Benutzerin:Quod-erat-demonstrandum./Artikelwerkstatt/Reggie Watts

Watts im Oktober 2011 (PopTech Konferenz)

Reginald Lucien Frank Roger „Reggie“ Watts (* 23. März 1972 in Stuttgart, BRD) ist ein US-amerikanischer Komiker und Musiker. Für seine improvisierten Musik-Sets nutzt er ausschließlich seine Stimme (Gesang, Beatboxing), ein Keyboard und eine Looping Machine. Watts bezeichnet sich selbst als einen „disinformationist“ (etwa Täuscher, siehe Desinformation), dessen Ziel darin besteht, das Publikum oft auf komödiantische Art und Weise zu desorientieren. Neben diesen Solo-Auftritten erlangte er internationale Bekanntheit als Frontmusiker (Bandleader) der Hausband „Karen“ der Late Late Show von und mit James Corden. Daneben arbeitete er neben zahlreichen Bands auch mit Wayne Horvitz und Michael Winslow zusammen. Musikalisch bewegt sich Watts hauptsächlich in den Genres Trip hop, Soul, Musical-Komödie, alternative (musikalische) Comedy, Dada und Elektro, war aber in seinen unterschiedlichen Bandkonstellationen auch schon in zahlreichen anderen Genres zu hören.

Kindheit und Ausbildung

Reggie Watts wurde am 23. März 1972 als Soldatenkind im baden-württembergischen Stuttgart geboren. Er ist das einzige Kind einer Französin (Christiane Watts) und eines Afroamerikaners (Charles Alphonso Watts). Charles Watts war als Offizier der United States Air Force mit seiner Familie erst in Deutschland und später in Spanien stationiert, bevor sie gemeinsam in die Vereinigten Staaten zurückkehrten und sich in Great Falls (Montana) niederließen. Dort wuchs Reggie Watts auf und schloss 1990 an der Great Falls High School seine schulische Laufbahn ab. In dieser Zeit (im Alter von fünf bis 16 Jahren) nahm er bereits Klavier- und Geigenunterricht und sagte später von sich, seine Liebe für die Musik habe in jungen Jahren begonnen, als er Ray Charles im Fernsehen Klavier spielen sah.

Mit 18 Jahren zog Watts für ein Musikstudium nach Seattle (Washington). Dort besuchte er kurzzeitig das Art Institute of Seattle und wechselte dann ins Jazz-Fach am Cornish College of the Arts. Während seiner Studienzeit in Seattle war Watts Mitglied mehrerer Bands und bewegte sich in einer Vielzahl unterschiedlicher Genres. In diese Zeit fiel auch eine Arbeitsperiode mit Wayne Horvitz.

Karriere

Anfänge (1996–2009)

Watts im März 2013

1996 wurde Watts Frontmann der Soul-, Rock-, und Hip-Hop-Band Maktub.

While recording and touring circa 1996–2000 with Wayne Horvitz 4+1 Ensemble as a keyboardist, Watts was forced to downsize his effects pedal from a Roland Space Echo tape delay to a Line 6 DL4 delay modeler, a smaller device that makes it easy to travel. He began using the Line 6 in live shows with Maktub, in order to replicate the duplicate harmonies from the recorded material. Then, he experimented with improvising entire songs in solo acts with the Line 6, while trying to sound like Tom Waits, playing initial gigs at small Seattle venues and artist bungalows. While in Seattle, Watts composed musical scores for Northwest dance choreographers and he dabbled in sketch comedy with future theatrical collaborator Tommy Smith.

In 2004, after recording five albums over eight years, Watts moved to the Lower East Side, New York City. In 2005, he recorded his first solo single, "So Beautiful". Inspired by The State and Wet Hot American Summer, he began infusing spontaneous comedic material with the beat-box-driven musical compositions. He shot comedic web shorts for Superdeluxe, Vimeo and CollegeHumor.

