MICF interview with Gavin Sempel

Image courtesy of Gavin Sempel 

A self confessed ‘bogan’ from Western Sydney now studying Law.  let’s hear about Gavin’s choice to make a show about Centerlink…

The Australia Times (TAT): When did you first start doing stand-up?

Gavin Sempel (GS): I first started stand-up by doing the school of hard knock knocks comedy course which I actually won free admission to. And then at the end of the course we did a graduation performance.

TAT: Where was it and how did it go?

GS: It was held at the Limerick Arms in St Kilda. For someone who only just started doing comedy, I was pretty happy with how it went. Got a decent amount of laughs and applause and was lucky enough to have Chris Franklin and Ben Horowitz as mentors.

TAT: Why do you like comedy?

GS: I’ve always been the class clown so just the thought and act of making people laugh is what I enjoy. I love comedy because it gives us a better way to look at things and everybody loves a good laugh

TAT: What’s an average day for you like, do you have a day job?

GS: I’m actually a full-time Law Student at Deakin University, which is nearly a standard for most comedians. But whenever I’m at uni I work at my local Hungry Jacks in Longwarry. So living the real dream.

TAT: How do you come up with your material?

GS: Most of my comedy I think of on the spot when I’m in public. Like I’ll see something very humorous and then I’ll try and turn it into material. The rest of my material is generally about me. So it’s pretty much just true stories about growing up or my family or self-depreciation for being underweight.

TAT: Who are your favourite comedians?

GS: My favourite comedians growing up and still to this day are Jimmy Carr stage and I idolised them as a teen. When it comes to local comedy my favourites are Luka Muller, Blake Everett, Zack Dyer and Nick Capper

TAT: How would you describe your style?

GS: As someone who looks like an innocent 12 year old, I try to avoid doing innocent comedy. My style has been labelled ‘twisted’ by a few. But I tend to try and go near the line with my comedy and I’m definitely not afraid to maybe step over it.

TAT: “Comedians are damaged people” Discuss

GS: Bit rough, I don’t really consider us to be damaged in any sense.

TAT: What’s been your favourite or most memorable moment on stage?

GS: It’s actually a tie between, my RAW heat this year which was after about 6 months of doing comedy and it went amazing and got an awesome amount of laughter. But then my other favourite was when I MC’d a comedy night back in my local town with comedians, Aaron Gocs and Evan Hocking. I’ve never received that much love and laughter from an audience before and everything worked well, took a few selfies and had people come up and congratulate me after the show. Felt like the real deal.

TAT: Do you like audience interaction?

GS: Of course, I feel that’s where you can just get more laughter. It helps with your set material and can also engage the audience more towards your jokes.

TAT: Do you feel like it’s you on stage or a character?

GS: I’ve been told that since I started doing comedy my stage character has now become my normal character in the way I act and talk. Whenever I’m at work or home I’m always accidentally trying new material or making people laugh and its good fun.

TAT: Where do you perform normally?

GS: I generally perform anywhere in Melbourne and continue to try and convince others to let me do a spot at their venues. But I also do a lot of local shows back at home with gigs at clubs or the Laughing Vault in Warragul.

TAT: Let’s talk about the show, what’s it about? 

GS: My Show, “Still Waiting in Centrelink” is basically a show about growing up in western Sydney and growing up as a Bogan but then also jokes about being a student and false dreams etc.

TAT: Why should people come and see it?

GS: I feel they should come just to support the new and upcoming talent of the comedy scene.

TAT: What’s your favourite object?

GS: My body, in a non-dirty way. I think when people take a look at me on stage and then it can help picture the jokes and stories better and adds to the laughter.

 

You can see Gavin’s show…

When: 15th, 16th, 22nd and 23rd of April

Where: Station 59, 59 Church St, Richmond

Tickets: Free

Information: Venue is wheelchair accessible

Links: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/gavin-sempel-still-waiting-in-centrelink-tickets-32455597566?utm-medium=discovery&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&aff=escb&utm-source=cp&utm-term=listing