Dan Deacon And Wham City

Dan Deacon is a Baltimore-based producer/comedian. He also heads his own record label, Wham City. Dan will be preforming with the Wham City Comedy Collective at the Paragraph Gallery Nov. 9.

He recently wrote in to discuss his favorite comedians, his approach to production and what inspires his oddball humor.

For more info on Dan Deacon, check out http://www.dandeacon.com/.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skCV2L0c6K0

What inspires your comedy?
Most of my performances on this tour is stream on conscience and structured improv. I really like letting my mind drift and seeing what comes out of my mouth. I’ve just always enjoyed making people laugh.

Who are some of your favorite comedians and why?
John Candy. His movies are totally awesome. I just recently saw some stuff he did with second city and it got me so excited. Steve Martin. His records are some of the greatest pieces of recorded sound ever.
The Kids in the Hall perfected the art of the sketch comedy TV show.

You recently re-released two of your older albums (Meetle Mice and Silly Hat Vs. Eagle Hat). What was the experience like of revisiting your earlier work?
It’s a lot like looking through old photos. Parts bring back great memories and other parts are embarrassing.

Your music has a whimsical/fun feel at times. How do you feel that humor has influenced your music?
I don’t think humor as much as a reaction against the pretension in most music, both popular underground and “classical.”

How did the concept for “Drinking Out of Cups” come together?
It’s another stream-of-conscience piece. I’m watching TV with the sound of an narrating in a stereotypical Long Islander voice. I grew up on long Island and, while not everyone from there talks like that or shares that characters views, it was certainly a jumping point of inspiration.

Did you start producing or DJing first?
Why do you think I’m a DJ?

Do you remember your first time behind the decks?
No, because I’m not a DJ and have never performed behind decks.

You tour a ton. What have been some of your favorite memories from being on the road?
The long drives through the American west are my favorite. Seeing the country and driving through the desert, the mountains, its amazing. That and escaping from the world for a few weeks and entering into a whole other parallel reality.

What is your setup in the studio?
I use the software Reason a lot to structure a lot of the tracks. I use it mainly for its softsynths and their orchestra sound bank, but this time around in the studio its been a lot more focused on orchestral instruments.

How has your production process evolved since you first started?
It’s certainly been getting less and less electronic and more and more acoustic.

How do you approach your live shows differently than your studio albums?
They are such different beasts I can’t even think where to begin.

What have been the biggest challenges you’ve had to overcome in your career?
Probably dealing with the fact that some people think I’m a DJ.

Is it harder to make people dance or make people laugh?
Depends on the people.