of work and one that I've grown from. I'm happy to have put that content into the world and it received the attention it did. It gave me feedback enabling me to work on things I do well and scrape away the material that doesn't work. It would've taken me much more time and money to accomplish that by doing 4 minute bits in open mic rooms to far less of an audience. An artist now has a potentially large audience providing instant feedback, reaction and insight with less financial expense; the internet.
"Yum Yum! Tastes Nice!" was made up of funny songs following the EP format. It was released just two months after "Uncle Daddy" and I had the advantage of Sally friggin' Struthers willing to dry hump me in a very funny video. Had I rushed it (releasing the EP, not humping with Sally), I could've put them on the same album, combining music and stand up. I had decided that following the EP format, it was necessary to keep them apart as two separate entities, that combining them would've been a bite too big to swallow, as I was still developing both the stand up, and the musical comedy act. I needed feedback first and that's what the EP format had enabled me to do. I delivered content often, in smaller bites, making it easier to consume and just like a rock band, always leave the audience wanting more. Very 2010.
With "The Other Dude" CD/DVD I reached out to those who have supported me by using Kickstarter. I received amazing, generous and kind contributions that I wasn't even sure I would get. That bit of capital allowed me to deliver a product that I'm proud of. Many friends helped me with it, from those financial contributions, to the artwork, photography and guest appearances. There's 43 minutes of audio on the CD, some of which you may have heard on either of the EP's, but the bulk of it is very fresh. On the DVD there's 32 minutes of video that include the funny music videos's along with some stuff that hasn't been posted on YouTube and Funny or Die.
The EP's made it possible for me to grow as a live performer and then carefully pick out the things that I did best and work on the things I could do better. I feel that without that sort of insight, I would never be able to release "The Other Dude" as a whole. It's a very cohesive, thought out body of work, that solidifies what I do best at this point in time. The delivery of it is much different than the EP's were. I emphasized the digital download on the EP's, whereas, I emphasize purchasing the physical media for this release. If downloading is your thing, by all means, download the audio, let me know if you did and at a show I'll sell you the CD/DVD for a little less. I just want it in your hands …the CD/DVD, not my penis. I'm a faithful, married man.
Recently, someone said to me that with music, an audience expects a live band to only play the songs that the fans know. A comedy audience expects the comedian to do the opposite; to always deliver something new. I feel that may not entirely be true anymore, thanks to our digital downloading, singles-based society. I notice bands release songs often, leaving less possibility for live material to seem unheard. When I think of contemporaries, I don't think of my influences. My influences were successful in a very different period (70's, 80's, 90's), but my contemporaries have been successful in our online-heavy marketplace (2000's). I've seen Aziz Ansari twice, in two different states, each time he's received outspoken requests to recite material from his album. Ansari took it in stride, and eventually retold those stories. The person requested that paid $35 for a seat and could've heard it on disc at home, but you know what? Their date may not have heard the album yet and was just treated to one of his best bits. When a young audience has gone to see Bo Burnham perform, as much as they like hearing new material, there's a lot to be said for him to share his classic bits or songs with them. It's comfortable, reminding the audience why they like the performer in the first place.
I have no fear in someone hearing "I Love You, Sally Struthers" on "The Other Dude" and being disappointed if they've already downloaded it from the EP version. Sometimes, a few familiar things are a good thing, especially when the older work compliments the newer content that follows. I needed to do so to make sure that the package as a whole represented one cohesive body of work, because my audience may become much larger than before. By that, I'm saying that I hope that more people are exposed to me through this newest effort. I expect people will discover "The Other Dude" before anything else I've released before. It represents 3 years of work, now polished with love, care and a little bit of humping from an Emmy-award winning actress.
I listened to Chris Rock and Marc Maron (on his WTF podcast) discussing if a performer could be seen too soon. Rock made very valid points, but even he seemed unsure in giving a definitive answer. Personally, I'm not entirely sure what's worse, being seen too soon or not being seen at all. I've been seen and heard, but my reach has been relatively small. With "The Other Dude" as a CD/DVD package, I feel that I've ditched the wings I used to wear and instead, strapped on a jet pack. Let this jet pack take me to the stars or send my brand of comedy crashing to the ground. Because either way, I will have been seen and not wondering what it would've been like if I hadn't tried at all.
I hope you enjoy this record as much as I've enjoyed the process of creating it, thank you.
- Nick
PS - If I do crash to the ground, make sure my younger brother takes care of my Garbage Pail Kids collection.
PPS - If I do crash to the ground, I'll probably dust myself off and continue working the 9 - 5 job I love.
PPPS - Yes, you can borrow the jet pack. Just ask.
PPPS - Don't tell my wife I bought a jet pack.
Pre-Order "The Other Dude" CD/DVD online at http://shop.theotherdude.com
Kick ass. Can't wait to get my copy!
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