Meet Gabe Gibbs | Comedian

We had the good fortune of connecting with musical comedian Gabe Gibbs who is headlining Dynasty Typewriter on Sunday, May 12th at 4PM as part of the Netflix is a Joke Festival. and We’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gabe, what are you inspired by?
I’m inspired by my friends who make things.

Whether it’s a painting, a show, a short film, a dining table, an event — whatever!! There’s so much that gets in the way of actually finishing something. Actually following through with in idea. So, seeing my friends put the pieces together of their own creative pursuits and start to make things regularly is inspiring.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a Musical Comedian. Which is to say, I make music that’s meant to be funny! I think what sets me a part is that I care deeply about both music and comedy.

I grew up in a very musical family and prior to my life as a comedian, I was a broadway performer. So, I’m really picky about the music I’m writing and try to elevate that part of my work as much as I can. I also almost strictly consume content that leans comedic. I think comedy is such an important combatant to the way the world can make us feel and a powerful antidote to loneliness.

Entertainment is a hard thing to find a way into. I had been singing in church since and auditioning for small parts in commercials back home in Detroit since I was very young. So, it’s been a slow and constant pursuit towards finding what I’m best at, and what I care most about. But, through persistence (a lucky break on broadway, and a viral tik tok or two, lol) you can find a small foothold to work from; some touch points to shape your creative identity. The hardest part it seeing the shape of it before other people do, and trying to stay the course.

I think the biggest lesson is keeping your creative north star in the right place. Make what you and your friends would want. Period. Not what you think is the “right thing” or what you think people want from you.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My perfect LA day is as follows:

Get coffee at La Calombe in Frogtown.

Little hike in Griffith park.

The breakfast burrito at Cafe Los Feliz.

Take a nap.

I would get fish tacos at Playita Mariscos in Silverlake.

Take another nap.

Pack some snacks, and go to a show at the Hollywood Bowl.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Soooo many people are the reason I get to do what I love — I owe everything to the squad!

My family is so important to me, my wife being president of all that. Unfortunately for her, she has to hear every song/bit/shtick a thousand times before they’re public. But, that’s become a key part of my “process”, if I may use such a dramatic word. In this way, everything I make gets put through the filter of her taste and changes (in large ways and in small) for the better.

I also owe a lot to the guidance of some creative pals, Patrick Muhlberger, Stephen Walker, and Alden Derck. They’ve all changed the way I make things.

Website & Tickets: www.gabegibbs.com

Instagram: @gabegibbs

Facebook: gabegibbs

Youtube: @thegabegibbs

Image Credits
photos by Bettina Niedermann