Erik Escobar is quickly becoming a standout in the comedy world, and Que Chiste Comedy is proud to showcase his talent at the upcoming festival. As a rising Latino comedian and creative force, Erik has captivated audiences with his unique blend of humor and storytelling. In this exclusive interview, Erik shares insights into his journey as a comedian, how his Latino heritage influences his comedy, and what fans can expect from his performance at the Que Chiste Comedy Festival in Seattle. Whether you’re a fan of stand-up or interested in the rising stars of the comedy scene, Erik's story is one you won’t want to miss.
Erik, we'd love to know about your journey with comedy. What inspired you to start your career in comedy, and how has your journey been so far?
When I was younger, I played in bands, was in theatre, did a lot of improv and chased after everything and anything with that sweet, tangible, beautiful, honest, and intense validation from an audience. When I started doing stand up, the feeling was reminiscent to when you work at your job and your boss goes out of their way to commend your work or tell you you did a good job on a project. It was that sincere expression of whatever goal I was tasked to do was done well and done wonderfully. Stand up is that feeling multiplied by a million, dare I say, a bajillion. When you’re up there with hundreds of people (or sometimes just like 3 people and a cool bartender) giving that visceral, uncontrollable response of joy and acceptance and love, OOF. What a thrill. Once I got on that road, I never looked back.
My journey has been filled with high highs, low lows, and a lot of complimentary chicken tenders and well drinks. Comedy is one of the best and sometimes annoying jobs in the whole world, but nothing compares to it. Maybe like professional wrestling, but if a wrestler has a bad set you can like break your legs off, when I have a bad set, I just cry a lot.
In what ways does your Latin heritage shape your comedy style and the themes you tackle in your performances?
One of my favorite aspects of being on the road is going to areas where there may be very few Latinos or even just like one Latino dude, doing my material about our culture, traditions, family and seeing that one Latino guy or couple or group light up in crowd. Comedy is all about community and connection and bringing a feeling of familiarity or home to someone who may be in a place where there’s not many of us is really cool. Them getting a chance to feel that connection is a really, really great feeling. Sometimes just hearing some jokes about my local Tamale guy or my cousin’s wild quincinera can provide a wave of nostalgia and feels that you may connect to in someone’s life that is a super fun gift to give.
I speak a lot about my family and all the experiences that come along with being half Latino American and half Asian American and the differences, similarities, and wild adventures when those two cultures come together. I like to explore of how those two sides in addition to how all of us are more connected than we are different people or groups.
What can audiences look forward to from your upcoming performance with Que Chiste in Seattle?
One out of the million, nope- bajillion, things I love about my culture is our passion. Seattle’s great. It’s my second favorite city in the whole world and sometimes you get these charming, delightful crowds that love to chuckle and smile and nod and its lovely AF, but with Que Chiste throwing these epic, amazing, stacked shows, we ain’t gonna see any gentle giggles or an under the breath chortle. It’s going to be a party. Big laughs, applause breaks, a thrilling energy that is a rush to experience and can be found right here with Que Chiste in Seattle.
What are some of your favorite things to do in Seattle or the Pacific Northwest when you're not on stage?
I LOVE THE PNW!! I get a tattoo every state I perform in and am proud to announce the Pacific Northwest boasts more ink on my body because my oh my do I love it up there. Shout out to Jason over at True Love Tattoo for doing the Fremont Troll on my calf a few years back.
I love theme parks and immersive experiences and always try to get in a ride on Wings over Washington, head down to Enchanted Forrest, or hit up MoPop or as I still refer to it in my heart, EMP. I ended up doing grad school in Port Townsend and try to catch the ferry every other trip to relive them college memories. If I miss the ferry, too bad, a two hour drive up and around is extra time I could spend riding Wings over Washington again.
Home is Southern California, but in all sincerity if there is one other place I would want to live, it's up there. Y’all are great vibes, great people, great food and one of the only places I will disregard my IBS’ needs in order to have some Ivar’s clam chowder, a Seattle dog with extra cream cheese, and a round of corndogs from the Unicorn. Whether it’s bar hopping in Cap Hill or taking a walk around Green Lake with my Chocolati Mocha, Seattle is never lacking in a great time. Also shout out to Chocolati for the best hot chocolate and truffles I’ve ever eaten in my life. Everything up there is so great.
There’s so much in the Seattle area I love to do, but there is one thing I can never pass up one a trip. Pre-pandemic you used to be able to catch me every night after every show at a perfect eatery known as Beth’s. I don’t think they’re 24 hours anymore, but if there’s a favorite item on the list I never pass up when I’m in town, it doing a show, wrapping it up super late, heading on over to Beth’s Cafe and going to town on some Amish Bread and a 12 egg omelet with all you can eat potatoes.
