Alun Cochrane Interview

Alun Cochrane is heading off on a UK tour. We caught up with him to find out more...

Hi Alun. You spent August at the Edinburgh Fringe with your new show 'Jokes. Life. And Jokes About Life'. How did that go?

I think it went well, it sold pretty well and by the end of the festival I was really enjoying doing it, so I suppose it must have done.

I don't read my press till after the tour but I believe some of it was really nice.

Is it true you've managed to get more than one story about fruit-on-a-train into the show?

No. I did a story on Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow about a peach-on-a-train and in this new show I have a bit about a banana-on-the-tube. But it is barely a story really, more of an episode, a vignette, if you will. But funny. It has to be funny to me, or I drop it.

That's a good philosophy. You're shifting slightly from observational comedy to more gag-based routines - why's that?

I got heckled in December with 'tell us a joke' and thought it'd be fun to write a load of jokes. As it turns out it is actually either quite hard or quite boring. But then at least you have the jokes.

I love doing stand-up about life with jokes in it. I like being funny about how we or I exist, our thoughts and habits, moments on trains or in shops or whatever.

We think we're right in saying that was your 6th solo year in Edinburgh... does it get easier each year?

It was my 6th solo show in 7 years. Artistically it becomes more of a known amount of work to get something to the level I want it.

I find that it has become personally easier because I've developed coping strategies so I see what it is in context, avoiding the press and ignoring the industry bullshit, and trying to spend time with comics you really like instead of drunkenly hanging out with people you don't want to.

Sounds a good strategy! As you mention, you were on Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow last series... what was it like doing that gig?

I loved doing it. I am now in a position where I have a lot of stand-up that people haven't seen that I'd love them to see. It feels like being Elbow before the Mercury prize.

Did this mainstream TV exposure have any noticeable impact on the numbers and types of people coming to see you live?

I felt a bit more known after it went out than before, and I'm sure that fed in to some extra sales on my last tour. As for the 'types' of people - I don't know what that could mean? Did I attract more ABC1's? People who watch Saturday night TV? I honestly don't know - I just assume on tour that people have either seen me before or they've bought a ticket by mistake.

So you're taking the show on tour, jumping all around the country... is there anywhere you're particularly looking forward to visiting? And anywhere you're not so keen on playing?

I like the idea of jumping all around the country, but i'll actually be on trains or driving. I find any room where people are gathering to enjoy proper stand-up comedy by me being funny about life a genuine pleasure. That said, there are a few low-budget hotels I probably won't use again.

And is there anything you particularly miss whilst you're away?

No not really. I am aware I'm meant to say my wife or son, or a favourite chair. But no, not really.

Ha ha. Thanks for the honest answers Alun, and best of luck with the tour.

Alun Cochrane is currently touring his brand-new stand-up show 'Jokes. Life. And Jokes about Life.' For details see www.aluncochrane.com