Better Than Coffee: Reggie Watts


photo by Daniel Boud

“Reggie Watts is a most unusual talent: a huge vocal range, a natural musicality, and a sidesplitting wit. Is he a comedian? A singer? A performance artist? I’ve seen him a few times since then and I still can’t decide. Whatever, he ain’t like nobody else.” – Brian Eno

“There’s no one out there like Reggie Watts. Reggie covers everything from ancient history and racism to pop-culture, in a heady mix of improvised music, comedy and social insight. This guy has to be seen to be believed.” –Time Out London

“Sharp, wry and elusive … Reggie moves seamlessly from skits to songs to off-kilter stand-up, while talking in a subway train full of accents.” – New York Times


NSFW

NYC, East Village, 2004: a sharp-tongued, bright-eyed comedic musical improv Situationist ninja named Reggie Watts began performing at Eugene Mirman‘s standup night at club Rififi. Beyond the close knit downtown outre NYC standup scene, or the Seattle music scene (where Watts lived in the 90s, performing in all manner of bands), few seemed to know too much about Watts at the time. Thank FUCK that’s changed. These days, the beatboxing Line 6 DL4 wizard is going viral online, opening for Coco, turning up on late night talk shows, winning awards, arranging avant-garde museum gigs, and touring his thoughtful, practiced, fully-actualized, genre-obliterating oddness all over the world. His latest album, Why Shit So Crazy?! drops on May 18th. Many more clips after the jump. Also see:

9 Responses to “Better Than Coffee: Reggie Watts”

  1. John C. Worsley Says:

    Where my Gerunds at!

    As much as I adore the Concept of a Woman, I love Reggie Watts more.

    He visited Portland a few years back and renamed it, though we’re still waiting on hearing back on said new name…

  2. Charlotte Says:

    He’s toured or worked with The Dresden Dolls or Amanda Palmer, I think. I seem to remember him on one of their concert DVD’s.

  3. Mer Says:

    Charlotte: I know he’s done some spiegeltent tours with Amanda (and Vermillion Lies to boot, I think). He’s also worked with Regina Spektor and violist Eyvand Kang, and the aforementioned Brian Eno.

    John– “the “where my gerunds at” line kills me every time. :)

  4. Ana Says:

    Thanks for featuring Reggie!
    I’ve seen him twice and it is an indescribable experience. The sort of thing where the people who ‘get it’ are rolling in the aisles while the rest look on in disbelief.
    Also, after an interview, he gave my friends all the wine that was in his rider @ a comedy festival.Awesome.

  5. Brendan Says:

    Yes! I saw that Good News Week episode and never caught his name. Was totally blown away and always wondered who he was. What an amazing dude. Thanks for blogging about him :)

  6. Vivacious_G Says:

    That’s some good shit.

  7. Jason Glickman Says:

    Thanks for this. Reggie is so great, he is going to be a phenomenon in the very not too distant future. Listen to his stuff, get his album, be merry!

  8. Bret Bernhoft Says:

    You all at CoilHouse introduced me to Reggie Watts which led me to discover a number of amazing artists and for that I say thank you.

  9. Mer Says:

    Hooray, Bret! Glad to hear that.