Run The Light With Ian Edwards

In today’s edition of Run The Light we interview stand up comedian and writer Ian Edwards.

Ari: How did you first get into stand up comedy?

Ian: I was obviously young, stupid and looking for a way to make even less money than I was already not making at burger king.

Ari: What did your family say when you told them you wanted to be a comedian?

Ian: They didn’t say anything because I didn’t tell them I was doing it. They found out and came to one of my shows with a bunch of friends. It was a Saturday night in an all white club and a bunch of black people roll in late wearing church clothes while I’m cursing on stage. It’s a good thing I was hosting. I was shocked to see them, so I wrapped up my set and introduced the headliner 10 minutes before he was supposed to be up. It was like, “You didn’t tell us you were doing comedy, so we’re not telling you we’re coming to see you do it.” Touché parents.

Ari: How long had you been doing comedy before you felt as though you were good at it?

Ian: I still don’t know if I’m good at it. Just kidding. I’m confident now but it took 10 years to get to the point where I only doubt my skills once in a while. Now I want to be great, that’s the new problem I’ve created in my head.

Ari: You just released your first stand up comedy CD, what made you decide to release it now?

Ian: Because it was overdue, thus the title 100% Half Assed. Plus you can’t get to greatness if you don’t release a few comedy DVD’s or several albums. So I better start. 100% Half Assed is me accepting I have been too laid back and correcting it. The good thing is I was looking to do an album and Conan’s company was ready to start a label, so in some fucked up way my laziness paid off.

Ari: You are the first CD on Conan’s new label, how did that come about?

Ian: I’m still trying to figure that out myself. I was sitting in the green room getting ready to do a set on the show when JP Buck, Conan’s talent booker asked if I ever considered doing an album, because they were thinking of starting a label. After that we had some meetings, planned everything out, and bam!

Ari: What do you think has changed the most in stand up comedy since you first started?

Ian: Man you said that like I was old you son-of-a-bitch! When I started a manager saw something in you, and his/her belief in your talent motivated them to work hard to get you on TV show and advance your career. Now they wait for you to pop on social media, then try to hop on board. I told a young comic last night that he needs to find a manager who believes in him. Whenever I’ve done that I’ve been successful.

Ari: You seem to be always working on something new, what made you decide to kick it into gear and start writing all the time?

Ian: Do I? Shit! You sure you’re interviewing the right person? I’m trying to make retirement money and according to my accountants calculations if I want to be a lazy old man I gotta start working period. I realize the clock is ticking and there are a ton of things I want to accomplish so I better get to it. Plus It’s my fault if I don’t do what I want to do.

Ari: Do you still get nervous for auditions or showcases?

Ian: Auditions yes. Showcases no. I”m trying to fix the audition part. I’m confident about my stand up because I’m always working on it. So I’m kinda carefree at showcases. I wanna transfer that carefreeness and confidence to auditions. So I’ll probably start drinking before I go to one.

Ari: What do you think your biggest weakness in comedy is?

Ian: My social media game is my biggest weakness in comedy. It’s a big part of the game and I’m proudly terrible at it. I need to step it up for real.

Ari: What is your next goal in comedy?

Ian: I want to direct.

Ari: What advice do you have for up and coming comedians?

Ian: Work harder than you complain or at least turn those complaints into jokes. It’s your fault if you don’t make it not someone else’s. No one can work harder at stopping you from making it, than you can to make it. So stop blaming others. Move on, and believe in yourself.

Ari: Anything else you want to share with the world?

Ian: I barely answered these questions so I definitely don’t have anything else except love.

Find Ian At

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Get His New Album!