Austinist Comedy: Stand-up Comic Lisa deLarios
This month, the Austinist kicks off a monthly interview series with local alt-comedy performers featuring interviews with Austin's best stand-up, spoken word, sketch, improvisation, and comedic actors. For the inaugural interview, we hooked-up with Lisa deLarios, local stand-up and frequent performer on some of Austin's best know stages. She recently returned from performing at this year's Aspen Comedy Festival, and discusses New York, being an agrarian at heart and getting her start.
How long have you been doing stand-up?
I started doing stand-up in 1995. I was living in Dallas with my musician boyfriend and my parents were getting a divorce. I was 21 and decided that I needed to go to NY and try my hand at comedy. It was something I had fantasized about since kidhood. So I used my college money and took the leap.
What brought you to Austin?
I performed in New York for about ten years. I learned so much but I was always uncertain about what I really wanted to do with my life. I have always had this internal conflict between the agrarian Lisa and the rock and roll comedy Lisa. I thought that if I moved to Austin, maybe I could be a farmer and do comedy. I still don't know if that is possible, but I do have a backyard. I'm getting closer.
You appear in the BBC's Demetri Martin special, "12:21" in a room full of other New York stand-ups...How was performing in New York?
Demitri Martin and I performed in the same clubs alot before he was a big comedy star. He is so smart and funny and nice.
I made many great friends in the NY comedy scene over the years. That is what I miss the most...my friends. I started at the open mics, got in at a couple of clubs and then started doing all the other comedy rooms at bars, restaurants, and theatres. There is no shortage of performing opportunities in that city.
Who is your favorite comedian?
I really love Paul F. Tompkins and Maria Bamford
There's been conversation lately about women in comedy...how being female factor into your comedy, if at all?
I think being a woman effects how I navigate being in the comedy scene. Socially. As far as my material, I think a dude could probably do most of my jokes... as long as he got the timing right.
When the going gets tough, sometimes I try to convince myself that I can't do it because I am a girl, but then I dare myself and I can never turn down a dare.
Oh, and I try to always wear really sexy clothes when I'm on stage.
How would you describe your comedy style?
Slow and steady and rated PG.
Who are your comedic influences?
I didn't have a TV growing up, so I think my comedic influences are my family members.
Which is funnier to you: slipping on a banana peel or a sarcastic comment?
Slipping on a banana peel while making a sarcastic comment.
Dave Chappelle or David Cross?
Dave Chappelle.
Steve Martin or Bill Hicks?
Steve Martin.
The Carol Burnett Show or Mama's Family?
Can't choose between Carol Burnett Show and Mama's Family. Both delightful.
Complete this sentence: prop comedy is __________.
A special treat when used sparingly.
What is really interesting to you right now that's not related to comedy?
Humane education, buying junk, camping and trying to read more.
Got any favorite random "overhear"?
This woman at the antique mall telling her coworker that she "can't eat Miracle Whip, because when she was a kid she got real sick off of Miracle Whip."
Lisa deLarios performs at The Velveeta Room this April.
Picture of Lisa and mannequin courtesy of Lisa's MySpace page.
