You’ve seen Mike Lawrence on television before. He’s done standup on the now defunct John Oliver’s New York Stand-Up Show, Conan, and he’s even had his own half hour on Comedy Central. Lawrence is based in New York where he performs at several clubs from time to time. He released an album, Sandamantium, to positive reviews. Now, the bearded comedian will be touring with Barack Obama’s new best friend, Marc Maron. This is a part of the Maronation Tour. From 6/25 to 6/28, the two will be going around the New York area spreading the comedy fever:

6/25- Port Chester, NY @ The Capitol Theatre

6/26- Brooklyn, NY @ BAM

6/27- Huntington, NY @ The Paramount

6/28- Red Bank, NY @ Count Basie Theatre

I spoke with Lawrence about his career and the things he likes:

I read that your mother was a standup comedian.

Yeah.

Does she still do that today?

No, she quit recently.

Did you learn the tricks and the trade from her?

I learned more that [comedy] was a possible thing. It just seemed like this untouchable thing you see on TV. That definitely helps making it an attainable goal.

You started at a pretty young right? In 1998?

I started doing poetry in 1998 and then I got into comedy in 2005. It’d be ten years in November.

What made you want to start?

I was doing poetry and getting more laughs in the poems. [I started] realizing there was no money or anything in poetry, so I figured I’d get into comedy.