Interview with Dan Soder

I definitely think that I assess jokes differently now, you can’t be as careless as comedians used to be able to be. But most of my material is personal so public sentiment doesn’t really affect it.

Interview with Dan Soder

Could you first introduce yourself to the reader?

Hi! My name is Dan Soder, I’m an American comedian who is sometimes on a show called Billions and I have Sirius/XM radio show called The Bonfire with Big Jay Oakerson. I’m tall, enjoy sleeping in and I love rainy weather, so I’m looking forward to Edinburgh in August.

How would you describe your show?

It’s about being the son of a deadbeat father and wondering if that means I shouldn’t have children to avoid similar mistakes.

Why do you want to perform at Edinburgh Festival Fringe?

It’s a historical festival with thousands of incredible performers and something I’ve always really wanted to do. I’m filming a special in October in the States and this is the perfect way to get ready for that taping. 

What differentiates it from other festivals?

Other festivals aren’t as historic and also don’t allow the performer to do as much performing as the Fringe does.

What first motivated you to enter the industry? Who were your inspirations?

Watching comics like Dave Chappelle, Patton Oswalt, Maria Bamford and Bill Burr always made me want to be a great comedian.

If you didn’t have your current job, what would you probably be doing?

I honestly would probably have a job where I had to do small amounts of actual work and then just got to sit and hang out with coworkers. (I was always a pretty terrible employee when I had a job that sucked.)

If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?

I would love to run those machines that crush cars into cubes. Cause, why not? It looks like so much fun!

What is your earliest childhood art memory?

Watching Mel Brooks movies with my Dad and he told me that you could be funny for a living. It blew my mind.

Do you ever feel any pressure to be a social commentator, or constantly update material to respond to events?

I don’t feel smart enough to tell people how to think. That being said, if something crazy happens in society, being a comedian might be the best job, because you just get to make fun of it.

Equally, do you think there has been a shift in public sentiment that has affected your work?

I definitely think that I assess jokes differently now, you can’t be as careless as comedians used to be able to be. But most of my material is personal so public sentiment doesn’t really affect it.

Describe the last year in 5 words or less?

A lot of airports.

If you could work with anybody, from any point in history, who would you pick and why?

Mel Brooks, I just think his level of satire is so funny and clever. He’s the best.

Why would a performer opt to do either a ticketed event or participate in the free fringe? What are the benefits and limitations of both?

I don’t really know since this is my first Fringe. I just hope people come out to see the show and enjoy it.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to take a show up to the fringe?

Make sure you have a roommate that you’ll enjoy spending a lot of time with. (Hi Sean Patton!)

When and where can people see your show?

I’ll be in the Dairy Room at the Underbelly, at 7:15pm every night. 

And where can people find, follow and like you online?

Dansoder.com is my website and @dansoder on Instagram (and sometimes twitter).


Dan Soder’s debut Edinburgh comedy show ‘Son of A Gary’ will be at the Underbelly Dairy Room at 7.15pm from 31st July – 25th August. For tickets go to www.edfringe.com

Header Image Credit: Provided by Impressive PR

Author

Tom Inniss

Tom Inniss Voice Team

Tom is the Editor of Voice. He is a politics graduate and holds a masters in journalism, with particular interest in youth political engagement and technology. He is also a mentor to our Voice Contributors, and champions our festivals programme, including the reporter team at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

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