The Sweetness with Dave Maher

The Sweetness, Episode 22 with Annie Donley: Show Notes

Annie and I dig deep into relationships (especially within creative scenes) in this awesome episode of The Sweetness! For you:

Themes: Ornette Coleman - “Lonely Woman” (The Shape of Jazz to Come)

Charles Mingus - “Better Git It in Your Soul” (Ah Um)

Music: Drake - “Started From the Bottom” (“Started From the Bottom” single), Chance the Rapper - “Good Ass Intro (ft. BJ The Chicago Kid, Lili K., Kiara Lanier, Peter Cottontale, Will for the O’mys & JP Floydd for Kids These Days)” (Acid Rap)

The Sweetness, Episode 21 with Daniel Strauss, Part 2: Show Notes

This might be the most action-packed hour of the podcast ever! Daniel and I continue our conversation about comedy in Chicago as it veers into comparisons to wrestling. Plus, we cover the advice Daniel got that gives these episodes their name, and I read a poem and offer some conspiratorial support for brothers and sisters in the struggle!

Themes: Ornette Coleman - “Lonely Woman” (The Shape of Jazz to Come)

Charles Mingus - “Better Git It in Your Soul” (Ah Um)

Music: SBTRKT - “Trials of the Past (feat. Sampha)” (SBTRKT), Outkast - “Roses” (The Love Below), UGK - “One Day” (Ridin’ Dirty)

References: Dean Young - “Upon Hearing of My Friend’s Marriage Breaking Up, I Envision Attack From Outer Space” (Strike Anywhere)

The Sweetness, Episode 21 with Daniel Strauss, Part 1: Show Notes

Daniel Strauss got bits for days! We joke around about Kickstarter and pop music like the old friends we are in the midst of a conversation about developing your voice, overcoming jealousy, and the way working for Second City has shaped him and his relationship to the Chicago comedy community. Part 2 of this interview will go up later this week, so stay tuned here or subscribe in iTunes (search “dave maher sweetness”)!

Themes: Ornette Coleman - “Lonely Woman” (The Shape of Jazz to Come)

Charles Mingus - “Better Git It in Your Soul” (Ah Um)

Music: Nas & Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley - “Patience” (Distant Relatives)

Check out this INCREDIBLY DUMB bonus episode of The Sweetness in which Daniel Strauss tells me about his superfans. This ridiculous 3-minute interview/bit might be the apex of my Chicago comedy career, and I’m surprisingly okay with that!

The Sweetness, Episode 20 with Gary Richardson: Show Notes

Gary Richardson is one of my youngest (in age) and oldest (in length) friends in improv, and I attempt to dissect and possess his confidence in this episode of the podcast. Gary had a lot of cool stuff to say about inspiration, bucking tradition to follow your own inner voice, and the duality of artistry vs. craftsmanship. Basically, the kind of stuff that’s right up The Sweetness’ alley. Enjoy!

Themes: Ornette Coleman - “Lonely Woman” (The Shape of Jazz to Come)

Charles Mingus - “Better Git It in Your Soul” (Ah Um)

Music: Ne-Yo - “Single” (Year of the Gentleman), Grimes - “Genesis” (Visions), The-Dream - “Luv Songs” (Love/Hate), Ke$ha - “We R Who We R” (Cannibal)

The Sweetness, Episode 19 with Drew Dir: Show Notes

I catch up with my University of Chicago improv buddy Drew Dir and trace his journey from improv comedy with Off-Off Campus to grad school in London for Performance Studies to dramaturging for Court Theatre to shadow puppetry with his company Manual Cinema. We delve deep into creativity vs. criticism, our relationships to our alma mater, and PUPPETS. This dude smart and cool as hell! Check it.

Themes: Ornette Coleman - “Lonely Woman” (The Shape of Jazz to Come)

Charles Mingus - “Better Git It in Your Soul” (Ah Um)

Music: Billy Bragg - “Greetings to the New Brunette” (Talking With the Taxman About Poetry), A.Dd+ - “The Rapper & The Poet” (When Pigs Fly), Built to Spill - “Carry the Zero” (Keep It Like a Secret)

References: Manual Cinema