Caitlin Cook on her bathroom-graffiti musical

Have you ever taken a sharpie into a toilet cubicle with you and written something obviously hilariously funny on the wall? If you have, you may find yourself the subject of one of Caitlin Cook's songs.

Caitlin wears many hats - she's a comedian, musician, writer, director, producer and bathroom-graffiti-obsessive. She's sold out shows Off-Broadway and her music currently boasts over 250 million streams. This August, she's taking live show The Writing on the Stall to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival so we caught up with her to talk post-show DMs, her love of art in all its forms and inspiring her audiences.

First things first, toilet paper - under or over?

Over. Always over. That way, you can always see where to peel off the top layer of toilet paper without reaching your hand underneath the roll to grasp blindly for an edge in a futile attempt to achieve some sort of control over your life as you fail to literally get your shit together. Get your shit together. Over, not under.

What's the most surprising, or memorable DM you've had post-show from an audience member?

The most frequent responses I receive from audience members (other than DMs of photos of bathroom graffiti, which I always enjoy and very much appreciate), is this: "I'll never go to the bathroom the same way again!" It never fails to make me laugh and is also something I hope audiences walk away with - an appreciation for finding art in the most unexpected places, even on the walls of a bathroom.

I've also received many post-show dick pics. Luckily, they were (mostly) illustrated dick pics from bathroom walls.

But probably the most surprising and memorable DMs I've received from audience members have been about how my show and my songs have inspired them to tell their own stories, conquer their fears, and live their lives more authentically. In some instances, audience members have told me that The Writing on the Stall has saved them during some seriously dark moments in their lives.

I am always so grateful to receive these responses. It is truly so rewarding to learn that my little show about bathroom graffiti can make people feel more connected to themselves and to each other.

What did you want to be when you were a kid, and how close is that to what you do now?

When I was 2 or 3, I said I wanted to be an artist. And in so many ways, I am exactly that: I am a photographer (and occasional creator) of bathroom graffiti, a musical artist and songwriter, a comedian and performer, a writer and a storyteller.

And aside from that, I consider myself very lucky that my "day job" for many years has also been as an artist: I've illustrated album covers and event posters and merch, I've designed websites and logos and style guides, I've animated social media posts and infographics and music videos.

I've always wanted to live a life surrounded by art, whether it's something I'm creating myself or bringing into my life or noticing in the outside world. I suppose that's why I began to pay attention to bathroom graffiti in the first place: because even in a shitty dive bar bathroom, I can be surrounded by art.

Aside from scouring public toilets, what's your favourite thing to do on a day off?

Sleep until 11, make a pot of tea (guayusa with almond milk and manuka honey, if you please), and enjoy it out in the backyard with my fiancé and two cats. Ideally, we bring out a couple of instruments too (a guitar and maybe a handpan or shruti box) and write a new song. Then, we'll take a bike ride around Prospect Park, grab brunch on the way home (maybe a corned beef hash or hearty scramble), and perhaps another plant or two for the garden. On the way home, we'll invite some friends over. The rest of the day will either be spent doing mushrooms and making music or doing acid and going to see some live music. Either way, there's going to be psychedelics or music involved.

Or just have mind blowing sex all day. That sounds good too.

Describe The Writing on the Stall using only emojis...

🚽🎨🎶