Comedian Brett Martin will be couch-surfing his way to Invermere for a show at Bud’s Bar & Lounge on Sunday, August 18th for what’s unofficially titled the “My Girlfriend Left Me” tour.
After 14 years in professional comedy, Brett’s seen a lot of Canada. He hails from Winnipeg – which is why he is an ecstatic Jets fans — and has lived in Calgary, Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver,
However, you won’t hear him talk much about hockey during his sets.
“I talk about steroids and stuff, but I try and stay away from sports jokes,” Brett told The Echo.
He said his jokes are mostly based on his observations and popular entertainment, as well as his work and travel experiences.
“I talk about human nature – things that are similar and different wherever you go.”
It’s no surprise that the informal tour title, My Girlfriend Just Left Me, is based on Brett’s relationship status.
“She left me a month ago after eight years,” he explained. “I don’t know where I’m going to live, what I’m going to do, but I do know I’ll just keep doing…”
At least he doesn’t have to worry about his career – Brett’s schedule is close to being fully booked until the new year.
“It’s a good time to be busy – keeps me from crying,” he said with a laugh.
Brett said that because he’s now single, he can be a little more honest about how “crappy” relationships can be.
“I had to hold that back before,” he joked.
Losing his long-term girlfriend has given him new and fresh ideas for comedy, but he’s not going to give a sad and teary-eyed performance,
he said.
Brett used his writing from a Grade 12 journalism class to land himself a job at the Calgary Sun shortly after high school graduation in the late 1990s. After three months, though, he left, saying he “needed a more creative way to say what he wanted
to say.”
Stand-up comedy ended up working out pretty well, he says.
He has a TV special exclusively featuring his stand-up on Comedy Now, and he’s been featured on CTV and the Comedy Network. His jokes can also be heard on XM Radio’s Laff Attack, and he’s worked alongside Russell Peters and Harland Williams.
Sunday’s show will also feature another professional comedian who will kick off the night and Brett says he will be extremely funny.
Tickets cost $10 and the show starts at 8 p.m.