PREVIEW
Marc Maron
Sold out. 8 p.m. May 16. Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-524-7354, www.variety-playhouse.com.
CONCERT PREVIEW
Death Cab for Cutie
8 p.m. April 27. $35-$41. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. 404-881-2100, www.foxtheatre.org.
- See more at: http://www.myajc.com/news/entertainment/music/ben-gibbard-gets-personal-ahead-of-fox-theatre-sho/nkzKz/#sthash.KVbodcIe.dpuf
CONCERT PREVIEW
Death Cab for Cutie
8 p.m. April 27. $35-$41. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. 404-881-2100, www.foxtheatre.org.
- See more at: http://www.myajc.com/news/entertainment/music/ben-gibbard-gets-personal-ahead-of-fox-theatre-sho/nkzKz/#sthash.KVbodcIe.dpuf
CONCERT PREVIEW
Death Cab for Cutie
8 p.m. April 27. $35-$41. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. 404-881-2100, www.foxtheatre.org.
- See more at: http://www.myajc.com/news/entertainment/music/ben-gibbard-gets-personal-ahead-of-fox-theatre-sho/nkzKz/#sthash.KVbodcIe.dpuf
CONCERT PREVIEW
Death Cab for Cutie
8 p.m. April 27. $35-$41. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. 404-881-2100, www.foxtheatre.org.
- See more at: http://www.myajc.com/news/entertainment/music/ben-gibbard-gets-personal-ahead-of-fox-theatre-sho/nkzKz/#sthash.KVbodcIe.dpuf
Comedian Marc Maron has interviewed some pretty big names on his top-rated comedy and music podcast, "WTF With Marc Maron," but nobody made Maron achieve ultimate geek-out level like the two celebrities he interviewed in April.
“I felt like I had my moment of connection with both of them, and it was pretty exciting that they both connected with me and made jokes,” Maron said of his 10-minute talk with Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards.
It was a watershed moment in a career that spans nearly three decades, with Maron starting stand-up comedy in the late 1980s and his podcast in 2009. The podcast introduced Maron to a whole new audience, who listen to Maron’s candid riffs on his life before he dives into conversations with guests as varied as late-night talk show host Conan O’Brien, singer Fiona Apple and artist Shepard Fairey.
The ability to connect with both fans and celebrities helped Maron sell out his Saturday night show at Variety Playhouse. Maron discussed his foray into acting and his take on romantic relationships from his home in California.
Q: The last two times you were in Atlanta, you played at the very-small Laughing Skull Lounge and had a spot on the very large Oddball Comedy Festival at Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood. Which type of show do you prefer doing?
A: My experience with Atlanta is really about the Laughing Skull. The Laughing Skull is always good. It's a very specific kind of venue, it's very small and intimate and you can get a lot of interesting work done. I'm excited to play the Variety. We'll see how it goes. I'm good with the size of the venue, as long as there are people in it.
Q: Your IFC show, “Maron,” is coming back for Season 3. What can viewers expect?
A: It's definitely the funniest season we've done. The crew, and the writers and me have all gotten more comfortable. I think over the seasons I've become a bit of a better actor, I've become more clear on what that version of me does and what he can't do.
Q: You have a successful stand-up and podcast career. Why did you decide to tackle acting, too?
A: I don't really consider myself an actor. I seem to do a good job of acting like me or different variations of me. I think I have a very specific thing that I can do, so if I'm cast properly, I have fun. It's fun to be on (the HBO show) "Girls," it's fun to play a character other than me. It's more of a fun thing than it is a deep dream.
Q: You’re so open and candid in your act and on your show. Do you think that’s why people seem to feel comfortable opening up to you during interviews?
A: Yeah, that seems to be what's evolved. I don't know that I necessarily ever thought that I would be an interviewer per se, and I'm not sure that what I do is even interviewing. I sort of have conversations with people, and it seems that I have a way of doing it that I'm a little more aware of now than I was when I started. I sort of volunteer information about myself, and I have issues of my own that I put on the table and I do think that provokes someone to do the same.
Q: You’ve mentioned you’re in a new relationship. How difficult is it starting out when potential partners know you’re going to be talking about everything?
A: I've gotten better about that. I don't necessarily talk about everything. I've learned my lesson with that (expletive). New relationships in general are just tricky and I'm very cynical.
Q: Do you still believe in the idea, though, of falling in love?
A: I certainly believe in love, but I don't think at this point I'm going to necessarily have children or meet somebody to spend the rest of my life with or live here … love is certainly possible. It just doesn't need to be all up in your face making you miserable all the time.
