Have you ever wanted to laugh while nerding out on a topic you have limited information on? Enter: LabX’s “Wrong Answers Only,” the comedy show hosted by Chris Duffy that entertains a deep-dive topic with one expert and three comedians.
“Wrong Answers Only” has hilariously introduced truths on topics like cybersecurity and bees. On June 17th, they will cover the fan-favorite topic of ICE CREAM. (I mean, who doesn’t love ice cream?) Chris will be joined in his ice cream, adventure by Expert Dr. Maya Warren and comedians Lily Du, Alyssa Limperis, and Aparna Nancherla at Dynasty Typewriter in Los Angeles on Tuesday, June 17th.
National Ice Cream Month kicks off in July, so it’s time to get your knowledge on. We got to ask Chris Duffy a few questions while he preps for a night of sweet, sweet comedy and entertainment.
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WRONG ANSWERS ONLY is a real treat for people like me who like to fully understand topics. Have you had a favorite deep-dive yet? What would be a future topic you’d want to talk to a scientist about?
Honestly, so much of the fun of doing a show where comedians interview scientists is that every topic ends up being surprising and hilarious. That being said, I think one of the most mind blowing topics was when we interviewed Dr. Moogega Cooper who works on making sure Earth’s spaceships don’t accidentally send out a bacteria or organism that could wreak havoc across the galaxy.
As for a dream topic, I always think scientists who study animals are fascinating and hilarious so I’d love to talk to a rat expert. I bet there’s a lot of comedy there. But actually, now that I’m thinking about it, I’d probably have to look at a lot of photos of rats, which is disgusting and terrifying. So let’s say a guinea pig expert instead. They’re like the friendly cousins of rats.
Where was the show topic of ice cream born from for this upcoming Dynasty Typewriter event?
The idea to do a comedy show about ice cream came from: 1) how good it is to eat ice cream 2) us hearing about a scientist who studies ice cream 3) me realizing this would mean I’d get to eat ice cream for work and 4) us realizing we could give the audience ice cream during the show and have them love us forever.
Can’t argue any of that! Dr. Maya Warren is going to be your guest for this ice cream deep dive. What qualifies her as an ice cream expert, and how did you get into contact?
Well, if you go to her website, it says in giant letters “Ice Cream Scientist™” so that’s definitely a clue that you might be dealing with an ice cream expert. But also, she’s got a PhD in Food Science and has traveled the world studying and creating new flavors of ice cream. One of the amazing parts of doing a comedy show for LabX (a program of the National Academy of Sciences) is that they just know people like this. They’re the only people I could ever meet in my life who would go “Oh, we actually met this ice cream scientist the other night, do you think that might be a fun topic for the show?” The answer, of course, was yes.
Is there anything in particular you are looking forward to bringing up with Dr. Warren and the comedians?
I am most looking forward to ice cream. But also to hearing about Dr. Warren’s work helping create new flavors for Snoop Dogg’s ice cream company, her research studying the “behavioral properties of frozen aerated desserts,” and asking her what the scientifically best and worst ice cream flavors are.
Do you have any pre-show rituals when you’re performing in front of an audience, or even just in general?
My pre-show ritual is to panic, sweat through my shirt, rethink all of my life choices, and then go out onto the stage.
What is your idea of the perfect night out at Dynasty Typewriter, in particular?
I love Dynasty Typewriter! It’s my favorite comedy venue in Los Angeles. It’s also right next to Wi Spa, so you could always catch the show and then immediately soak in several different tubs and get a full body scrub. That’s a really bold combination for a night out, but it is technically possible! A tad less unhinged would be to grab a drink and some food at The Prince**, one of the most fun and classically LA spots in the city. I love the ambience and also the addition of mozzarella to almost any food you order there. The HMS Bounty is another classic LA spot that’s close by and has surprisingly good food. Plus, I don’t think this is true, but I always tell people I bring there that it’s made from an actual ship. Don’t fact check that.
What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
Frankly, I think it’s hard to beat a good vanilla with hot fudge on top. But when I go to Handel’s in Los Feliz (my current favorite ice cream shop), I love to get their taro flavor.
Where do you draw inspiration from in your work?
I am largely inspired by typos on signs.
Incredible. Anything else you’d like to share with your sweet toothed crowd?
Please come to this show, it’s on Tuesday, June 17th at 7:30 p.m. at Dynasty Typewriter and I will personally guarantee you get ice cream during the show. PROVE YOU HAVE A SWEET TOOTH BY COMING AND BRINGING ALL YOUR FRIENDS!!!!
(Much of the way I promote my comedy veers between aggressive yelling and begging for people to attend. It’s kind of my signature.)
As a quick side note, your podcast “How to Be a Better Human” is incredibly sincere and eye-opening. Is there a singular episode or anecdote you have in your memory bank that really solidifies your commitment to the self-help genre?
My memory bank is experiencing a dramatic run on the reserves and it is not FDIC insured. It’s a very unreliable bank. That being said, I loved the episode we did this season with Clint Smith III about history and memory.
**The Prince is absolutely worth it if you want to feel like you’re on set. You may recognize it from several of your favorite productions, including as Nick Miller’s bar in New Girl. Right across the street sits Los Angeles High School of The Arts, which is also a big piece of history and a filming location.