In 2006, Watts started to branch out into performing for television and film, while continuing to pursue live performance and the creation of new performance technologies. Vorlage:Citation needed

In 2007, Watts appeared on Plum TV's "Scott Bateman Presents Scott Bateman Presents" and starred in the CollegeHumor internet video "What About Blowjobs?" The video became a viral hit.Vorlage:Citation needed The same year, he also wrote and performed the theme song for Penelope Princess of Pets, a web comedy series featuring Kristen Schaal and H. Jon Benjamin.

In 2008, Watts recorded a new special entitled "Disinformation", which features his performance at the Under the Radar Festival at the Public Theater. He also appeared in the independent film "Steel of Fire Warriors 2010 A.D." as a Mutantzoid Underling and on an episode of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, as well as making other various television appearances.

In 2009, Watts recorded his first solo EP, Pot Cookies. He also began appearing on the PBS Kids' children's program, "The Electric Company". Watts performed in his first solo short film "Watts Does London" and made a small appearance on Comedy Central's Michael and Michael Have Issues. He then did voice work for an episode of Adult Swim's The Venture Bros. as "The Delivery Guy", Australia's "Good News Week", and appeared in the US documentary The Yes Men Fix the World. Watts also toured in direct support of Devo in a fall 2009 tour which featured that band's albums Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! and Freedom of Choice played in full.

Why Shit So Crazy? (2010–2011)

In 2010, Waverly Films shot a one-hour special on Watts called Why Shit So Crazy? The special features Watts in live performance at New York venues Galapagos, The Bellhouse, and (Le) Poisson Rouge, bookended with brief sketches and a music video of Watts' "Fuck Shit Stack". Comedy Central aired Why Shit So Crazy? and released the film as a dual DVD/CD package. Afterwards, Watts made various public appearances, including in Conan O'Brien's The Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour.

A Live in Central Park (2012)

Watts's second stand-up special, Reggie Watts: A "Live" in Central Park, premiered on May 12, 2012 on Comedy Central in the "Secret Stash" completely uncensored to positive reviews.

The film was made available as a CD/DVD through Watts' official website as well as Comedy Central's online store.

Soon afterwards, Watts performed a song with LCD Soundsystem on their farewell documentary movie, Shut Up and Play the Hits.

Comedy Bang! Bang! (2012–2015)

In 2012, Watts began starring opposite Scott Aukerman on the IFC series Comedy Bang! Bang!, based on the comedy podcast of the same name (formerly Comedy Death-Ray Radio).

Also in 2012, Watts began collaborating with Michael Cera, Tim & Eric, and Sarah Silverman to create their comedy YouTube channel known as Jash.

In 2013, On The Boards recorded a new Watts special entitled Transition, which played at various arts festivals including the Under the Radar Festival at The Public Theater; it was winner of the MAP Fund Award and Creative Capital award. It is available on iTunes via TenduTV.

Watts was invited to perform at Yoko Ono's Meltdown 2013 on the South Bank in London where he was supported by Mac Lethal.

In 2014, Watts contributed the outro vocal on "Holy City" and beatbox on "The Classic" from the Joan As Police Woman album The Classic. He also appeared as the last act in the season 4 premiere of John Oliver's New York Stand-Up Show where he told some jokes and performed a song, hugging John Oliver at the end.

In December 2014, following CBS's announcement that Watts would lead The Late Late Show band, Aukerman announced that Watts would remain with Comedy Bang! Bang! through only the first half of 2015. Watts' final episode of Comedy Bang! Bang! was on June 5, 2015.

The Late Late Show with James Corden und Spatial (seit 2015)

Watts currently serves as the bandleader and announcer for The Late Late Show with James Corden. He has described his role on the show as "... a mix of Paul Shaffer and Andy Richter." His band on the show is unofficially named "Karen". Watts has a slot on the show to ask a guest a question about anything (called Reggie's Question on show clips). The questions are a continuation of his time on Comedy Bang! Bang!, and follow his preference for surreal comedy in his stand-up act.

