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blog post Live on CBC Radio 3: Stage Banter with Dan Mangan

posted by Tariq Hussain on Aug 27, 2009

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Today on Tariq's Basement Studio: A live, in studio PUN OFF with Dan Mangan!!!

DAN MANGAN PUN-OFF & INTERVIEW (for the Pun-Off jump to 17:00):

I remember watching Fred Eaglesmith play at the Calgary Folk Festival a few years back, and I thought: man, this guy has the best stage persona! He would tell these funny stories in between songs with this dead pan delivery that was priceless. And he never even cracked a smile.

Humorous on stage banter is dangerous territory when it comes to songwriters and indie rockers though. First off, not everyone is both musically AND comically gifted. Furthermore, too many jokes might suggest an artist doesn't take themselves seriously. Too few, and maybe they should lighten up.

So what exactly should go on in those spaces between songs (that is if the band even leaves spaces...)? If not humor, then a good story about the song goes a long way, don't you think? Or just a good story period. Which leads us to our

POLL QUESTION...

SHOULD STAGE BANTER BE FUNNY?

What sort of on stage banter do you appreciate from your favorite artists? OR, is "less talk more music" more your thing? What are some examples of the best stage banter you've ever seen?

:: Post your comments on our blog, OR

:: email: feedback@cbcradio3.com OR

:: Twitter us @ cbcradio3

posted by Tariq Hussain on Aug 27, 2009

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#1 posted by
AlexOfAnders
on Aug 27, 2009

I love puns, oh the irony, I can't think of one right now. Best of luck Tariq but I think you're going to have trouble beating Dan!

Stage banter doesn't have to be funny, but I like a performer who's engaging the crowd. It just feels kinda cold if they don't say anything.

#2 posted by
jodyg!
on Aug 27, 2009

Cory Woodward is like the Will Ferrel of good music. xo

#3 posted by
MusicSoop
on Aug 27, 2009

I've seen Minnie Driver play twice and, while her music was good, her banter was outstanding. She's very funny. And her super-cute accent doesn't hurt.

#4 posted by
mikesio
on Aug 27, 2009

I don’t think stage banter has to be funny, so long as it reveals something about the artist I’m watching. Jim Bryson is great at using banter to add to his show.

#5 posted by
CFLSessions
on Aug 27, 2009

I think a lot of banter is really self-indulgent, personally, especially in the singer-songwriter genres, but some masters of the form include Geoff Berner, Carolyn Mark, Lederhosen Lucil, Jenny Omnichord, and Wax Mannequin.

#6 posted by
calculust
on Aug 27, 2009

- Hawksley Workman
- Tegan and Sara
- Kathleen Edwards

and of course Dan Mangan!

#7 posted by
tornadoallie
on Aug 27, 2009

While I don't mind if stage banter is not funny, I definitely do enjoy shows more if the performer can tell a joke or two.

Joel Plaskett shows are always amazing musically, and his stage banter is hilarious.

#8 posted by
hgummo
on Aug 27, 2009

I agree with some of the comments above - banter doesn't have to be funny, just interesting and engaging. When I go to a show i don't want to feel like I could have just put on the CD and gotten the same experience.

Hayden is one of the best i've ever seen in terms of banter. He was hilarious in a very understated way and his stories just made me love the songs even more.

#9 posted by
Lana Gay
on Aug 27, 2009

Oh, he cracks me up. Sometimes I don't know if he's being serious or sarcastic. The tone in his voice doesn't change! Either way, he's a great storyteller and has me in stiches at least twice per show.

#10 posted by
kendar
on Aug 27, 2009

One of my favorite artists to hear banter is Amy Millan. She has the perfect combinations of witty and "oh yeah, that is cool to know" stories.

