Last night, The Indy Tribune (TIT) caught up with comedian, singer-songwriter and all-round entertainer Kevin J. Thornton, who has been busy touring the country with his stand-up show I Love You (We're Fucked) throughout 2011. This week, Kevin hits Bloomington, before returning for a gig in Indianapolis on November 5th!
TIT: Welcome Kevin; glad you were able to find the time to sit down with us in between shows. How is the tour going?
KJT: I'm so ready for this year to be over; my ass is so worn out! (Laughs). It's been an amazing year for me, but I started this tour in January and my last show is November 17th. I literally have not stopped in 10 months!
TIT: Yes, I saw from your website that you've been a busy bee. I was lucky enough to see your hit show I Love You (We’re Fucked) at this year’s IndyFringe Festival. I get the feeling you rather like Fringe theatre, am I right?
KJT: I do love it. I did 10 fringe fests this year. It's kind of a dream come true for me; it allows me to go to a town where I might not really have a following yet and draw on an existing crowd. And thanks for saying my show was a "hit". Please keep up that sort of language.
TIT: It was five-star brilliance! I was sitting on the front row at ComedySportz. Now, your act doesn’t just consist of stand-up comedy, does it?
KJT: No, sir. It's truly a hybrid of concert, stand-up and storytelling. Although, I want to find a different word besides "storytelling", because I think, for some, that sounds like a librarian with a sock puppet or something.
TIT: Yes, and I wouldn't quite say you fit such a description. Now, in I Love You (We’re Fucked) you opened up about your childhood - growing up gay in conservative southern Indiana. How do you think this has effected your world view and what lasting effect did it have on Kevin J Thornton the performer?
KJT: Well, I think first and foremost it taught me not to give a fuck. But that was no easy lesson to learn. It took many years. But now that's pretty instilled in me. I think for some, that lesson might translate into bitterness (which a lot of comics embody) but for me I think it translated into bravery. And hopefully hilarity.
TIT: I certainly drew both of those characteristics from your show.
KJT: My hit show?
TIT: Sorry, yes. Your mesmerizingly dazzling wonder of a hit show!
KJT: Right.
TIT: Now earlier this year, the state of Indiana passed legislation banning same-sex marriages: will Indiana ever emerge from the Victorian age?
KJT: Oh yeah, for sure. But there's going to be this tipping point; the more conservative states will hold out until the bitter end, then there will be a landslide - pretty much like every other social issue.
TIT: So kind of like a Civil Rights Movement for the 21st century?
KJT: Hell, I don't know really. I'd like to think so, but sometimes my faith in humanity is really thin. I'm really afraid that in 2012 we are going to go into a really intense phase of neoconservatism as the sea of hillbillies lash out against the Obama administration.
TIT: If so, I'm moving home to England! I've already reserved the flights. Now, let’s talk a little more about your tour. You have a show this Thursday at Rachael’s Cafe in Bloomington, IN. Where do we sign up?
KJT: Yes, yes! Well, there are tickets available online on my website, but at the door is fine too.
TIT: Excellent! And how can people keep up-to-date with all your upcoming soon-to-be hit shows?
KJT: I'm a social media whore. Actually, I just gave a lecture on social media at Berkley in San Fransisco! But my website is a good place to start - http://www.kevinjthornton.com.
TIT: How about an exclusive “blood story” for our readers?
KJT: (Laughs). That's always the part everyone remembers (from my shows). On a couple of occasions, I've had complete strangers sing the theme song to me on the street. Would it be a mistake to do that section at Rachael's Cafe if people are eating? (Laughs).
TIT: Depends on the story, I guess. And the food.
KJT: Right, right... I'll have to stay really tuned in.
TIT: Okay, well I understand if you want to save your "blood stories" for the show. Final question: do you have any questions for us?
KJT: Yes, yes I do: I've been sleep walking lately. Why do you think that is?
TIT: Hmm, let me just consult Wikipedia... it says here that Kevin J Thornton has been such a hit on the comedy circuit that he has forgotten to hit something else... the sack! Other reports suggest that he might be a Zombie!
