Nate Bargatze Interview / Bridgetown Comedy Festival Performer

One of the highlights of going to a comedy festival is that no matter how much time you spend watching comedy, you’re going to see someone, new and awesome, do comedy that will blow your mind away. In a world, where everybody with a voice has worldwide distribution, it can be difficult to tune into the signal you really want to hear. In this world, the Bridgetown Comedy Festival acts as a filter to reduce the noise and clutter of the Internets and the YouTubes –and brings you the cream as it rises to the top of the comedy world.

Nate Bargatze is a dollop of cream suspended in the comedy milk that is destined to float to the top, and is one of the comedians at this year’s Bridgetown Comedy Festival that we’re really looking forward to seeing perform.

Nate is on the rise, but don’t let that fool you, he’s a comedy veteran. I don’t mean “veteran” in a military sense, although, he has done five tours in Iraq and Kuwait…comedy tours, that is. I mean he has been at this for awhile, long enough to become a favorite of esteemed comedians like Marc Maron and Jimmy Fallon. His comedy is drawn from a variety of life experiences that include having a father who was a professional clown, hence the name of his comedy album Yelled at by a Clown.

Come see Nate and nearly 200 other comedians at this years Bridgetown Comedy Festival May 8-11th.

–@nathansanborn

 

NATE BARGATZE’S BRIDGETOWN SHOWS AND APPEARANCES

ANALOG THEATER LATE SHOW Thursday, May 8th 2014, 11:00 pm – 12:30 am, Analog Theater
TAXI MAGIC STAGE AT ALHAMBRA THEATER PRIMETIME Friday, May 9th 2014, 9:00 pm – 10:30 pm, Taxi Magic Stage at Alhambra Theater Main
THE LIVE READ Saturday, May 10th 2014, 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm, Taxi Magic Stage at Alhambra Theater Main
HAWTHORNE LOUNGE LATE SHOW Saturday, May 10th 2014, 11:00 pm – 12:30 am, Hawthorne Theater Lounge

 

INTERVIEW

NATHAN SANBORN:  Nate, you’ve traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and around the world. How do you find/expect Portland to compare to the nicest and worst places you’ve been?

NATE BARGATZE:  I have been to Portland before so I’m already a fan. You guys got me on board so it won’t take much convincing. I love traveling all over and seeing what each city has to offer. I also bought my favorite jacket in Portland so it will always have a special place because of that.

SANBORN:  Tell us what you’re most looking forward to about this year’s BCF.

BARGATZE: Bridgetown is one of my favorite festivals. It is very comedy orientated and there is nothing better than getting to hang out with comedians. They do great job at putting it together with great venues and it is just, flat out, a fun time. I feel like it’s not fair because it really feels more fun for me.

SANBORN:  You grew up in Tennessee, lived in New York, currently live in L.A… what are the stupid assumptions that the rest of us make that are either the farthest from the truth or spot on that surprised you?

BARGATZE:  I think on how redneck-y people think the south is. There are definitely parts but, overall, everyone is just like all other places. I think I even enjoy going to big cities and seeing the towns right outside the city part are basically all the same. We are all really not that different.

SANBORN:  Being a parent, growing up in the south, being Italian, having a father who was a working clown, living in N.Y. and L.A., you have a lot of life to draw material from. What is going on right now in your life that will be new material in the future?

BARGATZE:  I think a lot will be coming from being a parent. But I don’t want it to be too much. I like to have a balance of kid and no “kid material”. Trying to think about growing up, like I did, and relying a lot on that. Getting more biographical.

SANBORN: Looking at some of the work you have already done, some of the biggest names in comedy are your fans. It looks like you’re well on your way to success to those that follow comedy closely. But, it looks like those not paying attention have a bit of catching up to do. What is one thing that you wish everybody knew about you? By the way, this doesn’t have to be true. For example, I wish everybody knew that I was a great lover…I’m not a great lover, but it’d be awesome if this little bit of misinformation was passed around America’s dinner tables as if it were fact.

BARGATZE: That I am a big Vanderbilt University fan! I love college sports and my love is all Vandy. So just getting that out there –so more people know about them. I did not go there either but I am fine with people thinking I did –makes me look smarter than I am.

SANBORN: Can we all just agree, at this point, that I’m not that good at coming up with Q&A questions?  What question should I have asked that I didn’t? Feel free to answer as well…you should…that was a great question! I wish I would have thought of it!

BARGATZE: I loved these questions. Honestly. Felt like you really are a comedy fan and they were questions directed to me and not just typical questions to any comedian. You did great! And you are a fellow Nathan. So that goes a long way. Thank you for asking.

SANBORN: Again, thank you for your time. Enjoy your time in Portland, and I look forward to catching one of your sets while you’re here.

END