ARTISTS
JOHN KEARNS
"I don’t own any vinyl so for the first record to be my own makes me feel absolutely fantastic. I’ve got plenty of digital downloads so that’ll just go on the heap but imagine if you could only own anything by making one yourself? Hello? Anyway, it’s a bloody good show that I’m chuffed was recorded at the superlative Monkey Barrel Comedy in the final throes of the Edinburgh Fringe and thankfully not in Corby, Wolverhampton or Darlington and Norwich. May it gather dust in your (500 to break even) collections and be played for my weeping Great-Great-Great Grandchildren on an episode of Repair Shop in 2110.”
OLGA KOCH
"There is something about going through Monkey Barrel's thick velvet curtain and performing in front of its classic brick wall that makes you feel like a real stand-up comic. In the years past, I saw some of my favourite Edinburgh Fringe shows at Monkey Barrel, so when I was lucky enough to join their ranks in the summer of 2019, it was truly a dream come true. I am extremely proud of this show, a show that would not have been possible without my wonderful director Charlie Dinkin, the incredibly supportive Berk's Nest, and of course, Monkey Barrel. Selfishly, I am so excited to have my show performed at my favourite venue immortalised in my favourite medium (the sound is just warmer on vinyl, man). However, I sincerely hope you take a chance on it (or choose the safer and more capable hands of John Kearns or Ari Eldjárn!) whether to hear my jokes or simply the electric atmosphere of the best comedy club in the world."
ARI ELDJÁRN
"In 2017 I walked into Monkey Barrel for the first time, to do my first English show in Edinburgh. Just before stepping on stage I asked a member of the staff numerous questions about the venue and whether some of my references would be understood. He replied with a thick Scottish accent: "Ah, you'll be fine” and pushed me on stage. This pretty much sums up the can-do attitude of everyone involved in the club during the hectic period that is the Fringe. This show was my second outing at the Fringe and at Monkey Barrel, and was the fruit of a month-long labour where everyone pitched in in some way, be it audience members or tech personnel. I am extremely glad to be part of this venture into the land of vinyl."
JOHN-LUKE ROBERTS
“I’ve wanted to make a comedy album for aaaaages, and finally a worldwide pandemic has given me the distraction free time to get it done. It Is Better has been conceived, written and recorded for the medium. I’ve tried to make a show to be listened to, maybe with a glass of whisky (or alternative) by a roaring fire while civilisation collapses outside the window. The show was recorded in the studio of the composer John Chambers, who has also written music specially for the piece (beautiful music, I should add). The front cover has a massive photograph taken by Natasha Pszenicki, who is my number one go to photographer for beautiful yet daft things.”
VITTORIO ANGELONE
Translations follows Irish-Italian comedian Vittorio Angelone, who went to see a play at the National Theatre in London. He loved the play, still does, but was deeply disturbed (read: pissed off) by the reaction of the English audience. Join him as he tackles being Irish in England, identity, and the sad comedy shows that seem to win awards.
AMY MATTHEWS
"It is an aural grand tour across land and time, where my voice guides the listener through the perils and joys of distraction.
The soundscape immerses the listener in vintage shops, medieval taverns, Antiguan beaches and 1920s bohemian households.
The show explores the importance of context in an increasingly contextless digital landscape. It examines the seduction and danger of nostalgia and reviews the oversimplification of social class in the UK, as well as how we all fantasise about living in a different time without considering the reality of what that would really look like.
It tackles big questions around mortality and smaller questions like, why do we put gargoyles on buildings…?"