#11 posted by
KeepingItRiel
on Aug 27, 2009

@ tornadoallie

I have to agree with you, I love Joel Plaskett's stage banter. Entertaining, engaging and often hilarious. The bit about his earless cat just gets me every time :)

#12 posted by
suckamc
on Aug 27, 2009

I agree with tornadoallie, JP is very funny on stage. Danny Michel is good as well. I haven't seen a lot of the people that have been talked about here, Dan Mangan, Fred Eaglesmith, Bryson, ack!

I think I do like when band banter between songs. It also gives us a chance to react to them (in the ending of a song, and laughing/shouting/talking back).

Then again, it can be too much of a break as well. Some bands do very well by just launching right into a next song, sometimes with no musical break at all. That certainly keeps a dance floor moving.

Martin

#13 posted by
hgummo
on Aug 27, 2009

Haha, I know! He's funny in a really quirky way. I find him really awkward, but that makes him even funnier.

#14 posted by
MikeV
on Aug 27, 2009

I think it's usually a good thing. I don't know if it has to be funny per say. I just like to see them behave organically without forcing anything.

Jenn Grant was one artists who's banter stood out for me. She was quite silly but very engaging.

#15 posted by
brainwash
on Aug 27, 2009

Stage banter does make the show a bit more special, I usually like it, even if it's some "insert city here" rambling.

King Khan always seems to have a good story about being held up at the border, even if he's on time for the show.

#16 posted by
MikeV
on Aug 27, 2009

Enter Comment Here:

#17 posted by
andaoneandatwo
on Aug 27, 2009

Please play all Jim Bryson songs all day long. Sorry Dan Mangan but you are day will come.

#18 posted by
supsip
on Aug 27, 2009

Calgary artist Kris Demeanor has fantastic banter and his name is a pun... Words that infringe the mind and pierce the soul (he's a walking misdemeanor). His Canada Goose song is hilarious and everyonce in a while he'll waltz around the room and sing to crowd like a sultry lounge singer. Can't help but crack up.

#19 posted by
AlexOfAnders
on Aug 27, 2009

Will the pun-off be recorded and posted on the blog afterwards? I just worry some work business will cause me to miss it and that would be pun-ishment!

#20 posted by
mattyjames2001
on Aug 27, 2009

haha I recently saw Fred Eaglesmith, and I don't know if I liked his banter or his music more! They were both soooo entertaining. This was like a day or two after MJ passed away so you can imagine what the subject material was focused on for a while.

Anyways, Pink Eyes from Fucked Up is beyond awesome at talking to the crowd. Subjects that I can remember included: vietnamese restaurants here in Regina, Paul McCartney, Bonnaroo, and crack cocaine.

P.S. Fucked Up are so winning the Polaris prize. Just to get that on record.

#21 posted by
flipzoso
on Aug 27, 2009

Has hilarious banter.

#22 posted by
tornadoallie
on Aug 27, 2009

Natural Disaster's one of my favourite songs too!

#23 posted by
MarkInTampa
on Aug 27, 2009

I saw Garnet Rodgers many years ago, and the stories he told, both about his music and about himself, were both funny and poignant.

On the opposite end, I've seen Willy Nelson (I know, not Canadian) in concert a couple times and says NOT ONE WORD to the audience. Just plays one song after another. I don't like that.

I like stories about the songs, or about what inspired the artist to write a song. Some of those can be entertaining, but in the end, they make me feel closer to the artist...make me know him/her better.

#24 posted by
mattyjames2001
on Aug 27, 2009

Bob Dylan and Kanye West: same thing. Not even really a mention of the city they were in

#25 posted by
ceitidh
on Aug 27, 2009

Saw Kathleen Edwards for the first time a few months ago, and her onstage banter made me love her even more-- yes there were funny stories and dry wit, but also moments of poignancy--everything you could ask for.

#26 posted by
KeepingItRiel
on Aug 27, 2009

I was skeptical to someone throwing off my structured day by replacing Grant Lawrence, but you are doing me proud. I am really digging your tune selection, so much so that I decided to wait to take lunch because I'm just so curious as to what else you will play for me.
Oh and I just saw my fave Patrick Watson song come up and love you even more.

