If there is one standup comic who resonates with the hipster mentality of today's college generation, it is undoubtedly Demetri Martin. The comedian, actor and "Daily Show" correspondent brings his signature deadpan style to the Barrymore Theatre Friday night with his "Telling Jokes in Cold Places" tour.
In an interview, Martin shed some light on his own college years while he mused about his less-comedic days at Yale.
"I had a good time in college," he said. "We lived in suites... It was really social. In my college I had a lot of friends...I didn't do any comedy or improv or acting. I participated in student government and hung out with my friends."
Following his tenure as a Yalie, Martin continued his education at NYU Law-only to drop out and become a standup comedian. His rationale offers a disclaimer for all those at UW-Madison entertaining the idea of going to law school.
"[Dropping out] happened during my second year of law school," he explained. "I was in New York because my law school was right by a couple different comedy clubs. Walking by those comedy clubs all the time [was what inspired me]."
Looking back even further into his past, Martin related what he felt was one of the most embarrassing stories of his life.
"When I was a kid, my family dressed up as [the characters from] ‘The Wizard of Oz' one year for Halloween," he reminisced. "I was the Tin Man and couldn't go to the bathroom with my costume on...yeah, that really sucked
Examining his artistic influences, it is easy to see where Martin got his wry sense of humor: Gary Larson (creator of The Far Side comic strip), Bill Cosby and Stephen Wright rank high among his comedic inspirations.
One of Martin's most definitive attributes as a comedian is how he incorporates a slew of live musical instruments such as harmonicas, guitars and pianos into his act. Though, despite his current musicality, he wasn't some sort of child protegé.
"I taught myself [how to play instruments],"he said. "It was really cool to learn how to do that."
As for Martin's taste in music, his top bands are far more Baby Boomer than Generation X.
"The Beatles are really great," Martin remarked, "and also The Stones."
For the most part, Martin's favorite personalities in film and TV are also retro. A big fan of "Cheers," he is also all about "Peter Sellers, Woody Allen, and (film directors) Alexander Payne and Wes Anderson."
Martin himself has had a fair amount of exposure in the movie world, having been featured in Ang Lee's "Taking Woodstock" ("there were so many extras on that set") and Stephen Soderbergh's "Contagion." He feels that his experiences in front of the camera have "all been very educational."
He provided some fascinating insight as to the reason why he is so successful today on the national comedy circuit.
"I try to write jokes about things that are pretty simple," Martin said. "Hopefully the stuff I'm talking about is basic and universal enough for an 11 year old to understand...but a 60 year old can also enjoy it."
If you consider yourself a fan of Demetri Martin's work, then be sure to catch him "Telling Jokes in Cold Places" Friday at the Barrymore. The 38-year-old showman has high hopes for his fan base here in the Dairy State.