Festival season is upon us. Even if you aren’t braving a multi-day, camping festival on a farm (Hello, Bonnaroo!) or in the wilderness (Hinterland, we love you!), there are urban festivals (Lookin’ at you, Riot Fest!) and those tucked away in parks (Hi, Outsidelands!) all across the United States and beyond.
But with these events comes facing the elements. You have to make sure you are prepared for the weather, whether you like it or not. Here, TK products to take with you on your next festival adventure to keep yourself in good spirits.
magnum solace magnesium oil
Travel can lead to excitement, a difference in schedule, and irregular sleep. Camping outside can make it almost impossible to sleep comfortably.
For the moments where you could use a little help falling asleep, this magnesium oil is incredible. Spray the unscented oil on your arms, legs, or feet, and lay down to get one of the best rests of your life.
Erin Zimmerman sent this to me to help me keep my sleep patterns regular. I let a co-producer borrow this while they were on a consolidated schedule in a different time zone and she said she had never slept that well outside of her own bed.
drip drop electrolyte powder
No matter what you’re up to this summer, staying hydrated is key. I try a lot of different hydration beverages, and this one – so far – has been my absolute favorite. You can find DripDrop at Costco online, a 40 pack of watermelon and lemon/lime powders.
The watermelon tastes like a watermelon Jolly Rancher, and the lemon/lime option tastes exactly like Gatorade. They include no sugar, and 3x the hydration of some of your bulkier beverages.
five below honey & jojoba shimmer body oil
You can’t hit up a festival without a little bit of glitz. This natural body oil is packed with sparkles, but is also extra hydrating and has a light scent to it (nothing overwhelming). You won’t feel any guilt about spraying it on your décolletage, shoulders, and legs because it’s budget-friendly, at just $1 at Five Below.
trader joe’s facial spf
This sunscreen is silky smooth and easy to apply, the same texture and consistency as lightweight foundation primers. It is oil free, and won’t leave a cast or any weird residue. The size of the bottle makes it easy to keep it on your person at all times, which is great for re-application of the SPF 40 formula every 40 minutes as suggested.
At just $8, there’s no reason not to consider this.
supergirl! disco stick
If you aren’t immediately drawn to the glitter branding and the name of this product – anyone returning to the days of Lady Gaga’s single? – then you will be thrilled by the price. For just $5 at Five Below, you can grab this SPF 30 dry oil stick. Perfect for your décolletage, this unscented sunscreen is a bit of a highlighter for the skin. No weird, sticky, slimy feelings after application, either!
newman’s own organic herb blends
This may seem out of left field, but Newman’s Own recently introduced a tasty line of organic spices to their offerings. Lucky enough to have tried them recently, I can say with absolute certainty that keeping the Churro blend and the Citrus Herb blend on-hand can help add flavor to anything you may be eating. I might not pull them out at a fancy restaurant, but I would absolutely season my takeout, food truck findings, and camping-friendly items with them.
If you love tacos and intend to try some out, there is an incredible Street Taco blend that you might want to throw in your bag.
loop earplugs
I did not understand relief until my sister bought me a 3-pack of Loop earplugs. I got three different decibal protection levels, each in their own keychain carrying case.
The fun part about these earplugs is that you twist them into your ears, where they nestle well. Each pair comes with adjusters in small, medium, and large so you can fit them to your ears, reducing the common earplug issue of them popping out.
Now, I can protect my hearing against noise pollution at any point, I just need to reach down and grab them out of my keychain.
I can also drown everyone out with the noise cancelling attachments and the small carrying case the set came with.
arctic air breeze jet (air conditioner/fan)
I cannot gate keep here. The Arctic Air Breeze Jet is the #1 item to add to your festival list this year. This mini air conditioner/fan has 3 speeds and is relatively quiet, meaning it certainly won’t be an issue in a loud environment with your ear plugs in. It comes charged up with a USB plug that will easily get the battery back to 100% on-the-go. Clip it to your belt to get the airflow going up – and under your shirt, if you’d like – or attach it using the lanyard that comes with.
It is no surprise that FOX’s “New Girl” was a fast and easy television hit. With its fun storyline, quirky one-liners, and handsome young cast, it infiltrated the hearts of many—and left a legacy that has people quoting it back and forth into infinity.
Jess, Winston, Coach, and Nick were all amazing gems, but we have to give the funny bone award to Schmidt, if there were such a thing, of course. His quick jokes, his awkward sincerity, and his weird mannerisms always had us silent giggling. (Which ultimately means he takes our breath away, does it not?)
In a bout of nostalgia – and to honor my cat Schmidt, who has become a mascot of sorts for several publications I have been at the helm of – here is a list I wrote in 2012 with the 25 best Schmidt-isms of that year. (Although, we don’t believe any of them will top September 2011’s “You’ve got some Schmidt on your face”. Even dad’s quote that one.) You can thank us later.
