4 Then Interview: Andy Haynes

In the 4 Then Interview series, DCC4N hopes to answer the question on many DC comics' minds..."What happens when I leave DC? Mainly, do I still exist?"

In this edition, jetsetter Andy Haynes, who is in town for a few must-see days this week, compares the comedy scenes between his native Seattle and his home-away-from-home DC; reveals the secret to getting booked (not to be confused with The Secret); and talks about the next destination on his comedy frequent flier map.

So what have you been up to since leaving DC?

I've been living in Seattle, in my mom's basement, telling jokes about that, and lots of other things, as often as I can. This past November, I did the Seattle International Comedy Competition. Because I was a semifinalist, a lot of doors opened and I was able to start featuring around the Northwest, and a little farther beyond. In fact I've ruined my evil mother's evil Subaru driving all over to perform. Also I've dabbled in a couple of improv classes and sketch too, but it's been mainly standup. The scene here is really great, very open.

[Hit the jump for more of Andy's wisdom pearls!]

When did you start doing stand up and where did you do your first open mic? How did it go?

I started in December of 2004, at the Comedy Underground in Seattle, which is my home club. I did good enough to want to do it again, but it will probably be a funny metaphor for my career in the future. On the drive home from that, I was listening to the BBC, 'cause I'm smart. They interrupted the program to announce the tsunami. So that's my anniversary; the same night that the single largest natural disaster occurred. Here's a mad lib: [Fat Person You Hate] is now the largest single natural disaster! [Rim shot].

When did you decide it was time to leave DC?

After I won my month in the showcase, November '06, and nothing came of it, I went home to visit for the holidays. There was time everywhere, and this amazing indy/alt scene; weekly shows in venues the size of the 9:30 club, with hip young audiences, and then all the clubs were letting people go up. Then when I got back to DC, I felt like I was getting better, 'cause everyone is good there, especially discipline-wise, but there was no upward mobility outside of the Improv, and I wanted to get better, so moving home seemed like my best option.

How would you compare the comedy scenes in Seattle and DC? How would you compare the audiences?

Seattle is definitely on a smaller scale as far as the clubs go. They're all tinier venues, and we don't get the names that the Improv does, at least not as often, but because of this, there's a lot more access. There's no contest-style selection process. There's open mics, and then when the bookers like you, they book you. Except all the hosting is unpaid, so that's basically first-come, first-serve. But its more of a meritocracy, although shitty people do seem to get up a lot still, so that's the cost of it.

Then there's the alt/indy scene, or the Peoples Republic of Komedy, which is known as PROK out here, and its basically union-style, except they are on good terms with two out of three of the clubs. Imagine if Curt Shackelford broke into twenty 20- to 35-year old comedians that smoked and drank too much, and never mimed typing. They have rooms all over, lots of open mics, and showcase style things in rock venues. The Laffhole, which is the hallmark of the alt-scene, fills up a 300-person rock venue every Wednesday. The show is probably the most successful alt-show in the country based on attendance. Because of that, when anybody from the LA or NY scenes is in town, they usually perform there.

I've been very spoiled by them, and the audiences are hipsters and comedy nerds, so it's nice for working on that kind of act. But the clubs round it out, 'cause they're still as bad as any Friday late show, so you learn a lot. I think there's just a lot more access, but the caliber isn't always as high; but I think it helps people grow, and there's somewhat of a community, based out of the clubs.

What do you do to get booked?

Its mainly been through going up a lot at all the clubs, and either the booker or a headliner liking me, and booking me or taking me on the road. There's a lot of one-nighters out here, and if you can throw a decent twenty five up, they'll most likely book you again. Otherwise, through PROK, I've been able to book things like comedy and music festivals, and the occasional benefit. Having a home club you can hang out at helps a lot too, cause the managers usually know other gigs, and if they like you, they'll throw them your way. I've been working since November, and I've never sent out a press kit. I don't even have a headshot, if that says anything, other than that I'm completely unprofessional.

Here's some of Andy's work with comrade Scott Moran as the comedy duo, Scott & Andy:



Would you like to branch out into improv or sketch? What has your experience been like in these two areas?

I would love to branch out, and I've been trying forever to do so, but I've never had the time to do them seriously. I've taken four or five entry level improv classes, and other than the Poonanza, have done no sketch. If I had the free time I would though. Every time I've tried to do improv outside of a class, I just suck, 'cause I've never really performed regularly. I think you have to, to get out of your head, just like standup. Most of it has manifested into either working off page onstage in my standup, or videos. I'm moving to New York, in June, and I plan to enroll in UCB classes as soon as I have the money. I think it's the most beneficial tool for a comic.

Have you ever run your own room/produced your own show in Seattle? How did it go?

I've helped the PROK guys with some shows, but that's about it. I've been very greedy, 'cause all I really want to do is perform, and for some reason people have let me get away with it. I think you have to help a scene though so everyone can gain. I'm happy to help, but I rarely have to; though if I'm asked, I do.

What was one of your favorite rooms in DC?

I loved all of them really; Dremos, Rendezvous, even Soho, but I will always remember Bossa on Thursday nights as the first place I felt like a comic. Seaton Smith ran the room, and he was always good to me about time. It seemed like the whole crew there was all learning together and getting better every week. Before it closed in September '06, I spent every Thursday of that summer there, and it had become a great show. The upstairs was hot and crowded, dark like a jazz club, and the bartenders were hot. We just had so much fun, I was gay for it. I can remember the first time I ever killed, I got off the stage and my heart was close to exploding, and there were all my best friends. I couldn't have been more content. It closed the weekend that I first emceed at the Comedy Factory, and it was so tragic, I felt like I had been dumped in absentia.

What's on your plate next, in terms of comedy?

I'm moving to New York in June. I guess that means I'm starting over in a way. Contentment doesn't challenge me, so moving to the hardest city to do this seems like the right move. I'm gonna try to go up as much as I can, and like I said, do improv and sketch or whatever I can. I've met some guys that said they'd bring me on the road to middle, and hopefully I can get out of the city to do that. But NY is probably going to be a full plate just trying to break in.

How would you describe your style of stand up, and how has it evolved since you started?

I'm not sure how I would describe it. I'm just trying to have fun, and occasionally sneak something relevant in. As for evolving, not sure either, I just know I'm getting better.

Here's some of Andy's video work!



You can catch Andy in the DC area this week!

Andy will be at Topaz Hotel on April 10 and the Hyatt in Bethesda on April 12.

Also, Andy wants you to know he will be anywhere else there is stage time to be had.