Ugh, I just realized Que Chiste’s Amazing Seattle shows will probably result in a 10 pound weight gain. V worth it. More potatoes please.
How is the Pacific Northwest comedy scene evolving, and what sets it apart from other regions you've performed in?
Coming from my home scene of LA, we have a massive amount of comics and rooms, but it’s more or less one big area. Other than maybe some spots in the east coast, the PNW scene is incredible in terms of its talent and it’s variety of places to do and experience different comedy scenes. There’s scenes and communities all over including but not limited to Seattle, Tacoma, Everrett, Bend, Medford, Salem, the Tri Cities, Spokane Olympia, Portland, Renton, I even did a gig at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla a couple months ago and was like holy cow! Even the prisons up here have great comedy! The comics up here are so solid and are doing amazing work in establishing new rooms, opportunities, and even incredible clubs. Seattle is the second place I did comedy on the road like 15 years ago and the friends, colleagues, comics, and amazing people up there have made it into a place I’m always happy to return to and find myself feeling a little less complete when I have to leave.
Can you share a memorable experience from one of your performances, especially one that resonated with a Latin audience?
For 20 minutes, a gentleman in the audience thought I was his cousin and kept vocalizing it throughout my set. I was not his cousin. We were both Latin though. I think.
What advice would you give to aspiring comedians, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds?
Treat everyone with respect and kindness. You’re going to run into everyone again and I always felt it was a better move to smile and nod in every future interaction rather than burn a bridge with someone who you very likely might have to work a weekend with and share a comedy condo with in the middle of nowhere. I also always try to work smarter, not harder. Going to a dozen open mics a week to hone your craft is definitely hard work, but if you aren’t working new material or trying to book shows or producing your own work, it can feel like your wheels are spinning with no movement even if there is a ton of grind and hustle and time invested. Try to find what is special and unique about your act and critically find ways to monetize it, sometimes we think it might be one thing and it ends up being another. There’s no one right path to success, so keep those hearts and minds open to all the opportunities that may arise!
How do you incorporate current events and social issues into your comedy, especially those affecting the Latin community?
I tend to not lean into current events and social issues in my comedy more so than maybe others. With current events, I’ve ended up writing these topical jokes and bits I fall in love with and then get so broken hearted when they fall flat a week after the big cover story has fizzled out. I always keep in the back of my mind how evergreen a bit might be when I’m writing. I love when comics have great commentary and jokes regarding the social and political climates, but it can be a different vibe than the act I typically prefer to do. I tend to love silliness and goofiness and try to get that audience to forget about all problems in the world for 90 min through fart sounds and awkward faces. Every comic has got a unique, fun take through their art and mine is filled with a lot of poop jokes.
What is your perspective on the increasing diversity in the comedy industry, and how do you contribute to this growth?
I feel like the pre-social media path to success was getting that big development deal, landing some late night sets or a sitcom, and playing the game of getting everyone in the country to fall in love with you. Now, it’s wildly the opposite and I find it fascinating! It’s no longer “how can I get everyone to like my comedy” it’s now “how can I find my specific audience that likes my comedy.” People are finding comics now that are deeply connected or distinctive to their specific palate of humor. Comics are able to market now to people who will love them instead of trying to get the whole nation to kind of like them. There used to be maybe one or two Latino comedians at one point that if you were lucky you could maybe see on cable. Now there are comics with specials and content celebrating their beautifully unique backgrounds sharing perspectives from their cultures in Mexico, El Salvador, Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, and beyond. During the pandemic, I got to do zoom and online shows in South America, Central America, Canada, Europe and it was a wild feeling to share our love of stand up and comedy with other comics who are international and sharing their takes and perspectives easily with the world, where before all we might have had access to just watch a handful of comedians from the USA.
What future projects or collaborations can your fans look forward to, particularly in the Pacific Northwest or within Latin communities?
My biggest and best collaboration just happened. It was with my partner, she has our awesome baby in her belly, and he’s due in November! I’m honored that my last big tour for a while before this incredible lil guy is in our life is with Que Chiste in the Pacific Northwest. It's a great way to go out with these amazing shows before a little break while I figure out how to be the best dad I can be.
I do have some super fun projects on the books to be released this year that I can’t speak to much on, but join the fun with a follow over on my instagram at @ErikEscobar where I can keep you up to date on all the places you can see me on your TV’s, iPhones, and eventually back on the road to comedy with y’all! Until then you can catch me on a ton of fun online stuffs out there including my special: Mexipino Noir, my TEDx Talk on how to live a more fullfilling life through humor, and some fun episodes of Gordon Ramsey’s Idiot Sandwich, Fuse TV’s Fresh Faces of Comedy, BuzzFeed, and randomly all over Game Show Network. I’m also proud member of the sketch team No MSG Added and a company member of Improv City in the lovely Orange County area of Southern California!
Comentários