All of today has been pretty great actually!

#27 posted by
elizeu
on Aug 27, 2009

This topic reminds me of a concert by The Inhabitants at the Vancouver International Jazz Festival this year.

JP Carter jokes helped connecting with a crowd (which I think was not really prepared to see an experimental jazz band in that hot afternoon in the park).

It was a great concert!

#28 posted by
Tariq Hussain
on Aug 27, 2009

Yeah, we'll record it and post the conversation/ pun off with Dan...just for you!

#29 posted by
ChrisOttawa
on Aug 27, 2009

I enjoy stage banter, but don't try and start to impress me with your jokes and one liners, I'm here for the music man.
For example, Mother Mother is absolutely incredible as a live act, but Ryan Guldemond usually makes my eyes roll. His banter tends to be an ongoing selection of new words he's discovered in his thesaurus.

#30 posted by
MarkInTampa
on Aug 27, 2009

As if anyone would want to listen to Dylan just "sing" with that voice. Ugh.

#31 posted by
mattyjames2001
on Aug 27, 2009

Hey be nice! I love that voice. Even though Bob had no idea where he was, I enjoyed every minute of it

#32 posted by
whethergirl
on Aug 27, 2009

Can you ask Dan if there's any way I can sneak into his CD release party on Saturday night? It's sold out and I want to go!

Can't wait for the puns!

#33 posted by
tb3
on Aug 27, 2009

Rufus especially as his between song is almost better than the songs. Which says a lot because his songs are pretty great.

I also find the Barber kids to be very funny between song. Funny and vulnerable.

Is there a law that says if one sibling is good the other has to be too?

#34 posted by
MarkInTampa
on Aug 27, 2009

I'm not a Dylan fan. His contributions to music are incalculable. But I can't stand to hear him perform his own songs. And at least here on our community radio station in Tampa, he is overplayed. I'd rather listen to a cat in heat.

#35 posted by
mattyjames2001
on Aug 27, 2009

Your in luck then, there's going to be a christmas album released by him in a few months. More songs for you to hate!

#36 posted by
AlexOfAnders
on Aug 27, 2009

At least, looks like I did since the next host break is sandwiched by a couple of Dan's songs.

#37 posted by
tagish156
on Aug 27, 2009

I like Hawksley Workman's banter, he can be quite hilarious sometimes and tells some good stories. When I saw him play in Whitehorse it was just him and Mr. Lonely, piano, guitar, and no drums. He then did an entire air drum solo, it was awesome. Doubley awesome because I'd heard him do the solo to the song at a different concert and he was right on.

#38 posted by
Craig Norris
on Aug 27, 2009

Should be entertaining.

Plain and simple.

#39 posted by
frusic
on Aug 27, 2009

Oh man. Fred is FUNNY! I saw him at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival, and I swore I could have listened to him all day. At the workshops he was poking fun at everything from the festies to the performers on stage with him.

One thing though - if you only have an hour and a half to play, and there are 4 other artists sharing the same stage as you....don't spend 40 minutes telling jokes. That got kind of annoying :\

#40 posted by
MarkInTampa
on Aug 27, 2009

Oh dear god...

Someone else I saw that tells GREAT stories in between songs is folk singer Cheryl Wheeler.

I saw Fred Eaglesmith here several years ago, but he was not "in form" and didn't really click with the crowd (despite there being a lot of Fred Heads in the audience). But I got to meet him in person, which was pretty cool.

#41 posted by
suckamc
on Aug 27, 2009

I'm glad you're posting it, I'm probably going to miss it, and I loves me some puns!

Martin

#42 posted by
binsy
on Aug 27, 2009

I saw Hayden commit the embarrassing faux pas of telling the same anecdote on two different occasions in Victoria (the punched in the ear story). Then I saw him tell it again in Winnipeg!

I guess if you have a 'bit' that works you go with it and it must be hard to keep track of what story you have told where, but still, it felt a bit cheap.

