A Few Questions with David Feinberg Posted 13 Sep 2025
Where do you generally look for inspiration when writing a joke?
This is a slow and grueling process that I'm sure no one else could replicate so you'd better not try! Don't you dare love a creative process! Not while you live under my roof! Stick to your paper shuffling
That, or I steal something from Tommy Koch.
How long do you develop a standup set before you feel like it's in a good place to record? Are there any particular indicators that you look for
Well I suppose now I've recorded two albums with one released, and the first one was just dumb confidence that had me take a shot at making something. I love listening to comedy albums in full and feeling how their machines work, so I figured I'd give it the old college try. From what I recall with each of them so far was that the material all felt cooked and connected and ready to be presented as a team. If people reading this can find a theme please reach out, but normally I find a path that connects each piece of material I want to the next and in an order that follows a certain curve or presentable through line. I normally start with a strong hook or something that will hold an audience in, then move through some stranger material, followed by a favorite at the end to close things out. It's probably better illustrated on a line graph with the Y-axis being the strange or weird factor and the X being the linear progression of the album. I like when sandwiched between the entertainment is a real moment, something painful presented in a new context, or something that the audience is struggling with about themselves either as individuals or a community. If anyone can pull what that is from each of my published works, you get a lolly.
I've had a variety of strange times here and there. We're living in the end of quite a comedy boom, especially for standup, but I tend with a stranger crowd and I search for strange stuff because it interests me. With that combination you get to some really fun places if you aren't a butthole all the time. Fun rooms off the top of the head would have to be some favorites like Fergie's and Helium Comedy Club in Philadelphia. Cave was a basement show I used to be on the team for, and it's now of blessed memory, along with Seaworld 2. Those last two were indie shows made by friends, and they all went on to do amazing things, but in that time we had such a good time as a family, a community, it was really very grounding and made us all want to get better just to have more fun. Here in Chicago I loved Crushes v.1, and I'm very much looking forward to attending the next iteration under new leadership (Aliveone Sunday nights), I adore the team behind "Home by Eight", a rooftop show that's been nothing but fun each time, and I love love love the whacky happenings at the Annoyance Comedy Theater which I always feel is like a clubhouse. Open Stage has been a staple of my time here in Chicago and Christian and Tess have made it into a smooth running machine. Shoutouts to BYOT for Rachel's living room of a space.
In terms of strange performance experiences, I'm really glad to say that sometimes people find my material provoking in ways that sparks conversation, which I tend to enjoy once some credible lack of physical threat has been established. My brother and I were just reminiscing about a few years back when I was invited to do a half hour in Philly. I had a chunk of material at the time about what I'd politely call the ethical euthanization of dogs of a certain age. Stand up doesn't read so well but in basic form it was that a system should be established like red and yellow cards in soccer for elderly pets where if public consensus says they're too old they're to be shuffled from the mortal coil. After the show was over, my brother and I were jawing about nonsense outside the bar when we were approached by one of you mousy haired Warby-Parker types who informed me that the chunk on dog murder was "both offensive and off putting". My brother Noah took the helm thank goodness, informing Portlandia that "you don't know how much you're encouraging him". Well said! I, on the other hand, was revived with smelling salts once the attacker had retreated to her lofted studio apartment.
'Plays the Hits' is an iconic naming trope - do you have any personal favorite 'Plays the Hits' records?
Yeesh, that's a tough one. Probably Neil Young followed by the Muppets. Funny enough that's also my hall pass list. Zing!
What are some names in the Chicago comedy scene that you think folks should be checking out?
It won't be a cop out because I'll eventually answer with some specifics, but if anyone reading this is trying to see more comedy or get yourself a favorite comedian to follow in the city, it's a lovely time if you let it be an organic process. I'm writing this in Chicago, a city that is the best system for doing this. Start by going to some shows and see some comics and see if one really resonates with you and then go from there to supporting them at shows. It means the world to these shut ins! Treating comedy and comedians like you would a band or musician can be a really rewarding time, and i think it's even a little better as you don't have to remain a fan- in some cases you can hang out with comedians you like and hear the insights on the projects they're doing. Slowly building a relationship with a comic and watching their career over time you can watch how they change and grow, and once they trust you it's much easier to kidnap and torture them as you originally intended.