“Guess whose personalized condoms just arrived!” – Season 1, Episode 10
“Damn it! I can’t find my driving moccasins anywhere!” – Season 1, Episode 10
“Coincidentally, I’m wearing my lap dance pants!” – Season 1, Episode 10
“Can someone please get my towel? It’s in my room next to my Irish walking cape!” – Season 1, Episode 11
“What if I ate my own hair and pooped out a wig?” – Season 1, Episode 12
“This is a horrible neighborhood. There are youths everywhere!” – Season 1, Episode 13
“You know where that puts you in six months? Watching It’s Complicated on DVD while you cradle your newborn baby to sleep. And guess what! It’s not complicated. It’s about a bunch of rich white people who are remodeling their kitchen.” – Season 1, Episode 13
“‘Outliers’ — you should read it. Malcolm Gladwell. It’s one of my desert island books, along with Machiavelli’s ‘The Prince,’ ‘Freak’ by John Leguizamo, any of the scripts from the first season of ‘Vampire Diaries,’ a little ‘Phantom Tollbooth…’” – Season 1, Episode 13
“I’m like a sexual snowflake. Each night with me is a unique experience.” – Season 1, Episode 14
“I’m gonna have to run all the way home, and I have my slipperiest loafers on!” – Season 1, Episode 16
“You’re listening to the radio and writing with a pen? What decade are we in?” – Season 1, Episode 20
“Would you line up around the corner if the iPhone was called ‘the slippery germ brick’?” – Season 1, Episode 20
“An Indian-Jewish baby? Who wouldn’t want that? Think about the bone structure!” – Season 1, Episode 21
“Old people freak me out. With their hands and their legs. They’re like the people version of pleated pants.” – Season 1, Episode 23
“Backsliding is what happens after a clean break. When you freak out and you go crawling back and you make everything messy and horrible.” – Season 1, Episode 23
“Can you believe the zoo wouldn’t let me borrow their white tiger? I mean, the nerve! Philip Seymour Hoffman is going to be sitting at the back of the party thinking, ‘Look at that guy. He couldn’t even get a big cat.’” – Season 2, Episode 1
“Winston, your sister got so hot! I’m gonna have to Shaq attack her! May I have your blessing? Because I’m gonna be like dribbling up the court, illegal sexual foul – boom! Illegal use of hands – boom!” –Season 2, Episode 2
“Winston, you’ve been staring at this girl for 5 minutes. Please tell me you’re checking her out, otherwise you’re a serial killer. Which would explain a lot.” – Season 2, Episode 3
“If you track my trajectory I’m gonna live to be 123 years old. Hello, Robot Sex.” – Season 2, Episode 4
“Without sex, she’s not your girlfriend. She’s a friend you buy meals for.” – Season 2, Episode 6
“We sold our qualms. We used the profits to by perfect bodies.” – Season 2, Episode 7
“There’s a fine line between sexual harassment and something awesome.” – Season 2, Episode 7
“You are a gynecologist and a lesbian. This makes you a vagenius.” – Season 2, Episode 9
“I can’t believe I have to have feelings to have good sex. I thought I’d be dead before that happened.” – Season 2, Episode 9
“I don’t celebrate Christmas. Or, as I like to call it, ‘White Anglo Saxon Winter Privilege Night’.” – Season 2, Episode 11
In 2024, Kansas City welcomed over thirty talented artists and performers to compete on Second Chance Stage, a television show that serves to give people a second shot at some of their biggest dreams. From a grocery store clerk who can belt out opera songs, to a special education teacher who sings to uplift those around him, to a flight attendant whose dreams of stand up comedy will never be dashed, the stages at the historic Music Hall and Arrest Bank Theater at The Midland were absolutely lit up – physically and emotionally – with every performance. I was lucky enough to be hired as an associate producer on the project, along with the my twin sister. It was here that we fell in love with a select few performers that we just couldn’t get enough of.
One of those outstanding entertainers? A comedian by the name of Xazmin Garza. During the entire two weeks of filming, we found ourselves drawn to her energy. From her live sets to the content she shares with such vulnerability, it’s clear that Xazmin has lived a thousand different lives. And bits of her story are so deeply relatable, that the humor she finds in life – dark at times – is undeniable. She is a captivating artist, and I’m just sorry I didn’t know about her sooner.
And when you sit down to watch Second Chance Stage – we will just assume you haven’t, but that you will immediately and then suggest it to all of your friends – you will understand why. When a comedy set has everyone cheering, and the comedian’s story leaves not a dry eye in the house, you know there’s magic in the air. When she tells you, specifically, “My biggest influences are Chris Rock and all female athletes,” then you know you’ve met someone with that extra sparkle.
And that’s exactly what she told us when she sat down to answer a few questions with us.
Upfront, Xazmin Garza will tell you who she is and how proud she is of herself and her family, an ownership we need more of onstage. An unrelenting appreciation for what we have when we have it. Some of her jokes will center on feeling “other” in many different types of scenarios – from growing up in Utah, to living on the east coast, to finding a church she can really vibe with – and they’re endlessly relatable. “I grew up in Utah. I’m not white or Mormon so I never felt at home there,” she explains, understandably. “I couldn’t wait to leave and be around more racially diverse people. But yeah, being from a place where I was called the ‘n’ word as a child (wtf?!) definitely shaped who I am today. I’ll probably always be healing in some way from that, whether I realize it or not.”
While she heals from experiences like growing up in Utah and moving from New York City and feeling like she lost momentum on her comedy career, she seems to have hit a groove in recent months. And her fanbase is benefitting. Her jokes are solid, her delivery is confident, and her moves feel purposeful.
