Meet derrick brown | Comedian, Poet and Book Publisher

We had the good fortune of connecting with derrick brown and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi derrick, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?

“In some other world gigantic seashells hold humans up to their ears, but all they hear are the echoes of machines.” _Poet Jefrrey McDaniel

It means to me to be present and remember what a strange miracle it is to be human. To embrace the surprise beauty, failure lessons and hot mess of being human. To not just focus on tasks and upgrades like a machine.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I like to combine comedy and poetry. Comedy clubs don’t often want to book you if you do poetry and poetry venues aren’t keen on having comics infiltrate their spots. It has been a battle to embrace this duality that I love and its finally working out. I have a comedy/ poetry record launching September 14 with PGF/SubPop. None of this was easy and I often wanted to do something else that was easier. I may have focused on doing just poetry for a little too long. I still can’t fill a comedy club, but my crew and brownies are slowly finding my weird soup combo.

I have learned that you need to be an active audience member and notice how performers make you feel. The best tip for any comic is to know that the audience wants to know you, a little. They want to see who you are, not the polished fast paced version of you. You are practicing getting comfortable and present up there, not practicing getting more laughs per minute.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
When a pal comes to visit, we would start by taking a drive up the 2 into the mountains and hike Switzer Falls and dip in the creek. Then we would get sushi at Sugarfish or grub at Dune. At night we would get brisket tacos and avocado Margs at Mirate. Then we would end the night with some wine at Covell. Then we would make love poorly.

The next day we would see some weird ass comedy at The Lyric Hyperion or Hot Tub at Permanent Records Roadhouse or at Upright Citizen Brigade, Daniel Van Kirk has a tasty show there. We would eat at Saffys and then die. Then come back.

Next day, drive to Leo Carillo beach and swim. Catch a poetry show at Jr High hosted by Sofia Fey. Drink at the wonderful paperback Brewery, also in Glendale.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

Shout out to Cristin O’keefe Aptowicz and Kyle Kinane.

Kyle is massively inspiring as a writer/comic, humble as all hell and absolutely the GOAT at being creative in the approaches he takes to word placement and timing in his jokes. Every comic can learn three things from Kyle. Make it look effortless. Get the writing correct by cranking daily and making each joke tighter. Your joke tags will naturally expand if the joke hits a nerve.

Cristin is a massive writing talent for historical writing and poetry. She is a tireless champion to writers who need advice and spiritual uplift when they have chunked it. I have turned to her every month to catch a spark and she is a full on bonfire of encouraging joy and Philly style tough love. Oh and Anis Mojgani is an inspiring joy booster for my writing too.

Website: brownpoetry.com

Instagram: @derrickbrownpoetry

Other: writebloody.com

Image Credits
Holly Randall