#43 posted by
kn0ttyn3rb
on Aug 27, 2009

this song is so darn catchy

looking forward to the turbopuns :)

#44 posted by
SuburbanBlues
on Aug 27, 2009

That's happened to me too, it was story about a couple making love to one of Hayden's songs during at a folk festival. I was telling this story to one my friends and they already knew it seeing him at a different venue.

I mean its a funny story, but it kind of lost that specialness, like when you have good audience rapport and it starts to have that intimate one-time only feel.

#45 posted by
kn0ttyn3rb
on Aug 27, 2009

these puns are criminal.

#46 posted by
MarkInTampa
on Aug 27, 2009

Puns are the lowest form of humor, and these...oy. The bottom of the barrel.

It's a tie for last place for both of them!

#47 posted by
cinnie23
on Aug 27, 2009

Awesome. First round definitely goes to Dan!

#48 posted by
nephewdanfan
on Aug 27, 2009

Dan Wins!

#49 posted by
tb3
on Aug 27, 2009

Wow, I was gonna say Mangan

untll Safarinalysis…
Ouch.

#50 posted by
katpower
on Aug 27, 2009

It really depends. Josh Ritter has fabulous stage banter. He has a great feel for the audience, I was never really bored.

But other artists, like Jason Collett... well, it made me really dislike him. So much, that I have trouble listening to him anymore. So, its an art for sure.

#51 posted by
binsy
on Aug 27, 2009

Exactly!

Canada is too small to get away with it too.

#52 posted by
Lindsay902
on Aug 27, 2009

The delivery, the quality - tip notch!

#53 posted by
kn0ttyn3rb
on Aug 27, 2009

Dan Mangan with the ovum joke hands down

#54 posted by
vonchuckles
on Aug 27, 2009

Impressive!
But no one wins in a pun competition...

#55 posted by
AlexOfAnders
on Aug 27, 2009

Round 1: I just gotta give that one to Dan
Round 2: Tariq wins that hands down, the feather ruffling clinched almost from the start although that ova pun from Dan was awesome

#56 posted by
kn0ttyn3rb
on Aug 27, 2009

Tariq wins

#57 posted by
Lindsay902
on Aug 27, 2009

We ALL win in a pun competition.

#58 posted by
suckamc
on Aug 27, 2009

Ha, was able to listen.

Round 1: Dan Mangan
Round 2: Tariq (Pool-eh?)
Round 3: Tariq!

Overall Vote, with a strong last couple rounds:

Tariq!

Martin

#59 posted by
radarmerchgirl
on Aug 27, 2009

Jur- a - sic man gets my vote

#60 posted by
dan murphy
on Aug 27, 2009

Dan as a punster you make an excellent singer.
Tarak keep your day job.

#61 posted by
AlexOfAnders
on Aug 27, 2009

Damn, Tariq was on fire for that last one. You really are tonnes of puns!

#62 posted by
KeepingItRiel
on Aug 27, 2009

Zoo Puns: Dan Mangan with the wallaby pun
Chickens and Dinosaurs: Tariq with Jurassick man!
Tiebreaker: Michael Jackson Murdered Puns: Tariq killed.

Dan, so stoked you are coming to the Habitat in Kelowna. I'm missing a wedding in Saskatchewan for your show.

#63 posted by
whethergirl
on Aug 27, 2009

The jurassic and ova puns were the best.

#64 posted by
SuburbanBlues
on Aug 27, 2009

He totally killed those last two rounds, good use of song titles. But Dan should get special honours for that wallaby pun.

#65 posted by
mattyjames2001
on Aug 27, 2009

I feel I can say this because I love the Deep Dark Woods so much, but I've seen amps that have more enthusiasm than Ryan does on stage....

#66 posted by
boders
on Dec 16, 2009

one of my favourite songs of the past year forsure

#67 posted by
loghrin
on Dec 17, 2009

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