But it wasn’t always exactly this smooth. She got started in comedy in her late thirties, which is almost unheard of for female entertainers, and played to many audiences across the east coast in cities like Boston and New York. Thank goodness society has gotten a kick in the ass and is beginning to appreciate different perspectives in comedy now, because Xazmin always found purpose in bringing others joy.
I could always bring my loved ones to tears with laughter. The more defining moment [when I realized I wanted to pursue comedy] was when I realized doing that was the best feeling in the world to me. I was at a wedding where I was someone’s plus one. I was cracking up all my date’s friends and I could tell it was upsetting my date. I could’ve gotten quiet from there, and just sat and looked pretty, but I chose to keep upsetting him.
I’m sure she’s found herself involved in many defining moments since, especially as she pursued comedy in New York City. “Moving to New York to make it as a comedian was scary,” she admits. “I knew it was going to be lonely and hard but I believed in my skills enough to do it anyway. It felt amazing to have something worth doing that for.”
In all honesty, I haven’t seen near enough of her material to understand how much she has evolved. But I do know that she went through the wringer as a female comic. Because of that, she has so much respect for other female comedians, and a really strong stance on how to maintain self-respect that most people could learn from. “When I was starting out, a local headliner told all the female comics not to fuck the guy comics,” she tells us. “I totally disagree with that. I just wish female comics wouldn’t fuck guys—comics or not—who don’t think they’re funny. If a woman is serious about comedy, she shouldn’t do that to herself or her art.”
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Xazmin recently moved to Arizona to be a source of full-time support for her mother, whose dementia diagnosis has provided a different set of experiences to fuel her growing comedy career. When Xazmin talks about her mother – whether she is posting a video to social media in vulnerability or mentioning her during a set – you can see deep appreciation and warmth wash over her. “My mom’s dementia caused her to lose some of her inhibitions,” she explains. “She laughs loud as hell now—like her kids do. When I hear her cracking up laughing—especially when I caused it—I feel so happy. Yes, because she’s having a good time but to hear her that free and taking up space gives me so much pride as her caregiver.”
Xazmin isn’t just getting support through her family unit back in Arizona, her day job fully backs her comedic aspirations. They posted about their star copywriter on their social media accounts when her episodes of Second Chance Stage were airing. “My day job has been supportive of my comedy aspirations from day one. I’m very fortunate in that regard. They encourage me and truly want to see me win. Plus, there’s no one in the world I would hide this from. ‘I’m dope and I do dope things!'”
Now, to get to Second Chance Stage, which was filmed in the springtime of 2024. Every contestant from a warm weather state was losing their minds while we suffered through freezing temperatures during that time. One of the perks, Xazmin, admits, was the food. “I liked the barbecue in Kansas City,” she remembers.
I, personally, think this warrants another trip to our city to rank the best barbecue, but we can table that for now.
After we wrapped, the contestants and crew had to wait eight months before the first shows aired. This type of wait time is not as common, but reality television often has a lot more footage to sort through and compile. This particular show, like many on-stage competitions, incorporated both live performance and documentary-style footage, a crew of dozens, and a lot of good energy. Xazmin had no problem keeping the experience tucked away, though. Confidently and hilariously, she admitted, “I’m a great secret keeper. Especially when I sign 42 pages of legal documents promising to keep a secret!”
Xazmin’s experience as a contestant was reason enough for her to keep the secret close to the vest. “The experience [on Second Chance Stage] was the time of my life. We got the star treatment, I got validation from the judges and audience, and I went home with restored hope for the future of my career.” This was such a golden takeaway for everyone in the cast, crew, and audience. The performers all left with advice to further their careers, nuggets of inspiration, and having inspired theaters full of dreamers, me included.
When asked directly how she handled staying grounded and calm during her stay in Kansas City, Xazmin admitted that her mother had a lot more to do with it than any distance would have indicated. In honesty and hilariously, she admitted, “I stayed grounded because my mom was calling me while I was in my hotel room, telling me my dad doesn’t take care of her as well as me.”
See what I mean? Humor. Grace.
While those words of affirmation may have kept her going during her two weeks in Kansas City, what about the things that get her amped up on a regular basis? “On my drive to the club, I listen to music that hypes me up. ‘Queen Bitch’ by Lil Kim and ‘X Gon Give It to Ya’ by DMX. Once I’m in the green room, I just try to be in good spirits before I go up so I can genuinely bring positive energy to the stage. I avoid people and energy that piss me off or make me self-conscious.” In other words, she’s living the life we all strive for.
If she had one piece of advice for someone beginning their career later in life, it would be this: “I would tell someone starting comedy later in life to use their life experience to their advantage. They have stories to tell and a point of view to share. I’d also tell them that if they don’t want to learn how to edit videos to not start doing comedy.”
The following is a quote straight from the lips of the angel Xazmin Garza herself, perhaps a bit of advice for anyone who chooses to pursue her – professionally, personally, or otherwise – for any reason in the future.
Oysters and dirty martinis always put me in celebration mode. It is time to party when I’m having those.
Keep up with Xazmin on Instagram, where she posts all upcoming shows and comedy updates.
