Meet a SICC28 Semi-Finalist: KYLE HARBERT

While we're deep in the middle of Preliminary Week Two, let's take just a moment to get to know one of this year's Seattle International Comedy Competition Semi-Finalists.

Let's start with the man who took first place in three straight nights of Preliminary Week One and ended the week in the top position. Let's start with KYLE HARBERT.

SeattleComedy.net's "Interview by E-Mail"
w/Kyle Harbert

--background--
How old are you?
26

What is your hometown?

Myrtle Point, Oregon

Did you start doing comedy there?

Nope. I started doing comedy in Corvallis, Oregon during college.

Where are you living now?

Portland, Oregon

How long have you been doing comedy?

Steadily for 3 years.

Are you a full time comic?

No.

Then, what DO you do?

I’m an Electrical Engineer. I test motherboards.

What was your first comedy performance?

The Library Lounge (a bar) in Corvallis Oregon…that has since been demolished. The adjoining Jason Inn where Donna Richards put the comics up was on the short for the shittiest place comics stayed for a gig.

--inspirations--
What are your first memories of stand-up comedy?

My dad’s Bill Cosby records.

What made you decide to try it yourself?

Hah! The first comedy show I ever saw live…which incidentally was none other than James Inman. “What!? You can talk shit about the government and go crazy? I’m in!”

Who inspired you to become the kind of comedian you are?

Nobody really. I’m a dickhead naturally.

Are there current performers who excite and/or inspire you...and who are they?

I don’t watch TV so all the comedy I see is live or downloaded. Stanhope’s always a fave. I saw a guy named Dean Evans a while back who is totally unknown but fucking awesome. I think if I made a living as a comedian I’d end up sounding a lot like Dean.

Do you have other major interests?

I read a lot of news. I’ve been paying very close attention to international finance lately.

Do those interests inform your comedy?

Not really. Its all to complicated to talk about.

Is stand-up comedy your ultimate career goal?

My comedy pisses people off, so its going to a hard road making a living at it…especially since you won’t be able to buy gas (at any price) soon. I’d like to retire to it.

At the peak of your career, you'll be...?

Drunk and mouthing off on stage somewhere.

--this competition--
Overall, what did you think about your experience in your preliminary week?

As the ‘red shirt freshman’ of the bunch I’m pretty stoked to be in the semi’s. I was a total unknown to Ron Reid and Jon Fox, and got into the contest by auditioning for Ron at the Underground open mic the weekend of Bumbershoot.

I was also an unknown to most of the Seattle community before my friend Richard Bain scored me spot with the Laff Hole gang in October. Going into the competition, my goal was just to make it to the semi’s…I figured the finals was really unlikely. Now that I’ve done so well it looks like I may be able to make the finals after all...nevertheless Peter, I'd still have your "flash in the pan" quips on hot-stand-by. :)

What do you know now that you didn't know before the competition started?

Antique collectors in Edmonds like politicized butt-fucking jokes a lot more than you might imagine.

Knowing what you know now, would you still have entered the competition?

Fuck yeah, it’s been awesome.

What do you think will be the key to your moving on to the finals?

Beating 5 of the competitors. Looking at the week 2 people it will be really tough. Wally talked up Tony a lot, Andy Peters is my pick to win and judging by his MySpace, Marcus is damn good at voices. I'm looking forward to some insane theater shows.

How might having participated in this competition impact your comedy and/or your comedy career?

If I'm lucky I might get to skip the Tribble-run rung on the comedy ladder. Country folk don’t dig me so much…I’d like to work in the city.

What other competitors impressed you with their efforts in the competition?

Geoff Lott and Rodger Lizaola. I’m pissed Rodger didn’t make the semi’s. I wanted to hear more of his stuff.

Best memory of this year's competition so far?

Getting the first #1 place at Gordons on the Green. After that I knew I could hack it.

And the worst moment?

Being sick the whole fucking time... Oh, and bombing in front of Fox at the last prelim show at the Underground. I guess “industry night” meant “we only laugh at people we know” night. I always love doing Underground, but getting such a poor response was down right weird. By the way Peter, you should add to your blog that my set was so shitty that shutting down the noisy people on left was THE funniest part of it.

--the final question--
Why should someone come see you perform your comedy in the semi-finals of this competition?

I’m going to rip on as much stuff as I can in 10 minutes.