Havin' a chat with Sean Altman Dave December 11, 2009 Blogs [Dave] Hi Sean, many thanks for agreeing to this interview, for those of you who are not familar with yourself could you please tell us 3 intresting things about you? [Sean Altman]1. Before I made a name for myself as a purveyor of Jewish comedy songs, I was (I shit you not) “The Father Of Modern A Cappella.”Really. As the founder and former lead singer-songwriter of Rockapella, I am a LEGEND in that genre (hold your stunned applause): a combination of Moses, Ghandi, the Pope and Johnny Depp. 2. As a singer I’ve performed for two U.S. Presidents (one good, one bad) and I’ve worked with many fancy people: Joey Ramone, Billy Joel, XTC, Moby, Spike Lee, Jon Stewart, Jay Leno and Whoopi Goldberg. Sadly, none of their fanciness has rubbed off on me. I must be coated with some sort of Jewish teflon. 3. My wife Inna Dukach is a rising star operatic soprano, making her debut at Covent Garden in London this month as Musetta in La Boheme. I know what you’re thinking: “What’s a classy starlet like her doing with a shlep like him?” Two words: pelvis technique. [Dave] You will be doing a show in The Academy on the 16th of December, have you ever gigged over in Ireland before? [S A] The last and only time I was in Dublin, for 24 hours in 2004, I made 65 euros busking, I played two songs in the weekly comedy event Battle Of The Axe at Ha’ Penny Bridge Inn and four songs at an open mic at the International Pub. That was a damned fun day. I vowed I would return to perform a bona fide concert and I’ve been true to my word. [Dave] Your new album/show is called ‘JEWMONGOUS Taller Than Jesus Holiday Concert Tour’ what made you come up with that as the name? [S A] JEWMONGOUS’ debut album is called “Taller Than Jesus”: a reference to my song of that name which alludes to John Lennon’s famous, inflammatory 1968 claim that the Beatles were “bigger than Jesus”. The song asserts my own claim that I, as a very tall man, am unquestionably *taller* than Jesus. Not *better*, just taller. [Dave] Can you tell us any exclusive news about the gig? [S A] I’m so jealous of the Irish tradition of rousing drinking songs that I wrote the first Irish-style Jewish drinking song. Jews aren’t known for their drinking so I did some internet research to determine what beverage my people supposedly like enough to warrant a jolly drinking shanty. Lo and behold, it turns out that there’s a filthy rumor called “the blood libel” that’s been floating around for a thousand years: “Jews like to drink the blood of Christian babies.” Who knew? My rabbi never mentioned this. My song “Christian Baby Blood” is as rollicking as any authentic Irish drinking song, and I will bellow it in an “authentic” Irish accent at the gig. [Dave] One of your song’s is called taller than Jesus, how tall are you and if I’m taller than you does that mean Jesus will be mad? [S A] I’m 6’3″ tall. Given that the average guy, at the time of Christ, was 4’9″-5’5″, I’m scientifically guaranteed to be much taller than Jesus. Jesus can be mad at me all he wants; as a Jew I’m immune to his magical powers. You, on the other hand, would be wise to stay on good terms with him, unless you fancy eternal damnation. [Dave] Music comedy is some what new over here in Ireland, how did you get into it? [S A] They say “write what you know”. As a songwriter I’ve written bitter songs about my ex-wife, bitter songs about my love handles, bitter songs about aging, bitter songs about bitterness. I became bored with “bitter.” I’ve now turned to a topic that I know *nothing* about: Judaism. It turns out that my exploration of my tribe’s rituals — circumcision, bar mitzvahs, anti-semitism, intermarriage, Jews’ place in rock’n’roll history, and the myth of inadequate penis size — is pretty funny. Go figure. [Dave] If there was a song you wish you wrote, what would it be and why? [S A] The serious answer is anything by the Beatles, notably the Rubber Soul/ Revolver era. I would settle for “White Christmas” though, which is the most recorded holiday song in history and was penned by one of my Jewish forbears, Irving Berlin. [Dave] You’re stranded on an island, you can bring two things and thankfully not bring one item what would they be and why? [S A] If I were a prick I’d bring Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johannson and *not* bring my sense of fidelity. I’m a “mensch”, though (a good man), so I’d bring my family and my guitar and *not* my swim suit. [Dave] One of my friends wants to play the piano(Ed. that’s me!), if he gets really good would you gig with him? [S A] The “buy-in” to perform with me in JEWMONGOUS is a mere 1000 euros. For double that he can do the gig without me while I get drunk at the bar. [Dave] As Christmas is coming up, what’s the worst gift you got from someone and what’s the worst gift you gave someone? [S A] The answer to both is Herpes. Just kidding. The correct answer is H1N1. [Dave] Have you any advice for budding comedians who are on the circuit? [S A] Don’t sing your jokes like I do. It’s hard enough to be funny much less simultaneously rhyme and sing in tune. [Dave] Whats the best time you’ve had in comedy? [S A] On the rare occasions when people laugh *with* me instead of *at* me, I feel genuinely loved. [Dave] If you could ask me one question what would it be? [S A] How many people will you bring to my gig? No, really! How come you’re not on Facebook right now inviting all your Irish friends to my gig? Is “Irish hospitality” just a myth? Facny catching up with Sean youcan see him here: OFFICIAL WEB SITE: http://www.jewmongous.comHEAR THE ENTIRE ALBUM ONLINE (media only):http://www.seanaltman.com/hits/jewmongous/TJT.htmlYOUTUBE CLIPS: http://www.jewmongous.com/media.phpHI-RES PHOTOS: http://www.jewmongous.com/pics.php JEWMONGOUS Taller Than Jesus Holiday Concert Tour Tue. Dec 15th @ The Bongo Club in Edinburgh37 Holyrood Rd£10.00, show 19:30www.thebongoclub.co.uk Wed. Dec 16th @ Academy 2 in DublinMiddle Abbey Street.£17.00, show 20:00www.ticketmaster.ie Sun. Dec 20th @ Boom Chicago in AmsterdamLeidseplein 12 1017 PT Amsterdamshow 7:30pmwww.boomchicago.nl Wed. Dec 23rd @ Dingwall’s in LondonMiddle Yard, Camden Lock Place, Primrose Hill£15 adv, doors 19:30, show 20:15www.ticketweb.co.uk Mon. Dec 28th @ Limmud Conference 2009The University of Warwick, UKwww.limmud.org Tweet