KJT: That's probably the truth, except for the zombie part.
TIT: And on that note, Kevin, you are free to leave.
KJT: Great! Thanks!
KJT: I'm so ready for this year to be over; my ass is so worn out! (Laughs). It's been an amazing year for me, but I started this tour in January and my last show is November 17th. I literally have not stopped in 10 months!
TIT: Yes, I saw from your website that you've been a busy bee. I was lucky enough to see your hit show I Love You (We’re Fucked) at this year’s IndyFringe Festival. I get the feeling you rather like Fringe theatre, am I right?
KJT: I do love it. I did 10 fringe fests this year. It's kind of a dream come true for me; it allows me to go to a town where I might not really have a following yet and draw on an existing crowd. And thanks for saying my show was a "hit". Please keep up that sort of language.
TIT: It was five-star brilliance! I was sitting on the front row at ComedySportz. Now, your act doesn’t just consist of stand-up comedy, does it?
KJT: No, sir. It's truly a hybrid of concert, stand-up and storytelling. Although, I want to find a different word besides "storytelling", because I think, for some, that sounds like a librarian with a sock puppet or something.
TIT: Yes, and I wouldn't quite say you fit such a description. Now, in I Love You (We’re Fucked) you opened up about your childhood - growing up gay in conservative southern Indiana. How do you think this has effected your world view and what lasting effect did it have on Kevin J Thornton the performer?
KJT: Well, I think first and foremost it taught me not to give a fuck. But that was no easy lesson to learn. It took many years. But now that's pretty instilled in me. I think for some, that lesson might translate into bitterness (which a lot of comics embody) but for me I think it translated into bravery. And hopefully hilarity.
TIT: I certainly drew both of those characteristics from your show.
KJT: My hit show?
TIT: Sorry, yes. Your mesmerizingly dazzling wonder of a hit show!
KJT: Right.
TIT: Now earlier this year, the state of Indiana passed legislation banning same-sex marriages: will Indiana ever emerge from the Victorian age?
KJT: Oh yeah, for sure. But there's going to be this tipping point; the more conservative states will hold out until the bitter end, then there will be a landslide - pretty much like every other social issue.
TIT: So kind of like a Civil Rights Movement for the 21st century?
KJT: Hell, I don't know really. I'd like to think so, but sometimes my faith in humanity is really thin. I'm really afraid that in 2012 we are going to go into a really intense phase of neoconservatism as the sea of hillbillies lash out against the Obama administration.
TIT: If so, I'm moving home to England! I've already reserved the flights. Now, let’s talk a little more about your tour. You have a show this Thursday at Rachael’s Cafe in Bloomington, IN. Where do we sign up?
KJT: Yes, yes! Well, there are tickets available online on my website, but at the door is fine too.
TIT: Excellent! And how can people keep up-to-date with all your upcoming soon-to-be hit shows?
KJT: I'm a social media whore. Actually, I just gave a lecture on social media at Berkley in San Fransisco! But my website is a good place to start - http://www.kevinjthornton.com.
TIT: How about an exclusive “blood story” for our readers?
KJT: (Laughs). That's always the part everyone remembers (from my shows). On a couple of occasions, I've had complete strangers sing the theme song to me on the street. Would it be a mistake to do that section at Rachael's Cafe if people are eating? (Laughs).
TIT: Depends on the story, I guess. And the food.
KJT: Right, right... I'll have to stay really tuned in.
TIT: Okay, well I understand if you want to save your "blood stories" for the show. Final question: do you have any questions for us?
KJT: Yes, yes I do: I've been sleep walking lately. Why do you think that is?
TIT: Hmm, let me just consult Wikipedia... it says here that Kevin J Thornton has been such a hit on the comedy circuit that he has forgotten to hit something else... the sack! Other reports suggest that he might be a Zombie!
KJT: That's probably the truth, except for the zombie part.
TIT: And on that note, Kevin, you are free to leave.
KJT: Great! Thanks!
Image credit: Zoia Wiseman.