Stand-up comedy spotlight: Iceberg
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Published by Sareth Ney on Aug. 1, 2017 at 10:43 a.m.
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Photo credit: Iceberg
Sareth Ney: What inspired you to perform stand-up comedy?
Iceberg: It was definitely to upgrade my girlfriends. In actuality, I moved to Los Angeles in late 2015. My roommate signed up for acting classes. He suggested I go too but it was too expensive. He dared me to try stand-up and on Feb. 20, 2016, I gave it a shot.
What was the feeling like, when you first performed stand-up comedy?
My first open mic was at a sandwich and coffee shop. My roommate arrived at the last minute, before I went up. My palms started to sweat, my skin got dry, I could feel the tension all over and I started to lose confidence in my material. I heard my name called out and I walked up with all the confidence I had left. I have made it a routine to stretch before I go up because it releases the mental doubt. I began to talk and it felt natural. I felt like it was something I had always done. I got half the room laughing and the other half in silence. I think from shock of talking about my fantasy of my mother’s drug cartel, my psycho girlfriend and the mentally ill on the public transit system in Los Angeles. My roommate pointed out that it was a scary, yet funny set. I chose the alias, Iceberg, to fit my style of comedy. I mostly talk about my stories in life, death of my father, gangs in my town, girlfriends and fights.
What are your favorite comedy specials and record albums?
I have never listened to a comedy album before. I enjoy live comedy. I would say Patrice O’Neal’s “Elephant in the Room”.
What are your favorite sketch shows, sitcoms and comedy films?
The quality of sketch show has dropped significantly, since my childhood. Dave Chappelle has by far the best sketch show, in the last decade. “Conan” is still solid and very fluid on what audience they can reach out to. “Half Baked” never gets old. Also, I like Cheech and Chong’s “Up in Smoke” and “Nice Dreams”.
If you could go on tour with any comedian, which one would you choose?
Tracy Morgan! He is my idol. I do relate to his style of honesty and openness. His timing and vocabulary is uncharted and would help me with my style of comedy. In close second, I choose O’Neal. I believe he could have helped my comedy to grow and keep my flavor and zero care of what people may say.
If you could get roasted by five comedians (past or present), which ones would you choose?
I would enjoy a roast made up of all Icebergs from the multiverse. To answer the question: Morgan, O’Neal, George Carlin, Bobby Lee and Bernie Mac.
Which other forms of comedy would you like to venture off into?
I would like to have a podcast interviewing comedians and acting has always had my attention.
What experience would you like for your audience to take with them, after a set is over?
That they heard something real, something that lets them know life can be difficult but it’s that way for everyone. We live in a social media bubble that confines many to sharing deception of the punches from life. When we can share the pain and put away the veils, we can mend and heal the problems we face in life.
Where do you see your comedy career, in the next five years?
Hosting two monthly comedy shows (I have one now), have an established podcast, a comedy special, financially stable from strictly comedy and touring internationally. I would also like to have saved up to open my own comedy bar here in Bakersfield, Calif.
Where can the readers find you online and on social media?
Facebook: www.facebook.com/iceberglife, Instagram: @California_Iceberg, Snapchat: @cali-iceberg, Tumblr: @cali-iceberg, Twitter: @CALI_ICEBERG and email: [email protected]
Editor's note: This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.
Iceberg: It was definitely to upgrade my girlfriends. In actuality, I moved to Los Angeles in late 2015. My roommate signed up for acting classes. He suggested I go too but it was too expensive. He dared me to try stand-up and on Feb. 20, 2016, I gave it a shot.
What was the feeling like, when you first performed stand-up comedy?
My first open mic was at a sandwich and coffee shop. My roommate arrived at the last minute, before I went up. My palms started to sweat, my skin got dry, I could feel the tension all over and I started to lose confidence in my material. I heard my name called out and I walked up with all the confidence I had left. I have made it a routine to stretch before I go up because it releases the mental doubt. I began to talk and it felt natural. I felt like it was something I had always done. I got half the room laughing and the other half in silence. I think from shock of talking about my fantasy of my mother’s drug cartel, my psycho girlfriend and the mentally ill on the public transit system in Los Angeles. My roommate pointed out that it was a scary, yet funny set. I chose the alias, Iceberg, to fit my style of comedy. I mostly talk about my stories in life, death of my father, gangs in my town, girlfriends and fights.
What are your favorite comedy specials and record albums?
I have never listened to a comedy album before. I enjoy live comedy. I would say Patrice O’Neal’s “Elephant in the Room”.
What are your favorite sketch shows, sitcoms and comedy films?
The quality of sketch show has dropped significantly, since my childhood. Dave Chappelle has by far the best sketch show, in the last decade. “Conan” is still solid and very fluid on what audience they can reach out to. “Half Baked” never gets old. Also, I like Cheech and Chong’s “Up in Smoke” and “Nice Dreams”.
If you could go on tour with any comedian, which one would you choose?
Tracy Morgan! He is my idol. I do relate to his style of honesty and openness. His timing and vocabulary is uncharted and would help me with my style of comedy. In close second, I choose O’Neal. I believe he could have helped my comedy to grow and keep my flavor and zero care of what people may say.
If you could get roasted by five comedians (past or present), which ones would you choose?
I would enjoy a roast made up of all Icebergs from the multiverse. To answer the question: Morgan, O’Neal, George Carlin, Bobby Lee and Bernie Mac.
Which other forms of comedy would you like to venture off into?
I would like to have a podcast interviewing comedians and acting has always had my attention.
What experience would you like for your audience to take with them, after a set is over?
That they heard something real, something that lets them know life can be difficult but it’s that way for everyone. We live in a social media bubble that confines many to sharing deception of the punches from life. When we can share the pain and put away the veils, we can mend and heal the problems we face in life.
Where do you see your comedy career, in the next five years?
Hosting two monthly comedy shows (I have one now), have an established podcast, a comedy special, financially stable from strictly comedy and touring internationally. I would also like to have saved up to open my own comedy bar here in Bakersfield, Calif.
Where can the readers find you online and on social media?
Facebook: www.facebook.com/iceberglife, Instagram: @California_Iceberg, Snapchat: @cali-iceberg, Tumblr: @cali-iceberg, Twitter: @CALI_ICEBERG and email: [email protected]
Editor's note: This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sareth Ney is the journalist for A Quarter and Dream Pictures. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communications and Center for New Media from Colorado State University-Pueblo. He is a former apprentice to master of horror, Clive Barker. He is a Wu-Tang Clan inspired superhero, Wu-Man Chu. He is an award-winning short filmmaker; his goal is to write 150 articles in select time zones, inducts every article into his hall of fame, is a stand-up comedian, motivational speaker, founder and co-host of Pueblo's Independent Multimedia Podcast and is the festival director at Sareth-Fest Music and Comedy Festival.
