by Nathan Alexander
Brad Wenzel is coming to Louisville to headline shows March 24 and 25 at Planet of the Tapes! Tickets can be found here.
Brad is known for his offbeat one-liners and wry non-sequiturs. He has performed standup on Conan three times, recorded an album with Jack White’s record label Third Man Records, and has recently released his first special. You can watch joke. joke. joke. here!
Brad was also selected as a New Face of Comedy at Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal, has appeared on Bob and Tom, and can be heard on Sirius XM.
Brad was kind enough to answer some questions from Louisville Laughs.
Louisville Laughs: You came to Planet of the Tapes in 2022 for a weekend of shows. What about your experience made you excited to come back?
Brad Wenzel: It’s such a good room and the audiences are really smart and fun. I also like the local comics in Louisville. I always enjoy performing here.
You started performing standup at 17 years old in Michigan, and you’ve honed an original and refreshing comedic voice. How has your style changed over the years?
I just slowly got better at writing and performing. I always did a version of what I do now, but with experience you learn what to do and what not to do. I have more fun onstage now. I’m much more myself up there even though I dip into absurdity material-wise.
You made your first of three appearances on Conan while you were still working out of Detroit and Ann Arbor. Being an established comedian now, how do you think starting your career in the Midwest has impacted you?
The Detroit/Ann Arbor scene is very underrated. You learn how to do stand up in front of real audiences rather than exclusively other comedians. There’s enough hip crowds and broad crowds that you become more well rounded as a comedian.
You released an album on Jack White’s record label in 2017 called Sweet Nothings. How does the album name relate to your style of comedy?
I was just looking for a way to describe silly jokes. There was a lot of “important” comedy in 2017. My stuff is goofy. My wife really likes that title. I think it’s one of those titles where once you finish the album it makes sense. I like that.
You released your first special this year on YouTube titled joke. joke. joke. which has gotten over 42,000 views so far. What was it like to record a special?
I self-produced it so it was a labor of love.
What has been your comedy highlight so far?
The Conan appearances were probably the most notable thing, but whenever I get a new joke to work, that’s the best feeling. Those moments on stage always remind me why I’m a comedian.
What hobbies and interests do you have outside of comedy?
I like listening to music and watching pro wrestling. I’m kinda obsessed with comedy though, it’s unhealthy. I like hanging out with comedians and talking about comedy.
What is your comedy horror story?
My bank account, folks!
What’s on your comedy bucket list? Who are some people you’d like to work with in the future?
I would like to perform in every state. I think I’ve done 34 so far. I would like to keep writing and making albums forever.
Don’t miss your chance to see Brad Wenzel this weekend at Planet of the Tapes! Tickets are available here for shows on Friday, March 24 and Saturday, March 25.