Comedians to see right now in Chicago might include: Tommy Koch, who's been working all over the place and has been a friend to me for many years, Matty Merritt who has been making anything she damn well pleases and for good reason- everything she touches feels human and dynamic from sculpture to community organizing to knockoff plays. Sam Biru just "graduated" from the scene and is someone to look out for over the coming years- really dynamic and great stage presence. Olivia Carter just did Late Night and moved to NYC so she'll be more visible. Joey Budnarski just left Crushes to do things in NYC. Let me get down to the level as I can see I'm trailing into NYC grad terf. Travis Stuebing is one of my favorites and I thought one of the best actors in a leading role at Annoyance in my short memory for "Spider-Ben". Do not approach him with sudden movements or anything that emits light. The CRUD guys are a good taste of the wild side and have never given me the deeply expected. I don't think she'll need my praises but I love Kristi Durkin even after all the things she did to my brother. The pioneer and maniac behind the voice of CRUSHES, I hear she's killing it at Cole's on Wednesdays and Roadkill is amazing if you can get a ticket. Individual standups like Daisy Bentley, Ryan Kushner, and Maddie Davis who is also in a kick-ass band: Cel Ray. Weirdos for my Rushmore include Rob Steinberg, Al Wells, Chris Dritsas, Ian Erickson, Evelyn Torutman, Madigan Burke, and Jack McLennan. Brigid Broderick is wildly good and makes things faster than I can wrap my head around and oh my word the stage presence. Danny Lang made a special that I think people need to hear more and see at shows. Garden Boys too.
The guys from So Far So Good are super cool! A whole slew of us just did a little tour in NYC and they made some amazing content for the shows.
Improv teams I'm always a Dumb John guy. I've never seen an improv team as dynamic and wild, any team Mina Bond is on kills me. She doesn't do much standup now but when she does people should be there and listen. SAND rules but everyone knows that, PEGGY! Damn do I love that team. They have this criminally slept on show way north at this super cool venue called "The Factory" or something and the idea that people aren't there is fooooolish. Katie Horn rules and is a good window into clownishness that's starting to blow in from the super strong LA scene right now. Tyler Garamella will also give you this window.
Upcoming shows you MUST MUST MUST see Francesca Bucci's iteration on "Splatter" at the Annoyance come Halloween time. I was just with her at a wedding and she told me some of the things she has in store- it cannot be missed. It'll also be her last big project before she leaves us for NYC so it's vital. Your Grandma will still be sick tomorrow, she'd want you to go to the show! Rad AF is a fun time but the crowd needs to be louder laughers- no shade. Best comedy shirt I've seen in a long time not that that is important but hey I love a shirt, babe.
If "Little Orphan Boy" comes back you should really see it. Hacker did like a master pardy piece with it and the cast is UNTOUCHABLE.
Bill Reick should be read if you love anything about insights on pop culture but especially horror fans. He was also in a really cool indie called "Sleep, Walk. Kill" that is close to my heart.
Power couple of the year award goes to Brooke Whitehead and Anna-Leigh Stone for me. I cannot tell you how good Brooke is at standup but seeing it in person is a revelation. Anna-Leigh on the other hand has been making such fantastical works that showcase the powerhouse of not only her inner workings as an artist, but any of her collab work be it with Split Lip Theater (highly recommend)
Whoof I'm getting overwhelmed- and that's the thing is there is way way more than this. All you have to do is go out and see it! See a random show! See someone fail! You don't get to see that from most other kinds of artists that's what I think makes comedy really amazing.
I know I'm forgetting people on this list. If you are reading this and think "what the heck!? David didn't mention my thing!! I'm gonna kill him with a hacksaw!" well I'll reassure you it's a personal attack against your character and I've been plotting against you for years. Don't get mad, get even by getting your own opinion published in an indie music blog. Jealousy is a disease- get well soon, girlie!
Would be remiss if I didn't ask what music you're currently listening to?
That's a whole other world! I'm a big metal guy and just starting to connect the pieces on Blood Incantation. Tomb Mold as well has brought me back to form for some guttural biking soundtracks. I love Burl Ives Capitol Recordings for a taste of te lighter side and to scratch my folksy itches. I just heard Jackson C. Frank for the first time and it broke my damn heart. I am one of those guys that listens to the Grateful Dead live tapes as well as Minutemen and Low through the live Music app. I'm on a little journey right now to get away from Spotify and back to one of the great loves of my life, the iPod classic. I'm having one updated for maximum power as I type this too loudly in the public library. Just got my hands on Townes Van Zandt "Live at the Jester Lounge" and think it spins nice. Seems like we're gonna have a resurgence of outlaw country along with the fashion I'm seeing around so that'll be a nice platter to spin. Embarrassingly I'm just getting my head around "BRAT" of which I think the top track is for sure "Sympathy is a Knife" and it makes me miss SOPHIE real bad. Shellac's "1000 Hurts" is something I'm just peeling back the layers on which sucks because I feel like it'd be cooler to be into Big Black. I'm just a man, after all.
I do much of my media intake on a seasonal basis so I'm excited as the air lightly crisps to be readying myself to listen to lots of sad reflective stuff as the leaves fall. I'll do the same with books and fall asleep in my big comfy chair while the rest of you go on gossiping with bad breath.
Pick up David Feinberg "Plays the Hits" on cassette here!