In the post-COVID era, it’s completely changed what it means to go to the movies. Nowadays, with ticket prices higher than ever and more audience members wanting to wait for streaming as opposed to going out, the few films that are successful commercially do so by either being a known IP or is an original that breaks through with their marketing. The former is obvious; as everyone knows that the highest-grossing films per year are sequels, remakes, adaptations, or connected to something recognizable. Yet for the latter, an original film that still makes its money back and gets people talking, it feels more like an event than a movie. Longlegs, the new horror film by Oz Perkins (The Blackcoat’s Daughter), was a movie that I saw simply because of how much I heard about it online. This came down to the film’s stellar reviews (being from NEON, an independent film distributor rivaling A24 as a stamp of quality for original work) and guerilla-style interactive marketing techniques that gave the film an unavoidable presence for film nerds like myself or otherwise.
Longlegs is a serial killer film that wears its references on its sleeve, with obvious influences in Se7en and especially The Silence of the Lambs. It stars Maika Monroe (It Follows) as a newly recruited and possibly clairvoyant FBI agent named Lee Harker in the early 90s (very Clarice Starling-like), assigned to investigate a decade-spanning case of a serial killer known as Longlegs. The killer, played by the always insane and polarizing Nicolas Cage, conducts brutal family murder-suicides, yet has no trace or imprint at each crime scene except for a note containing Satanic coding and his signature. Along the way, Harker discovers the case may have connections to her personally, with potential links to her mother, played by Alicia Witt.
The immediate praises that the film has been getting from everyone else are the technical aspects, namely the directing, cinematography, and sound design, which are truly immaculate and meticulously thought out in every scene. Every shot maximizes suspense and unsettlement through framing, lighting, mood, sound, score, and pacing. It’s cold and atmospheric, with dread and tension consistently present in every scene. Perkins is always confident in where to put the camera, where/when to move it, and how long a shot should stay for full effect, and I’m excited to see his future projects. (I also enjoyed the detail of the film’s aspect changing whenever there was a flashback.) The score by Zilgi (aka the director’s brother, Elvis Perkins), is suitably creepy and adds to the stressfulness of some scenes, and the sound department led by Eugenio Battaglia is damn near perfect. The sound of Longlegs is crisp and dry, with enough emphasis on certain details and the tiniest of sounds to keep your eyes peeled on the screen. However, what disappointed me was the infrequent, but still annoying, use of obnoxiously loud jump scare-type noise to elicit bigger reactions from the audience during certain moments. It’s cheap and feels deeply amateurish considering how expertly crafted the rest of the sound design is.
I liked Maika Monroe’s acting in this, being an intentionally muted agent who seems like a blank slate and seems to lack deeper connections to most of the other characters. That’s another way Perkins builds intrigue with his shot composition, by focusing on one character per shot and rarely featuring two at once to deepen the disconnect between each other. The film keeps her character at arm’s length for much of it until it reveals more about her. Nicolas Cage, as Longlegs, is suitably over-the-top in his usual Cagey way. His somewhat hammy performance intentionally contrasts with the more reserved characters and setting of the rest of the film, which is stressed by Cage’s usual great screen presence that bounces between slithery and creepy to loud and freakish in seconds. Sometimes he can seem to overdo his performance, but he remains entertaining throughout. As a music nerd, I admired the 70s glam rock references to his character in terms of look and performance, as well as having songs by T. Rex as a motif. The heavy makeup and campy portrayal of the killer from Cage gives the impression of being influenced by several musicians of that era, such as David Johansen of New York Dolls, Rod Stewart, or even outsider folk singer Tiny Tim.
Unfortunately, what really determined my thoughts about the film was the resolution to the plot. Giving nothing away, the main issue with Longlegs is the dump of plot exposition that explains every mystery to the central case towards the film’s end. The film follows a similar plot structure to a lot of thrillers and serial killer investigation films but feels fresh and exciting because of the style and craft behind it. There’s a lot of promise and intrigue early on through new questions being introduced, and it seems to build up to a thrilling climax. Yet the explanations provided not only feel too vague and unsatisfying, but they’re too sudden and close to the end of the film to have the shock and impact it could’ve. It’s a shame that the film stumbles in its final act through its writing and plot development, and ends on a note that leaves it less than the sum of its parts.
Still, even if I had my problems with it, there’s still a lot to admire here. Longlegs is such a marvel in its visuals, direction, and technical aspects as a thriller to make it worth a viewing, even if your enjoyment may depend on your suspension of disbelief as its plot reveals.
Emo children of the aughts rejoice, because one of our favorite live bands is making the rounds again, and they’re bigger than ever before. Pop-punk bad boys Yellowcard delivered a kiss of surf pop, a hint of nostalgia, and a whole lot of energy every time they took the stage. So when I had the opportunity to interview Ryan Key, Yellowcard’s lead singer, Star Wars aficionado, podcast host, and content creator extraordinaire – I snapped it up.
One of the first things I say, after promising myself not to bring it up? “I spoke to you in 2006 and it was to ask you to sign a t-shirt for my friend and I was too nervous to say anything else.” Cool. Word vomit.
“Oh, I was such a little shit in 2006 too,” Key immediately admitted, laughing. “So, it should be a way better encounter this time, I promise.”
Key’s self-awareness eased us into a conversation that ran the gamut. From our shared love of Star Wars (Though I haven’t quite expanded into podcast territory yet), being driven by bitterness through some tough times, how it feels coming off the biggest tour Yellowcard has ever experienced, and reflecting on 20 years of Ocean Avenue.
