59 - What It's Like being a Comedian // The Area's Stand-Up Scene
I grew up watching a ton of comedies. I always wondered what it's really like getting up on stage and trying to make a room full of strangers laugh. I sit down with local stand-up comedians Ian Mu and David Truong to chat about them getting into the Sydney comedy scene from open mics, weird jokes, their jokes that landed or bombed, and what it takes to keep coming back to the mic (even after a rough set).
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Guests: David Truong & Ian Mu
David's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_davidtruong__/
Ian's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ianstagramu/
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Items mentioned
Hiring actors NOT to laugh at a comedy show by Misfit Minds
I Brought Silent Mimes To A Comedy Show! by 4fun
yeahmadtv - https://www.youtube.com/@yeahmadtv
The Cheatcoders Podcast - https://www.youtube.com/thecheatcoders
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Want to get in touch? Send us an email at ricenmicspodcast@gmail.com
Follow us on our socials: https://linktr.ee/ricenmicspodcast
Music: aKu - Love Shine | aKu - The Final Blow
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Chapters
0:00 Intro
3:00 How do David and Ian know each other? First gigs?
7:00 Was this a COVID project? How did it all start?
11:17 How hard it is to get on stage to begin with
15:34 Running your own show, difficulty selling tickets
20:10 Improv is not the same as stand-up, dealing with hecklers
23:55 Focusing on this full time
29:29 Role models
35:34 What is the average set length? Set etiquette
42:30 Worst bombs
52:19 Staying motivated, coming up with jokes
1:01:07 Comics helping other comics… If you know them. Clean vs dirty jokes
1:07:28 Taboo, low hanging fruit jokes
1:12:18 Representing the area
1:13:42 Advice for aspiring comedians
1:19:09 Outro
Ian Mu
Stand up Comedian
I’m Ian Mu, a stand-up comedian from Southwest Sydney. During the COVID lockdowns, I got really into comedy podcasts like Bad Friends, and although I knew podcasting and stand-up were different, stand-up felt more accessible for me to start with.
As soon as restrictions lifted, I googled stand-up comedy, did a course (which wasn’t great), but the best part was that it pointed me to venues with open mic nights where anyone can get on stage.
Fast forward three and a half years, because of comedy I’ve performed interstate, travelled internationally, made friends I never thought I’d have, and turned what began as a small hobby into something I’m truly passionate about. I’m excited to see where this journey takes me next.
David Truong
Stand up Comedian
Hi, I’m David. I work in insurance and live in Southwest Sydney. I first stumbled into comedy by watching Russell Peters, Kevin Hart, and Jo Koy on YouTube. I built up the courage to compete in a local competition called Mounties Got Talent, which was my first taste of getting laughs on stage. I was lucky enough to make it to the finals and even win some KFC money.
After parking it for years, one of my mates asked me to join him at an open mic. The moment I hit the stage, I was hooked. It felt like a drug, and I started jumping on stage as often as I could.
A few years later, I’ve made a lot of friends and contacts, and I regularly try to get on stage. It’s my escape and fuels my creativity.
If there’s something you’ve put on the back burner, something you’ve wanted to try but felt scared you might look silly, just go for it.
