Tuesday, October 11, 2011

In The Cat Ranch...

If you are familiar with Marc Maron, then you are perhaps aware of his struggles as a comic, jew, romantic, and socializer. He is a comedian (a comics comic). His comedy is raw, personal and edgy, which led him to become a leading figure in the alternative scene in New York during the 90's. 15 years ago, you would not have known who Marc was – but now, he has successfully established a personality in the digital world from his Podcast “WTF with Marc Maron”.

Marc spent most of his life trying to find his “clown” – a catch phrase, look, persona – a sellable product. While unable to reach company standards and “make it” in the“industry”, he watched his friends become successful and fill rooms across the country and abroad. After jumping from job to job/show to show, he finally turned to Air America Media where he became the co-host of the radio shows Morning Sedition and Breakroom Live, which led to his inevitable breaking point once the shows were cancelled.

Thus, the creation of “WTF”

Having worked at the now bankrupt network; he still – somehow – had access to the company's recording studio and, weekly, snuck into the building to record his show and interview comedians with an agenda to address the philosophical question of the day [What the F^(#...?].

Knowing that he couldn't risk getting caught, and for the building would eventually close permanently – Marc moved back to his home in California: bought mics; a computer; adopted a few stray cats, and built a“studio” in his Garage. It, till this very day, is known as the cat ranch – the place where comics, actors, authors, and stars chat with Marc, setting aside the glamor of stardom and getting to the core of human relationships, drug addictions, parent problems, and becoming an adult.

Marc has successfully found an outlet in which he his not censored. Podcasting is a medium that allows you to start from scratch: create your own title; theme song; format/structure and more. He has found success that isn't lavish, a product of men in suits, or mainstream. And, with it's cult following, Marc has maintained integrity and proven that the thin line between success and happiness, in fact, do exist. While some mainstream provoke false expectations for children, teens, minorities and so forth; Marc has proven that there is humility to be sought after, and that finding your “clown” is secondary to what can truly be honest, righteous and raw... you.

“When you actually meet the devil and he offers you a deal most artist eventually negotiate.” - Marc Maron


Entertainment Weekly: http://goo.gl/7ZJem

New York Times Article: http://goo.gl/m7KA4

Marc Marons Website: http://www.wtfpod.com/

Theme For WTF: http://goo.gl/BTF6M


Thank You for reading,

Kwaumane Brown


Longy School of Music
UD in Composition ('12)


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