Yellowcard’s rapid-fire return fueled a “Celebrating 20 Years of Ocean Avenue” tour that took on bigger venues than they’ve ever played. The band’s welcome back was far from polite, with screaming fans more dedicated to the art form, acceptance of the music, and enjoyment during shows to fuel the energy.
From theatrical beginnings…
Admittedly, Ryan didn’t do much with music growing up. He took piano lessons for a couple of months, hated it, and quit. He wasn’t much for musicals, either. He was much more attached to the idea of the theater. An idea – it seems – that may have stemmed from his first role as Tiny Tim in none other than A Christmas Carol.
“It’s two lines,” Key admits, laughing. “But being on stage at 6 years old in front of enough people, I can only imagine shaped me, changed me forever. Having that moment happen on your impressionable little 1st-grade mind. It’s like, yeah I want more of this. You get that dopamine hit of being on stage and the adrenaline of that, you want more of that. And you don’t know why but I think as a kid, after that, I was just dead set on being on stage however I could.”
In 10th grade, Key was accepted to Douglas Anderson School of the Arts in Jacksonville and his pursuit of acting and theater got really serious. He was super involved at school in the shows and the deep, specific education. “We were studying Stanslovsky and real heavy stuff for high school kids,” Key says.
…to stress-reducing hobbies.
To help blow off steam in his -very limited – free time? “I had a band on the weekends,” he explains. “I got my first guitar when I was 11 or 12 years old and I played it and I wrote really crappy songs and had some friends that I played with but that was never gonna be something that I did professionally. I never even had it in my mind. I didn’t really enjoy singing, to be honest, very much. It’s still not my favorite part of my job. I was the lead singer of the band but I think that comes from that sense of wanting to be an entertainer, wanting to be a performer.”
This fact can be hard to believe, as Key’s vocal range is impressive and wide-ranging in its pop-punk glory. And his life performance tactics? Energetic to this day, at a level most people aren’t entirely capable of even at their peak. “It was never in my mind as something I wanted to pursue as a career,” he shrugs. “I just didn’t get into college where I wanted to go.”
When one door closes…
Ryan never let his rejection to the Theater Program at Boston University – twice, unfortunately – go. “I got into school in Boston but I didn’t get into their BFA program. My parents were like, ‘We’re not going to spend all that money for you to go to a private school in Boston if you’re not in the program that you want to be in.'”
While reasonable, it can be difficult to recover from something like that so early on in one’s career. From that bitterness was born a focus. Admittedly – and fairly – Ryan was spiteful about what had happened and chose not to complete the BFA program he started in Florida. He dropped out of school, leaned hard into music, and eventually began singing in Yellowcard.
To hear an artist admit to leaning into something in that anger is very refreshing. You often hear about heartache and heartbreak in everyone’s work, but it can be difficult to address the times of anger and instances when you feel things didn’t go the way they perhaps should have. Having a creative outlet to pour himself into was clearly the way to go, and is something so many of us should embrace as a healing mechanism in times of trouble.
Celebrating 20 Years of Ocean Avenue
Ryan says the band really appreciates the fact that the fans have weathered the storms alongside them. He credits this grand musical journey to the fact that fans have been patient and forgiving.
I have, personally, been a fan of Yellowcard’s since I was an adolescent, so getting a peek into their tour dynamic was ideal. When asked about the “Celebrating 20 Years of Ocean Avenue” tour, Key was almost gushing. “I feel like my favorite part of the tour was the energy between the band itself. I don’t think we’ve ever gone on a tour that was so lacking in negativity as this one. This tour was so full of happiness and positivity that it felt like an alien world, almost, compared to the Yellowcard that I’ve known for the past 20+ years.”
What Key refers to – this feeling of a more in-sync crew and better touring environment and experience – has been echoed by artists the world over since the pandemic triggered larger conversations around mental health and balance in the music industry. Tours are being approached in a more holistic manner, and it’s been a reinvigorating time in the music industry. He went on:
I think we all felt that way. Which compounded each other aspect of the tour. The shows and interaction with fans, on-stage and off, and the support I think that we had from our crew every day felt stronger and better. I think that’s because there was a sense of peace and calm on the road.
We’ve never had that. Yellowcard has historically been a bit of a chaotic and tumultuous bag of personalities that have not created the best environment to work in. So this was, you know, jarring in the best possible way, to get out there and get a couple weeks in and realize, Oh, everything is just OK. And we can just let that be.
Pausing to reflect
It was almost spiritual, the way that he described it. Key’s acute awareness of the dynamic of the band made me wonder, aloud, how long it took in his career to come to this acceptance of who he is and his identity in the band.
I think it started, for me personally, during the final chapter of it all, at the end. You know, in 2016, 2017. Realizing that I was going to lose it forever because, at the time, it truly felt like that was going to be the case. It started with, I think, just a simple idea of really wanting to enjoy that tour in 2016 and 2017 and the international stuff we did.
That whole experience, as much as I tried, was sort of tinged with the reasons we were stepping away from it. The metrics that you use to quantify success, right, started to say “This is on the way down. We’re on the backslide.” Let’s end this before it goes too far so we can end it on our own terms and make it something special for fans and for ourselves.
It went a lot deeper than that because it did go into the personalities and the inner workings of the band and things that we keep pretty close to the chest. So, as much as I tried to really enjoy it all, there was still an air of sadness and kind of negativity that had carried into that from all of the reasons we decided to step away in the first place.
