Recently, comedian Arj Barker has spent more time in Australia than his own country, America – by now, probably understanding us more than we understand ourselves.
With more than 30 years of laugh-out-loud material shared with audiences here there and everywhere, Arj is ready to give audiences a good 'Power Hour' – a show filled with restored, refined and remastered jokes from his time in the industry, plus a little bit of improv and some brand-new stuff, too.
Arj is known for presenting insightful yet pointed commentary through his stand-up. He gained international exposure through his role as Dave on 'Flight Of The Conchords', and has since regularly appeared as a guest on shows hosted by David Letterman, Jay Leno, Conan O'Brian, Jimmy Kimmel and Bill Maher.
In Australia, he's a regular of the national festival circuit and has even been nominated for ARIA Awards.
Here, we chat with Arj ahead of his 'Power Hour'.
Tell us a bit about ‘Power Hour’.
It's 60 minutes of my best and favourite gags from over 30 years of working at this, so it's simply wall-to-wall LOL, you dig?
How does one ‘restore, refine and remaster’ existing jokes?!
Even existing jokes can be made better! As well, I'd like to think that I'm a better performer today than I was 5, 10 or 15 years ago, so that should also enhance the material. If you're still confused, then simply understand this: ME MAKE JOKES MORE FUNNY.
What has been the most fun thing about doing this?
Well bestie, it's just a thrill to put this particular hour together. It feels like a reward to myself after working hard and putting out so many different shows over the years. My previous gags are like dear friends I haven't seen in ages, and now we get to catch up and party together every goddamn night.
As someone with such a great history in comedy (spanning 30 years!) what advice might you give to a young comic with dreams of taking to the global stage?
Think of your career as a treasure hunt. No one seeking treasure ever finds it in the first place they look, do they? Be patient and savour the thrill of the hunt! And along the way, you will have little victories – perhaps discovering a silver chalice here, or a golden nugget there. Savour each part of the journey; each further step toward the Mother Lode. But be warned, young seeker of bounty: The Eagle is not what He seems! I have no idea what I'm talking about by the way – what was the question again?
What is the most bizarre new hobby you’ve gotten yourself into over the entirety of the pandemic?
Well it's not so much bizarre as it is SUPER F...ING COOL, but I've been teaching myself to have lucid dreams. (In short, a lucid dream is a dream where you're aware that you're dreaming while in the dream.) I've actually dabbled at this off and on for a few years, but the lockdowns gave me a chance to really focus on it. I go through phases of varying success but at the moment I'm able to do it about once a week (which is very very good for me!). Anyone reading this who doubts that lucid dreaming is real: it is 100 per cent real and in fact verified in a laboratory. It's also achievable for most people but aside from a few lucky 'natural lucid dreamers', it takes a bit of work. In case anyone is wondering which method I use, it's called The FILD Method. Google it.
There’ll be some new material here too. Where have you drawn inspiration from for this?
Here and there, and all around. Life is pretty weird in the best of times, and it just seems to get weirder all the time, doesn't it? I've never walked around thinking that what I do for a living is necessarily 'important'. However, in uncertain times, being able to laugh at the absurdity of life does seem to be a crucial coping mechanism that we humans share. So friend, I bid you enter my tent, and join us in our Comedic Commune. Laugh at my struggles. Feel your worries melt away. Covet my merch.
What’s your favourite thing about performing?
The shows. The joy of performing. Admittedly, in the early days, I may have been more about the party afterwards, but as the years have gone by I've come to realise that the best part by far, is the actual reason that I'm there: To sling my zing – and let the laughter ring!
And why do you think your show belongs in the programme this year?
Um. Wait. What? Because. . . I paid the registration fee and submitted all the required forms and show information prior to the deadline? Wait. Who are you? No way. . . Is this Matty? You f...er! I thought this interview was too good to be true! HAHA you got me holmes. Good one.
Arj Barker plays Athenaeum Theatre (Melbourne International Comedy Festival) 30 March-24 April.
