In Conversation: Comedian David Andrew Brent

Christopher James O'Brien
Nov 19, 2015
7 min read

Introduction: Side-splitting comedian 'David Andrew Brent' has established himself as one of Canada's top comics with over 15 years industry experience.

Brent's entertainment career first took off as an early 'EDM' deejay spinning at nightclubs including the 'late' Guvernment Complex. As the years passed his performance confidence increased to where he would soon and since primarily focus on comedy.

Aberrant and absurd, Brent's graphic stand-up comedy is an absolute laugh riot. Having overcome performance anxiety through time, trial, and error he has now shared stages inclusive of veterans Andrea Martin, Angela Jeselnik, Brent Butt, Colin Mochrie, Jim Jefferies, Judah Friedlander, The Trailer Park Boys, and most recently performer David Greco (a.k.a Will Sasso).

Brent has since expanded his career to become a YouTube sensation, with his Arnold Schwarzenegger impersonation nearing 2 million views. The former Governor of California and infamous 'Terminator' actor Tweeted about trending video, calling it "fantastic."

1: You deejayed electronic music prior to performing stand-up comedy. What is/was your DJ name and favourite genre of choice?

David: "My DJ name is The Dirt Bike Kid. When I was younger, I was really passionate about BMX biking because it was the first hobby I pursued that wasn’t influenced by my peers. Some of the older bikers that I looked up to in the community gave me that nickname and it really meant a lot to me. I chose The Dirt Bike Kid as my DJ name because it made people laugh, got them to ask questions and it was based on something that I was really passionate about. Regarding my genre of choice, I played funky breaks (The Freestylers, A.Skillz, Krafty Kuts) and then transitioned to silly tracks like Good Vibrations by Marky Mark or I’d speed it up into drum & bass. I always valued making people laugh so my DJ sets featured added entertainment value. I was a battle DJ and I added scratching and tricks into the mix too."

2: Where/when was your most memorable DJ set and why?

David: "There are a lot of great events and memories to choose from but I really enjoyed playing Breakfest at the El Mocambo. Not only is it one of Toronto’s most historic venues, but I also got to play a closing set for the first time in my DJ career. Near the end of my performance, I dropped a drum & bass track that was big in the 90s called “Original Nuttah” by Shy FX. The entire place lit up and everyone was screaming with nostalgia. No one was expecting me to play that record but it created the vibe that every DJ searches for. I was so happy that everyone was dancing and having a good time and that was definitely the most memorable DJ moment for me."

3: How does it differ in strategy when deejaying in front of a large crowd of incoherent ravers compared to a theatre full of observant comic fans looking to laugh? Which is more fun and/or more difficult?

David: "No one would expect this, but it’s actually a similar strategy. I learned how to structure my comedy sets from what I learned in my DJ career. I begin with a strong opener and then take the audience on a journey (whether it’s through music or comedy). Then in the last few minutes of the performance I ramp up the energy and bring it all to a massive finish. Regardless of the type of audience they all want to see a performance. Whether you botch a mix or ruin a punch line the people in the crowd will still notice. Both art forms evoke emotions but comedy is definitely more of a challenge. It is difficult to anticipate how a comedy show will go because the audience is different every time and as a comedian you have to adapt to that. Whereas when I was deejaying, I found that clubbers were more easygoing and accepting because they had a greater sense of community. As long as people were dancing at a club event, everyone was having a good time."

4: Have you, or do you ever integrate electronic music into your comedy, or vice versa? If yes, how so?

David: "I’ll share a little secret with you. This is something that I’ve been working on for years. Right now I’m just trying to master the balance between music and comedy so it doesn’t come off as cheesy. I know that when I find the right mix it will actually blow the audience’s mind. Again, I can’t say too much because it’s still in the works but when the concept is ready it will be like nothing you’ve ever seen or heard before."

"In the past I’ve integrated the two on a smaller scale. There was one night at a club event when we were having technical difficulties and the turntables stopped working during one of my mixes. I improvised and started singing “If you’re happy and you know it,” while the problem was being solved. Everyone in the audience started singing along and they didn’t even realize that we were trying to fix a technical issue. I’ve also played a few joke songs to make people laugh and bring up the mood during my set."

5: Over the last 15 years you have established yourself as one of Canada's top comics. As a leader to those now interested in starting a career in comedy, what would you say to help motivate them overcome some of the same fears that you once had, perhaps performance anxiety?

David: "My greatest advice to those starting their comedy career is to stay motivated. If you love comedy, stick it out! There will always be ups and downs in life and sometimes it can throw you curveballs. It is important to remain grounded, not to give up and to stay on course."

"Another piece of advice is to be conscious of your physical wellbeing. I have anxiety so staying healthy and exercising has helped me deal with some of the stress of performing and touring. It is important to remember to eat well, sleep well and take care of yourself. If you keep your body and mind healthy, the rest will fall into place."

"My last piece of advice is to find a hobby that is creative and has little to do with the comedy world. My hobby was deejaying and then I moved on to building bikes and motorcycles. These pursuits helped me find balance and I think they are also good for the soul."

6: Just recently you performed a one-man comedy show called Ricky Gervais at the Just For Laughs festival in Toronto. How does it feel to showcase your talents to a home crowd of fans during such a large-scale comedy festival?

David: "I honestly love being able to make people laugh and pursue comedy at any level. Having the opportunity to be associated with a brand that is a household name and legendary in the entertainment world is amazing and humbling. It was an honour to perform my one-man show Ricky Gervais as part of JFL42."

7: Who is your favourite comedian and/or impressionist? Did they inspire you to pursue your career in comedy or if not, who did?

David: "My favourite comedian is DeAnne Smith! Her writing is amazing and her stage presence is massive. She performs with deadly precision. I’ve seen her achieve a level of comedic performance on a daily basis that most comedians strive to do in their careers. DeAnne has definitely inspired me to work harder and become a better writer."

"There was never really a specific comedian that inspired me to pursue stand-up, however there are a few that I admired growing up. Some of my favourites were Adam Sandler, Jim Carrey, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Tom Hanks, Jonathan Winters and Carol Burnett."

8: Brickworks Entertainment has been in operation since January of 2015. Along with co-founder Dan Rice, together you have curated 5 monthly shows, and a one-man comedy show (featuring yourself). Where do you see both Brickworks and yourself in the next five months, and perhaps the next five years?

David: "In the next five months we will be producing more premium headliner shows. If all of our efforts go according to plan, there should be two premium shows and four more monthly events at Comedy Bar by then. We want to create a staple where people know they can go to laugh and have a good time. We’re working on showing our audience that they can trust us to provide a quality entertainment experience and that we’re in it for the long haul!"

"Five years is tougher to estimate because I have a million ideas per day. You’ll have to check back in to see what we’re up to. I can say this, look forward to us continuing to give talented comedians a platform to make people laugh in Toronto. Right now, we’re working on one show at a time to make sure every event we produce is top-quality. We are also working on solidifying our foundation as a comedy production company in the city. We plan to continue to build upwards because it will only get bigger and better from here!"

9: Tell me about the next big event planned for either Brickworks Entertainment, or yourself as a professional comedian? When will this information become available to the public?

David: "Our next big event will be our show featuring headliner K Trevor Wilson and myself on December 12 at Comedy Bar. Check out our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/brickworksentertainment/ if you want to stay in the loop with what we have going on. But for now stay tuned for that show, it will be a hilarious night!"

Closing: Thank you for your time, David. Good luck with Brickworks Entertainment and have a great next show! I'll see you there...