It wasn’t until I got home and started to have to figure out how to make my own way [that the self-awareness set in.] And the pandemic, really, was huge. A good friend of mine from high school was stopping through to stay with me. I had moved back to Los Angeles – which didn’t work out because the pandemic hit and we couldn’t tour or work so I was only there for about 6 or 8 months and then I left to come back east – but I had gone out there to kind of re-establish myself there and start working on film and tv music and things I want to do, too, as I get older.
My friend stopped through and it was only going to be for a week but it was the week that the lockdown happened in California. So he ended up staying with me for an entire month. During that time, he sort of opened my mind to meditating and starting to truly figure out what was going on with myself and work on the reasons why I had ended up where I was. I had never taken a minute to look that far inward, I don’t think. So it really wasn’t until 2020 that I started to kind of forge the path that has led me back here, now, where I am.
As if to echo this spiritual, self-reflective sentiment, he notably wrapped the tour wielding a lightsaber, a symbol that the force is strong. While he claims that he brought the saber to make his nephew happy, we know there were probably additional motives here. (Because, really, who doesn’t want to have a lightsaber on tour with them?) For those of you wondering, yes, he does have a lightsaber lying around. In fact, he has multiple.
Embracing creative outlets
Besides his lifetime love of the franchise, Key has had the opportunity to connect with the franchise on a different level since the pandemic. “I’ve been really lucky the last 3 or 4 years to intensify my connection with Star Wars through hosting the Thank The Maker podcast with my friends,” he almost gushes. “I think Star Wars reminds you, at 43 years old, if you just give in and let yourself love it the way that I do, it reminds you how to play. That’s something that adults just don’t do.”
At this point, Key doesn’t realize he has hit a home run and we dive into a conversation about what being a “Disney adult” means in certain circles and some of the symbolism involved in Star Wars. We agreed that a certain level of play is encouraged to truly live a full life, especially as we age. “I’m a big fan of my wife for allowing me to just embrace that side, that childhood side of me, and letting me dress up in costumes with my friends and swing lightsabers around, you know?” he says, almost in amazement. “It’s really been a beneficial thing.”
Embracing change
As for if anything has changed for the band over the years – aside from the deep, self-realizations and occasional weaponry – Ryan says writing with everyone has become much more simplified. Explaining that the technology just wasn’t there to support quick changes to tracks and production fixes when they recorded their first albums, Key said the process now is just so much more accessible. “We can get right into ProTools, create the demo, program the drums so that we can change those around – we can try all the different options.”
The great part about having home studios is being able to control the sound as you build it. This way, you have more of an actualized recording that more than likely will sound much more similar to the final product. “It’s way more inspiring to have a good-sounding, ripping demo to steer the direction of the melody and the lyric that I’m going to put over the music.”
But the way Yellowcard writes? Pretty much the same. And super focused on the instrumentals. “It’ll start with usually a guitar riff. Shawn also has brought plenty of ideas on the violin or ideas for the structure of a whole song. He’ll have like a motif or a chord progression he will bring in that we will then build riffs and things around that.”
But you have to remember, Ryan is one with The Force. “I get middle-of-the-night ideas sometimes. I’ll wake up or I’ll not be able to sleep, one or the other. And it’ll just happen and I’ll take out my notes app on my phone and start plugging stuff in.
The title track from their latest release, “Childhood Eyes,” actually came to be that way. “I woke up with that chorus melody in my head and I started to put words to it. I could hear it happening in my head. And when I got to Austin for pre-production, I had an idea for the verse and the chorus in my notepad but I had never picked up a guitar to put music to it. So I just said, ‘Hey I have these lyrics and I have sort of a cadence and a rhythm for them.’ And we wrote the whole song in 15 minutes.”
Looking forward…
In the coming weeks, Key will be working from his new home studio. When asked about his plans for the space, he perks up immediately. “I’m doing the whole room black,” he says. “Ceiling, walls, floor. A lot of wood grain and a lot of green pops in the room. The vibe is super Scandinavian, and I love that. I’m a big fan of Iceland, Sweden and Denmark. I love that part of the world so much. So we have a lot of this [look] in our house.”
Even more than the initial planning and execution of the project, this room will hold so much more meaning for Ryan as an artist, as he explores new podcast-related projects, and films content, pursues long-term goals (like music supervision and composition), and writes new Yellowcard songs for us to enjoy. It will also hold space for Ryan as a new father, viewing movies and creating art in this space with his family.
You mentioned we met in 2006. I wouldn’t want to meet me in 2006, you know? It’s just not even comparable, the headspace I’m in now and the tools that I have now to kind of prove my reactivity and try to stay positive. Things I was just incapable of doing for the better part of my career in Yellowcard until now. So, in the end, stepping away from the band and having that time was probably the best possible thing that could happen to me, personally. Because the perspective that I’ve come back to the band with is just so wildly different than it’s ever been before.
Yellowcard has, once again, taken a front seat in Ryan’s life. Check out an upcoming performance near you throughout 2024.
