Up and coming comedian has found success on the circuit by uniting vegan comedians for his compilation show Viva Las Vegans. However, his first solo tour, Here Comes Your Man, is about falling in love, romance and awkward sex. We talk to him about what would be on his Valentine's playlist, how to book a tour after Edinburgh Fringe and what to get a vegan for Valentine's Day.
Take your lover out for a KFC vegan burger
BB: Tell us about your show, Here Comes Your Man.
MH: Here Comes Your Man is my debut stand-up comedy hour about the last year in my love life. It’s a storytelling show talking about the first time I fell in (and out) love, and the subsequent the highs and lows from that experience. It’s a personable, relatable show from an endearingly intense man. Ultimately, it’s a positive show about growth and finding yourself through adversity.
BB: What advice would you give to someone looking to tour their show after Edinburgh?
MH: One of the biggest things I struggled with the tour is to remember the full show. It really stressed me out. So refresh your material every so often, just so that you remember how to perform each joke. You will naturally remember it onstage, but make sure you do your prep!
I would also recommend looking at timing to book the tour. I am also writing my new show, and have several previews whilst the tour is undergoing - don’t do that. My head is full of content and its unnecessary stress, so plan your time better than I did.
My final, and most significant piece of advice, is that you should just do it. I am far from famous and haven’t got an agent. But I do have fans (and many wonderful people who take a risk on me), so just set-up your own tour. I love the punk/DIY vibe of my tour and it adds an extra element to each of the shows. I think people can see how much I care for the show, and it pays off. So don’t be afraid to do it! There is literally no one stopping you.
BB: would be on your Valentine’s playlist?
MH: WHAT. A. QUESTION. In my show, I extensively talk about a playlist I made for my love interest and I was tempted to make you a bespoke playlist, but instead, I’ll just give you my top 7 Valentine’s songs!
Neko Case – This Tornado Loves You
Van Morrison – Into The Mystic
Queen - Somebody To Love
Laura Veirs – July Flame
Chris Farren – Human Being
Jeff Rosenstock – 9/10
The Beatles – Golden Slumber/Carry That Weight/ The End
(Also listen to the entirety of Jeff Rosenstock’s WORRY. album!)
BB: You’re well known for having hosted Viva Las Vegans. If a box of Dairy Milk is out the window as a gift on Valentine’s Day for vegans, what would you recommend instead?
MH: Just take your lover out for a KFC vegan burger or a Greggs vegan steak bake. Who says romance is dead? Joking aside, a box of vegan chocolates would always go down a treat. Vegan sweets are always a sure way to win me over. Failing that, LUSH products are a nice touch if you don’t have a sweet tooth.
BB: What’s your advice for anyone single this Valentine’s Day?
MH: Valentine's Day doesn't matter. I understand if you are feeling upset (this time last year, I wrote a song called Flowers Die (Like Your Love For Me) because a girl dumped me a week before). You are wonderful and perfect that way you are. If you don’t feel that way, you can do some small things to change your life and feel happier in your day-to-day life. I was so lonely for the majority of my adult life; I yearned achingly for companionship. In the last year, however, I learned to love myself and really enjoy my own company and that has led me to more fulfilment and happiness that I can never have imagined. It always gets better.
Who makes you laugh?
So many people! The people I could watch easily day-in, day-out are: Pappy’s (their weekly podcast is exquisite), Bec Hill, Carl Donnelly, Chris Stokes, Laura Lexx, Josh Pugh, Alice Fraser, Joz Norris, Michael Legge, Mark Thomas and Richard Herring. There are too many people to list though!
What are you working on next?
I’m working on a new podcast called CASTIVAL, which I ask a selection of top acts to pitch their dream music festival line-up. It’s a music appreciation podcast, with festival anecdotes and a sentimental look at the music we love. Our first live date is on 31st May at Camden Comedy Club.
I am also currently working on my second Edinburgh Fringe hour: Hossanova. It’s a show about modern morality, crude environmentalism and tests whether you can be happy in a burning world. I’m going to previewing the show madly from April onwards and be at the Edinburgh Fringe for the month.
Matt Hoss is currently touring the UK and brings his show to Brighton on 23rd February at the Caroline of Brunswick.