On December 6, 2016, Watts' Netflix special 'Spatial' was released.

Darbietungsstil

Watts's solo shows are completely improvised and consist of him singing and rapping both with words and with sound poetry, accompanying himself by either beatboxing, performing vocal basslines into a loop machine, or simply by playing the keyboard. His act also showcases his trademark style of standup comedy, consisting of him rapidly alternating between topics of discussion in both rational and nonsensical manners, making random sounds and noises, and speaking in other accents, languages, and gibberish at unexpected times, all with the intent of playfully and comically disorienting his audiences. He has a four and a half octave vocal range, and adopts a wide variety of voices and accents.

Ehrungen und Auszeichnungen

Watts is the winner of the 2005 Malcolm Hardee "Oy Oy" Award, the 2006 Andy Kaufman Comedy Award, and the 2006 Seattle Mayor's Arts Award. He was also awarded the 2008 MAP Fund and the 2009 Creative Capitol Grant for the performing arts, and won the 2009 ECNY Award for Best Musical Comedy Act.

Filmografie

Filme

• 2008: Steel of Fire Warriors 2010 A.D.
• 2009: The Yes Men Fix the World (Auftritt als er selbst)
• 2009: Reggie Watts Does London
• 2010: Why Shit So Crazy? (Auftritt als er selbst)
• 2011: Conan O'Brien Can't Stop (Cameo-Auftritt als er selbst)
• 2012: Tell Your Friends! The Concert Film (Auftritt als er selbst)
• 2012: Shut Up and Play the Hits (Auftritt als er selbst)
• 2012: A Live at Central Park (Auftritt als er selbst)
• 2013: Transition (Auftritt als er selbst)
• 2015: Pitch Perfect 2 (2015) as Tone Hanger Singer and Beatboxer
• 2015: Creative Control (Auftritt als er selbst)
• 2016: My Entire High School Sinking Into the Sea (2016) as Assaf
• 2016: Spatial (Auftritt als er selbst)
• 2016: Keep in Touch
• 2018: Duck Duck Goose (Synchronstimme von Carl)
• 20??: Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (Synchronstimme)
• 2020: The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run (Synchronstimme von Poseidon)

Fernsehsendungen

• 2007: Scott Batemen Presents Scott Batemen Presents (Auftritt als er selbst)
• 2007: Saving Steve Agee (Auftritt als er selbst)
• 2008: Superjail!
• 2009: Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (Auftritt als er selbst)
• 2009: Made Here (Auftritt als er selbst)
• 2009: The Ha!ifax Comedy Fest (Auftritt als er selbst)
• 2009: The Venture Bros.
• 2009–2011: The Electric Company
• 2010: The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien (Auftritt als er selbst)
• 2010: Good News Week (Auftritt als er selbst)
• 2010: Team Coco Presents the Conan Writers Live (Auftritt als er selbst)
• 2011: Conan O'Brien Can't Stop
• 2011: Cracker Night (Auftritt als er selbst)
• 2011: Mash Up
• 2011: Talk Stoop (Auftritt als er selbst)
• 2011: Funny As Hell (Auftritt als er selbst)
• 2011: Doctor Who: The Best-of Specials (Moderator)
• 2011: The Green Room with Paul Provenza (Auftritt als er selbst)
• 2012: Delocated (Auftritt als er selbst)
• 2012: Russell Howard's Good News (Auftritt als er selbst)
• 2012: The Top 100 Video Games of All Time (Auftritt als er selbst)
• 2012: 7 Minutes in Heaven (Auftritt als er selbst)
• 2012: Stand Down: True Tales from Stand-Up Comedy (Auftritt als er selbst)
• 2012: Mash Up (Auftritt als er selbst)
• 2012: The Secret Policeman's Ball (Auftritt als er selbst)
• 2013: Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell (Auftritt als er selbst)
• 2013: Jimmy Kimmel Live!
• 2013: Reggie Makes Music
• 2013: YouTube Music Awards (Moderator)
• 2013: America's Next Top Model (Auftritt als er selbst)
• 2012–2016: Comedy Bang! Bang! (Auftritt als er selbst)
• 2014: Inside Amy Schumer
• seit 2015: The Late Late Show with James Corden (Auftritt als er selbst)
• 2018: Taskmaster (als Taskmaster/Moderator)
• 2019: Tuca & Bertie (Synchronstimme von Pastry Pete)