Kenzo Cregan trekked into the depths of SXSW 2023 this year, performing his signature indie rock for audiences from around the world. Though it wasn’t his first experience in ATX, he still seemed to allow the magic of the event – and the excitement around performing it – seep into his bones. If you’re looking for a quick, optimistic interview and an amazing artist to follow, this is it.
an interview with kenzo cregan
imperfect Fifth (iF): What was the first song or album that you remember hearing, and does that work of art have any influence on how you approach your music today?
Kenzo Cregan (KC): The first album I remember listening to was The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. I believe it is the pinnacle of great songwriting and production. It absolutely influences my songwriting. However, I only hope to touch the surface of that level of artistry.
iF: Tell us a little bit about what got you started in music, and how this project came to be.
KC: My musical journey began very early. My father was and still is a professional musician. He taught me how to play guitar, and the origins of rock n’ roll. My mother used to also be a singer back in the 80s, and both of them encouraged me to go after my dream. This current project was the result of a lot of trial and error. I finally realized what kind of project I want to have, and how I want to express myself musically.
iF: What did the road to SXSW look like for you, literally or figuratively?
KC: Well, this time around, there wasn’t a tour leading up to it. The bass player in my band joined me to form an acoustic duo for this run. We played 5 shows throughout the week, saw some other great bands, and made some great connections. We also got to explore the city quite a bit. We ate some good BBQ and went thrifting!
iF: Was this your first time at SXSW, or have you been to good ol’ ATX for the madness before?
KC: I had been before with a different project, and have been to Austin on tour.
iF: If you have been, do you have a favorite go-to spot for food, bevs, or people-watching?
KC: There’s this cool boot shop called Allen’s Boots that I went to before. So I had to stop by there for a quick look around.
iF: Best showcase, besides your own?
KC: The Dr. Martens Showcase was awesome! We saw this really cool punk band called “Dream Wife”. Definitely one of the best live performances I’d seen in a while!
iF: What was the most magical thing you found in Austin?
KC: Honestly, there was this Moroccan food truck we ate at on our last night. It was on Congress. Some of the best I’ve had in a while. Highly recommend!
iF: What’s your absolute favorite word right now, and why?
KC: “Love” will always be my favorite word!
iF: If you had the ability to tell the future, would you like it?
KC: Probably not. Feel like we’re heading towards some dark times, unfortunately. That’s why we need love now more than ever.
iF: What’s coming up for you that you’d like us to tell everyone about?
KC: I’m currently in the process of repackaging my music on all streaming platforms. As well as some new music in the works! Can’t wait for everyone to hear!
iF: Anything you’d like to add?
KC: Just want to say it’s always an honor and a privilege to be recognized for my music. Thank you for sending over these questions!
I’m a nostalgic person by nature. This time of year brings out all the memory triggers – smells, sights, yearly movies, conversations with family. Thinking back on the gifts I’ve gotten through the years, the most memorable often include music.
As a kid, my cousins and I drew names for gifts. Our family didn’t get together very often since we lived in different parts of the state, so Christmas at my grandmother’s house was a big deal. Christmas when I was eight was huge – the gift from my cousin was The Partridge Family Christmas album! Three of my cousins were slightly older than me, so they talked about songs and bands that were not on my elementary school radar. The Partridge Family, however, was on my TV every Friday night and now I had their album! The songs were Christmas standards, sung by David Cassidy, Shirley Jones and studio musicians. Very pedestrian by grown up standards, but that album meant the world to me. It even had a card attached to the front of the cover that was “signed” by the entire Partridge Family. What did I know about mass produced autographs? I nearly wore that record out playing it well beyond the holidays.
As a teenager, I would often get albums as gifts – Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours, Don Henley’s Building The Perfect Beast, all the albums by Hall & Oates. Music is so easy to gift and so appreciated. I still have an extensive album collection, even though I have most of the music downloaded, because they bring all the great memories to the fore. Reading liner notes was the best because you would know an entire song and be able to sing along immediately. As I got older, albums gave way to cassettes, then CDs.
Then came concert tickets!
I cannot hear Bruce Springsteen’s “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” without thinking of the first time I heard him sing it – November, 1984. It was also the first time I had seen Bruce live in concert and that song closed the show. Even though everyone in the crowd should have been spent after the four hour show, “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” just re-energized the full house. There was very defined time line – those events before that show, and those events that occurred after that show. Although I had been to live shows before that, all that came after would be compared to Bruce Springsteen live. It’s a high bar, but one that most artists meet in their own way.
Another special show was taking our family friend to see Barry Manilow. Her name was Mary Louise Weaver and she could not have been a bigger Barry fan. She was speechless, teary-eyed, smiling and singing – mostly simultaneously. She knew all of his music and had the best time. I was so happy to witness her happiness.
I am now a grown up with grown children, but I still experience the same excitement when I hear a song from any time in my life. Fortunately, all three of my kids have grown up loving music, so my husband and I did something right. We have a great time listening to different genres and attending different shows. I love to sing at the top of my lungs driving in the car, around the house, or at any concert I am attending. Music is a great unifier and sharing music is a gift that we can all give each other.
Now, it’s time to fire up the turntable for that Partridge Family album.
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What’s your favorite musical memory? Share with us so we can feel that nostalgia too, over on our Facebook page!
On today’s episode, we sit down with electronic musical duo Bronze Whale to talk about their evolution in the industry and the impact they’ve made on their genre. Of course we also carved in some space to talk about Sasquatch and other creatures of myth.
