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Nathan Brannon is joining the big time. A consistent presence in the local comedy scene since 2006, the Portland-born and -raised comic signed with Kill Rock Stars last December, joining such comedians as Cameron Esposito, Hari Kondabolu and Emily Heller.
He's recording his second full-length album this Friday at Alberta Street Pub, and it'll be the label's second Portland album already this year. MIKE ACKER.
WW: You were part of the crew that did the historic Suki's open mic; what was that like?
Nathan Brannon: Imagine Cheers set in Berlin during World War II. There was still smoking, you could see the haze; it was almost at head height. I had a 'fro back then, and I had to wash my hair every single night. But no matter how sketchy that place was, it was always cool. You felt like everybody in there was there to work.
How did the Kill Rock Stars deal come about?
I got to know them over the last year; the members of Kill Rock Stars come out to shows. They approached me last summer, and I was like, "Wow, this is nuts." Just talking to them about what their mission statement is, and looking at their past work, I was definitely onboard.
What has working with a label been like?
I think we're on the same page as far as what kind of stuff we want to put out. Our mindsets are on the same level. Plus, all the comedians that are on there? I'm by a mile the least famous comedian they have, so I'm just soaking up everything.
Portland is a tough place for comedians to earn a living. Are you planning to follow in the footsteps of comics who have moved to Los Angeles?
I can't see myself being here for very much longer. There are a lot of good people who have helped me out in my career here, and I'll always have a soft spot for them, but I feel like I've been here too long. But the thing with L.A. is that it's hard to pack up without any prospects. I have a pretty good following around the country…but so far I feel like I'm not really what they're looking for, industry-wise. There are a couple networks that I've auditioned for, and it's pretty obvious I'm not what they're looking for, which is totally fine with me. I have buddies who have built a fan base off of YouTube, they have millions of fans. It leaves a bad taste in your mouth, but that's the thing: If you go down there and you don't have any prospects, it's ruthless.
An album from Kill Rock Stars might help with that.
That's what I've always said, "Give me shot, take a listen to the stuff I'm doing." It's pretty awesome to have them vouch for you and put you out. Hopefully, a lot of people in other places will hear what I have to say, and that will be just as good as being on CBS or NBC or Fox or whatever.
Do you feel any sense of ownership of how much the comedy scene has grown in Portland?
I never thought of myself as having helped to build the scene. If anything, you see other comedians here working really fucking hard, and that makes you work harder. Every night that you're like, "I don't want to go to a mic," it's like: "I bet so-and-so is at a mic. I bet they're trying out a new joke, just like you had that new joke. But they're not too chicken shit to try it out."
I don't think there's one, or a handful of comedians, who made Portland the way it is. I think it's the attitude of trying to really do something in comedy, both as an art and a profession. Susan Rice, Dwight Slade, Dax Jordan—if anybody was to say they built Portland comedy, it would be that group. They were headlining before any of us. No matter how successful any of us get, we watch them.
GO: Nathan Brannon's live recording show is at Alberta Street Pub, 1036 NE Alberta St., on Friday, Jan. 22. 7:30 and 10:30 pm. $13.29. 21+.
Willamette Week