Internet-Videos

• 2007: CollegeHumor – „What About Blowjobs?“
• 2008: Disinformation
• 2009: bd – „I Just Want To“
• 2010: „Fuck Shit Stack“
• 2011: Pop!Tech – „Reggie Watts: Humor In Music“
• 2011: Pop!Tech – „Reggie Watts: A Send-Off In Style“
• 2012: Funny or Die – „Reggie Watts Live“
• 2012: TED – „Reggie Watts Disorients You in the Most Entertaining Way“
• 2012: „Reggie Watts Is Skrillex“
• seit 2013: Jash (diverse Videos)
• 2014: „Ian Up For Whatever“ – Bud Light Super Bowl XLVIII Werbung
• 2018: Good Mythical Morning – „Which Musician Am I?“

Musikvideos

• 2016: „Stop Desire“ von Tegan and Sara
• 2019: „Ask Yourself“ von Panther Modern

Diskografie

Solo-Alben

• 2003: Simplified
• 2010: Why Shit So Crazy?
• 2011: Live at Third Man – 12" Vinyl
• 2012: A Live at Central Park
• 2016: Spatial

Solo-Singles

• 2005: „So Beautiful“
• 2014: „Get Ready“

Collab-Alben

Maktub

• 1999: Subtle Ways
• 2003: Khronos
• 2005: Say What You Mean
• 2007: Start It Over
• 2009: Five

4 + 1 Ensemble

• 1996: 4+1 Ensemble (Intuition)
• 2000: From a Window (Avant)

Wajatta

• 2018: Casual High Technology (Comedy Dynamics)
• 2020: Don’t Let Get You Down (Brainfeeder)

Collab-Songs

• 2004: „Closer“ – Brent Laurence feat. Reggie Watts
• 2012: „Dance Anthem of the 80’s“ – Regina Spektor
• 2012: „Spaghetti Circus“ – Still Going feat. Reggie Watts
• 2013: „Drunk Texts to Myself“ – Trevor Moore feat. Reggie Watts
• 2013: „We Got A Love“ – Shit Robot feat. Reggie Watts
• 2014: „MFN“ / „Housekeeping“ – Cibo Matto; Hotel Valentine
• 2014: „Holy City“ / „The Classic“ – Joan as Police Woman
• 2014: „Sunshine“ – Flight Facilities
• 2017: „There Should Be Unicorns“ – Oczy Mlody; The Flaming Lips
• 2018: „Captain Crunch“ – Czarface Meets Metal Face; Czarface; MF Doom
• 2018: „Stranded“ – Flight Facilities

Weblinks

• Watts’ offizielle Website
• Quod-erat-demonstrandum./Artikelwerkstatt/Reggie Watts bei IMDb
• Official „Fuck Shit Stack“ video
• Official „What About Blowjobs?“ video
• Live performance (June 2012) for NPR
• ReggieWatts/TommySmith Theatre
• Reggie Watts – „A Live at Central Park“

Einzelnachweise

Kategorie:Geboren 1972 Kategorie:Klangkünstler Kategorie:Keyboarder Kategorie:Singer-Songwriter Kategorie:Rapper Kategorie:Bandleader Kategorie:Komiker Kategorie:Entertainer Kategorie:Afroamerikanische Kultur Kategorie:US-Amerikaner Kategorie:Mann