Gavin Matts Hopes This Helps

This week, we’re highlighting 24 talented writers and performers for Vulture’s annual list “The Comedians You Should and Will Know.” Our goal is to introduce a wider audience to the talent that has the comedy community and industry buzzing. (You can read more about our methodology at the link above.) We asked the comedians on the list to answer a series of questions about their work, performing, goals for the future, and more. Next up is Gavin Matts.

Tell us a story from your childhood that you think might explain why you ended up becoming a comedian. 
I’m trying to be more earnest with questions like this, but I’m writing this response on my own, and I can’t bring myself to type out a story. I’ve always felt very lonely — hope that helps.

If you were immortalized as a cartoon character, what would your outfit be?  
I would probably be drawn with a similar style to what I wear now.

What’s your proudest moment/achievement of your comedy career so far?  
My hour special Progression. It’s on All Things Comedy’s YouTube channel. It didn’t pop the way I thought it would. But the way it all came together — lining up ATC to produce, getting Marcus Russell Price to direct, and really working myself hard to create a full 60 minutes that flowed into one piece of work? I’m very proud of that.

I am proud of lots of small things too, even just walking out of my apartment every night to work at comedy clubs in New York. A total dream. See? I can be earnest.

Which comedian’s career trajectory would you most like to follow?
Sinbad. Chelsea Peretti. Norm Macdonald.

Tell us everything about your worst show ever. (This can involve venue, audience, other acts on the lineup, anything!)
I have been doing stand-up for 11 years, so I have a lot of “worst show” stories. And I love that; I love a bad show and a bomb. What a funny memory imprint to leave on random people who just wanted to have a good time.

Three years ago, I headlined a show in D.C. I was forced to deal with a group of drunk hecklers for 30 minutes until they were finally kicked out. As they were being kicked out, a lady from their group sneak-attacked me onstage, ripped the mic cord, and chucked the mic across the room. Then another person from their group ended up with the mic and started to explain their case to the crowd. It was chaos. After it settled, they still made me go back onstage and finish my set. I really don’t know why I had to go back onstage.

What have you learned about your own joke-writing process that you didn’t know when you started?  
The best things come to me when I’m talking about what I care about with my friends.

What’s the biggest financial hurdle you’ve encountered since becoming a comedian?  
I would say the need to have money to keep pursuing a “dream” is a pretty tough financial hurdle. In stand-up, you’re constantly going out of pocket. Comedy clubs will pay for your travel, but only at the end of your weekend, so you’re out $600 like two months in advance. Paying for travel upfront really lessens the incentive for me to want to go to Phoenix.

At the end of the movie 8 Mile, Eminem’s character, B-Rabbit, starts his final battle rap by dissing himself so the person he’s battling has nothing left to attack. How would you roast yourself so the other person would have nothing to say?  
I would prefer to hear everything they had to say about me.

When it comes to your comedy opinions — about material, performing, audience, trends you want to kill/revive, the industry, etc. — what hill will you die on? 
In a random interview I did in 2021, I said that stand-up comedians should be forced to retire at 40. I take that back. Longevity in comedy is a miracle, and I look up to anyone who has made a career out of it. Though I do believe you should cap out at four comedy specials.

What is the best comedy advice, and then the worst comedy advice, you’ve ever received?  
“Do not hold the mic in front of your mouth.” Good advice. This saved me at least two years of talking straight into the microphone.

“Don’t wear those pants onstage.” Bad advice. Wear whatever you want. Except a bomber jacket and an “elevated” sneaker.