Matt Braunger is one of our all time favs, and is just killing it right now. “It” being life, bro. His new album “Shovel Fighter” (released July 17 on Comedy Central Records) is just ridiculous fun from beginning to end. He has been touring like a mad man (or, like a comedian) and luckily for us has been popping up in all the right places (Google will take you to those places, or Bing even might?) as “Shovel Fighter” is released. How much more flattering shit do we have to write Matt before you ask us to KICK IT WITH YOU? Take a hint man. Read on to understand why we like Matt so much (dude is likable) and why you should go buy “Shovel Fighter” stat.
____
Photo by Kyle Mizono
____
Serial Optimist: Matt! It’s been almost two years since we last talked, and you’ve just been nailing it!. What’s been going on? Where are you living? Any significant LIFE MOMENTS we should know about?
Matt Braunger: Jeez, it’s been that long? Wow. Well, I’m still in Los Angeles in the Silver Lake area. My first hour special “Shovel Fighter” just aired on Comedy Central, and an album (separately recorded) of the same name followed. Other than that, just developing new stuff to pitch or do onstage. Going to Portland next month on vacation. Fun stuff.
SO: “Shovel Fighter” is awesome. Congrats! What has the preparation been like for the special?
Matt: I did a ton of press and podcasts and probably annoyed the crap out of anyone who follows me on Twitter with my tweets about it. Sadly, the whole Direct TV/Viacom fiasco cut out 20 million potential viewers, but over half a million people still tuned in. Which is awesome.
SO: “Shovel Fighter”. Fun title or deeper meaning?
Matt: It’s just a title based on a joke I do on the special and album, but I like it because it’s ridiculous. A real grabber, mostly because people go, “Wait, what?” as soon as they read or hear it. The 70s-style album cover of a guy in the middle of the woods somehow in a pristine suit goes well with the title too, for some reason. It’s good and weird and silly.
SO: You’re referred to as a “lightning rod for awkwardness”. Is that an apt description? Embracing the awkward has been something comedy has done with a no fear attitude in recent years, maybe really starting with the British version of “The Office”. Do you intentionally go after awkward?
Matt: Not so much like that, because shows like that (what’s called “Cringe humor”) have the advantage of letting the viewer experience the awkwardness firsthand. Whereas with my act, I’m telling a story. There’s a removal. Still, in terms of moments that you look back on and wince, we can all relate. I have a ton of those experiences.
____
____
SO: The vinyl cover (which came out July 17) and it’s so perfectly amazing. How involved were you in the design process for the DVD and vinyl cover, and the overall aesthetic of “Shovel Fighter”?
Matt: Thanks! I came up with the idea for the cover and worked with a photographer and Comedy Central to design it to my specifications. I even used a wardrobe person to find me the suit I’m wearing on it. The DVD cover was a collaboration as well, but designed more by the Comedy Central art staff. Still, I had final approval. I love what they (and we) did with both. We also collaborated on the animated opening sequence, the set design, and the DVD extras. My friend Ben Wise composed the theme song. All of it was a super amazing experience. So much fun.
SO: It’s been great to watch your character Gene on “Up All Night“, one of our favorite new shows. How did that opportunity come about? What has the experience been like for you?
Matt: Thanks. Playing Gene is the best time. What an idiot. I basically just auditioned and got it. It’s a weird experience, because I play a guy who loves being married with kids who judges everybody and has no self-awareness. In real life I am unmarried, childless, try to give people the benefit of the doubt, and (as a result of my occupation) self-analyze constantly. Strangely, this makes the character extra enjoyable to play. It’s freeing in a sense. Also, the cast and crew are the best. Will Arnett, for example, is just constantly making jokes and pretending to be a pretentious Hollywood jerk in between scenes. He’s really the opposite.
SO: You have been touring a ton and always seem to be doing shows with some of our favorite people. What have been some of your recent/favorite shows you’ve been a part of?
Matt: Oh man, I gotta go with the Just For Laughs Festival in Chicago a couple weeks ago. I headlined the Hideout, which was one of my favorite places to see bands when I lived there. I also did shows with some of my favorite comics and oldest friends. Pete Holmes’ live podcast at the Hideout was a standout experience. Just an incredible night.
____
____
SO: Who are some of your favorite people to collaborate with?
Matt: My friends, like Kyle Kinane, TJ Miller, Matt Dwyer, Jonah Ray, Kumail Nanjiani, so many more. Also, Andy Wood with the Bridgetown stuff and the up-and-comers from Portland and everywhere else. I just like working with funny people who have unique perspectives, basically.
SO: Who are some comedians you think are just killing it right now?
Matt: Man, so many. I’ll go with some up and comers. Mike Burns, Ian Karmel, Ron Funches, Emily Heller, Jerrod Carmichael, David Angelo, Sean Flannery, so many.
SO: I love following the Matt Braunger/Kyle Kinane/Mike Burns adventures. Any fun plans with the three of you coming up?
Matt: Well, on Saturday we watched boxing then went to a party straight out of “Weird Science” together, so there’s that. Kyle and I are developing a new project we’re going to pitch around, and I’m sure Burns will have something to do with it eventually. Love those guys.
SO: If you had 60 seconds to tell people why they should order the “Shovel Fighter” DVD, watch the special, get the vinyl, and get a Braunger tattoo on their ass, what would you say?
Matt: The Braunger tattoo on the ass I could never sell, mostly because there are tons of people with that name in the Midwest and they’d be angry. That said, I just try to be as funny as I can be while bringing people into my mind/world/viewpoint. My whole job is to give people a break from their problems and provide a good time, hopefully something I’ve done on the special and album. Basically, it’s an hour of my best stuff from the past couple of years. Please enjoy. Also, instead of spending the money on the tattoo, throw a party to watch my special and spend the cash on weed.
SO: The album is amazing, truly. Aside from the special, tell us where we can find you and what other projects you have coming up this year? Thanks Matt!
Matt: Thank you! You can find my touring schedule at mattbraunger.com. New episodes of “Up All Night” coming soon and come see me on the road!
____
SO Note: Find Matt here, follow Matt @Braunger, and most importantly get “Shovel Fighter” here!