Musical Comedians You Really Should Know
I’m very excited to announce this first partnership with the Cramer Comedy Newsletter and Nashville Briefing. We had a blast going through so many amazing names and putting this list together. If you need great content to watch over the holiday break, this list has got you covered.
Before we dive in, a big shout-out to our sponsor, VEEPS, for being the perfect partner on this issue. They are helping both comedians and musicians around the world spread their art. Let's dive in! - Zak Kuhn (Founder, Nashville Briefing)
CAT COHEN
Catherine Cohen is best known for her hit Netflix comedy special THE TWIST…? SHE’S GORGEOUS. The same live show won her the coveted title of Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Comedy Festival in 2019. Her first book entitled God I Feel Modern Tonight was published in 2021, and features her collection of comedic poetry. Her TV screen credits include FX’s WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS, Comedy Central’s AWKWAFINA IS NORA FROM QUEENS and BROAD CITY, Netflix’s series SPECIAL, HBO’s HIGH MAINTENANCE, and TBS’s SEARCH PARTY. Her feature credits include Michael Showalter’s feature THE LOVEBIRDS, Disney+ reboot of HOME ALONE, IFC’s DATING & NEW YORK and Paramount’s AT MIDNIGHT.
CHECK CAT OUT: Full Special: “The Twist…? She’s Gorgeous” on Netflix
Cat’s COMEDY INFLUENCES: Molly Shannon, Kristen Wiig, “All the Broadway Divas Who Came Before Me”
Cat’s MUSICAL INFLUENCES: Showtunes, Spice Girls
ELIOT GLAZER
Eliot Glazer is a comedian, actor, musician, and writer best known for his work both on screen and behind the scenes of Broad City. He last served as Co-Executive Producer on iCarly (Paramount+) and has written on, among others, New Girl, The Boys: Diabolical, and Younger. He is the author of the anthology My Parents Were Awesome and co-host of the podcast You’re Making It Worse. He also hosts the live comedy concert “Limp Wriztd” and the Comedy Central Digital series “2 Jews Choose.” He can be heard as a frequent guest on The Howard Stern Wrap Up Show, and seen in a supporting role opposite Seth Rogen in HBO Max’s An American Pickle. Additionally, Eliot created, developed and starred opposite Colton Haynes (Teen Wolf, Arrow) in the AMC Studio original half-hour comedy I Run Hot for Peacock, directed by his sister Ilana.
CHECK ELIOT OUT: Excerpt: “Limp Wriztd” on Instagram
COMEDY INFLUENCES: Bridget Everett, Reggie Watts, Sandra Bernhard
MUSICAL INFLUENCES: Anita Baker, Michael McDonald, Luther Vandross
GRACE HAYES
Grace Hayes is a singer, songwriter, actress, and accidental comedian from Reno, Nevada. After creating musical content for 10 years, Hayes got her first viral start on TikTok from writing songs out of one-star fast food Yelp reviews. Since, she has cultivated an audience of over 285,000 followers online from her unique musical presence. Some of her accolades include being a TEDx speaker, American Idol Alumni, and the Music Director for Cartoon Network's newest preschool show Jessica's Big Little World.
CHECK GRACE OUT: Music Video: “Short Kings” on TikTok
COMEDY INFLUENCES: Reggie Watts, Rhett & Link
MUSICAL INFLUENCES: Norah Jones, Ingrid Michaelson, LaRussell
JAZZ EMU
Jazz Emu is an unpretentious pseudo-comedomusicologist from the UK, who writes glistening up-tempo pop for the emotionally stunted. His music has racked up millions of streams, been featured on the official Spotify ‘Fresh Finds’ playlist and played on BBC Radio 1 Breakfast with Greg James. His solo live show You Shouldn’t Have received multiple 5 star reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe, and he has gone on to sellout shows around the UK with his band The Cosmique Perfectión. He currently has a four-part musical sitcom in development with BBC Radio 4.
