Nick Cody interview

Written by: Si Hawkins
Published: Friday 25th November 2016

Australian comedians often feel the need to move abroad to further their careers, usually to the UK or US. But there are definite benefits to sticking it out back home. Why follow the comedy superstars when they'll come to you?

Nick Cody, from Melbourne, has supported some of international comedy's biggest names during their tours of his homeland, from the huge US stars Bill Burr and Anthony Jeselnik to his prodigal-son countryman Jim Jefferies. It's been quite an education for the lusciously bearded but still youthful comic, but the most useful lesson was pretty simple: keep improving and "set my sights on big things," he says.

"Not one big name comic started out huge. It's all work and sacrifice. I've spent nine months away from home this year, nine last year and seven the year before. I'm trying to build something massive. I want to be one of the biggest names Australia has ever produced."

He's well on the way, and as the interview below reveals, he's taking a particularly bold step next year. So much so that you'd be well advised to catch the upcoming Soho Theatre run of his latest show, Come Get Some, before the forward-thinking comic is playing venues so big that you can't see him with the human eye.

He's already performed at Montreal's prestigious Just For Laughs festival, and on Conan O'Brien's famous talk show, which is good going - but then those nine months away from home also included much less glamorous gigs, such as performing for troops in some harrowing bits of the Middle East.

He gets around. So how would Cody describe his style? "A mix of storytelling and poorly thought-out opinions on groups I don't like: TripAdvisor reviewers, people who have soft food allergies," he says. Any beard gags? "I don't have any beard material. A beard doesn't need to be spoken about. A kickass beard speaks for itself."

Quite right too.

How did you get started on stage?

My first gig was the Melbourne Comedy Festival RAW Comedy Competition around 10 or so years ago.

Actually, the first time I tried to tell jokes on stage was a talent contest at high school (a silly thing on a dare, so I don't call it a gig). I was up against a breakdancing crew and something else equally ridiculous. I won. Not because of my jokes, because I was up against a breakdancing crew.

I wasn't so lucky with the RAW comedy comp, I went ok. Didn't make it through. Didn't make it through the first round three years in a row. I remembered that the day I did Conan.

So what initially got you into comedy, before that?

As a kid my parents would let me listen to comedy albums. Everything from Billy Connolly to Andrew Dice Clay. My parents are legends for that. Every year for my birthday as a teen, they would give me money to go and see some shows at the Melbourne Comedy Festival. I'd always watch stand-up on TV as a kid and really loved the shows Seinfeld and The Simpsons.

What sort of stuff can we expect from your Soho Theatre show?

Being at a hilarious funeral, surviving a car bomb in Kabul, going on my first ever booze tour and my fiancé's super power. Just to name a few. There is a lot more that I cover. Just turn it, it's hilarious.

You've done a good few gigs for the troops - was your first one nervy?

Nervy, in the sense that I didn't want to do a bad job. Those guys and girls get one show every six or so months. You don't want to mess it up for them. The gigs themselves were a lot of fun.

What sort of stuff tends to go down well with them?

Hanging shit on the Taliban went down a treat, not surprisingly. Generally, they wanted to hear stories from back home. The troops are gone from home for such large chunks at a time that a reminder can be nice.

Are you happy in Australia, or have you thought about moving elsewhere?

I love Australia. Melbourne is home. My friends and family are there. However, I travel all the time and I don't have kids yet. My fiancé and I are looking to move to NYC next year though. You can do more spots there than anywhere else and with comics like Jefferies, Burr, Louis CK, Silverman and so many more. I love stand-up more than anything which is why I'm picking NY over LA. I can't really act and I hate meetings. That's all that happens there.

The plan is: Kick ass, put out some world-class comedy specials, make a shitload of cash, hang out with my friends and family.

Nick Cody's show Come Get Some is at the Soho Theatre from Mon 5th - Sat 10th December. For tickets, visit sohotheatre.com