1. Itās inspired by being a teenager, and the Strokesā debut albumā¦
Ian McCarthy took a lot of inspiration from the way he idolised rockstars as a teenager, particularly through the way he worshiped the Strokesā debut album, āIs This It?ā Ian reflects on that reverence we all had for artists as young people throughout the show.
āAll of the changes that Iāve gone through as a person, since I first became obsessed with that album, and looking back on it now, it means different things to me now than it did then, but I still love it the same amount.ā
2. …But, you donāt have to be a Strokes fan to enjoy or get the show!
Ian wants to stress that this show will not be exclusive to try-hard fans of the band or the album, granted though, he does make a reference to the Strokes in the following quote. The show will honestly be relatable to anyone who was a celebrity-idol-praising teenager, which is all of you, I
can bet.
āIf people donāt know the album, thatās fine,ā says Ian. āItās about me, through the album as a device. Thereās not going to be any super niche Strokes jokes. Thereās not gonna be like; āAlbert Hammond Junior!? I hardly know her!ā But give it a listen for sure!ā
3. You can learn how to kill your problematic idols, like Ian already has.
In the current state of celebrities getting their just desserts for the heinous and problematic things they have committed in the past, you should separate yourselves from the people you once idolised, and Ian has some advice for doing that. Even on a basic level, you shouldnāt really want to obtain their incredibly fraught lifestyles anyway, according to Ian. Having once
idolised comedy icons Louis C.K. and Woody Allen, along with many problematic singers in the past, Ian says to just accept the fact they are human and ditch āem.
āYou forget that they are just normal people. They are not necessarily these perfect, geniuses that you build them up to be. You donāt want your life to reflect theirs either. A lot of artists have messed up lives. Like, I love Lou Reed but Iām not going to go out and do heroin any time soon.ā
4. This isnāt Ianās first rodeo, despite being his debut solo comedy show.
Ian has already had plenty of experience on the stand-up stage throughout the past couple of years. Debuting at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2019 with two other friends in ā2 Matts and a Ratā (Ian was the rat) gave him plenty of opportunities to stretch his funny muscles. And, making it to the Victorian State Finals in RAW Comedy 2019 too means Ian has taken a proper comedic crack across multiple stages. Ian is particularly grateful for the two opportunities to finally spread his wings in the comedy scene.
āWe got all we wanted out of it. I felt like I came out of it better as a comedian. Thatās all you can really ask for.ā
5. Itās hosted at Crowded in the Vaults, a particular favourite of Ianās.
Finding a suitable venue for your debut solo show is paramount for ensuring the comedian and the audience are satisfied throughout the night and Ian thinks heās found the perfect place to host his comedy premiere. Accessible from the city by tram, Crowded in the Vaults is already making Ian feel at home.
āThe room that Iām doing my show is just really cozy. Itās a small intimate space, which for me personally is the best place to perform. You can talk to people and be a bit looser in that space.I can reach out and touch the front row…not that Iām planning on doing that but I could if I wanted to.”
Ian McCarthy performs Is This It? at Crowded in the Vaults – Vault 11, Sept 17 – 22
https://melbournefringe.com.au/event/is-this-it/