CHECK JAZZ EMU OUT: Music Video: “Still Waiting” on YouTube
COMEDY INFLUENCES: Flight of the Conchords, Garth Marenghi's Darkplace, Mike Myers
MUSICAL INFLUENCES: David Bowie, Breakbot, Parcels
KYLE GORDON
Kyle Gordon is a New York based comedian, actor, writer and improviser. He has recently emerged as one of the most popular comedians on Social Media, with over 5 million followers and over a billion views across Tik Tok, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook . When not creating comedy online, he can also be found performing to sold out crowds across the country. In addition to regular shows around his home of New York City, he has recently completed a sold-out, multi-city, major market solo headlining tour across the US and UK. His summer 2023 smash hit "Planet of the Bass", a parody of classic 90's Eurodance, was named by many outlets as the Song of the Summer. The character DJ Crazy Times was profiled by The New York Times, GQ, Rolling Stone, and many, many more. He performed onstage with the Jonas Brothers and appeared on ABC, NBC, and the VMA's. His upcoming comedy album entitled ""Kyle Gordon is Great"" is slated for release in March 2024.
CHECK KYLE OUT: Music Video: “Planet of the Bass” on YouTube
COMEDY INFLUENCES: Christopher Guest, Chris Farley, David Cross
MUSICAL INFLUENCES: The Ramones, The Beach Boys, Ween
MARCIA BELSKY
Marcia Belsky is a New York City based stand-up comedian, writer and musician. She founded the Headless Women of Hollywood project, a blog about objectification on TV/film posters. She co-wrote Handmaid’s Tale: The Musical which played around New York as well as at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.. She has been featured on NPR, BBC and more. Recently her comedy was featured on Comedy Central digital, including her hit song “100 Tampons”.
CHECK MARCIA OUT: Live at Joe’s Pub: “I Don’t Wanna Go Camping” on Instagram
COMEDY INFLUENCES: Allan Sherman, Weird Al, Tenacious D
MUSICAL INFLUENCES: Harry Nillson, Newsies
MATT ROGERS
Matt Rogers is a Los Angeles based actor, comedian, writer, podcaster and television host. Named one of Variety's Comics To Watch in 2021, he is co-host of the popular podcast “Las Culturistas” alongside SNL's Bowen Yang, which was named Time Out New York’s #1 Comedy Podcast and Time Magazine’s “50 Best Podcasts to Listen to Right Now”. Matt’s special HAVE YOU HEARD OF CHRISTMAS premiered on showtime and has received wide acclaim, including being named by Variety as one of The Best Comedy Specials of 2022, and New York Times best comedy of 2022.
CHECK MATT OUT: “Have You Heard of Christmas” on Spotify
COMEDY INFLUENCES: Margaret Cho, Sandra Berhard, The Lonely Island
MUSICAL INFLUENCES: Mariah Carey, Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande
MICHELLE BRASIER
Michelle Brasier is an Australian actor, writer, singer and comedian known for her work with sketch comedy group Aunty Donna and her critically acclaimed comedy-as-philosophy live shows. Her debut one woman show Average Bear is now streaming on Paramount Plus (AU). She has written episodes for Yolo (Adult Swim S1/S2), Aunty Donna’s Coffee Cafe (ABC) and Why Are You Like This (ABC, Netflix). On screen, Michelle appears on Aunty Donna’s Big Old House Of Fun (Netflix), Thank God You’re Here (Ten), We Interrupt This Broadcast (Seven), The 100 with Andy Lee (Nine) and musical TV series, Australian Epic on ABC. Brasier is a core cast member in Aunty Donna’s Coffee Cafe (ABC) and voices characters on Adult Swim productions Koala Man (Disney Plus) and Yolo: Crystal Fantasy/ Silver Destiny. (HBO Max) On stage, Michelle works closely with Zach Zucker's Stamptown and her solo shows have sold out seasons across Australia and the UK.
CHECK MICHELLE OUT: Live Performance: Melbourne International Comedy Festival on YouTube
COMEDY INFLUENCES: Catherine O’Hara, Jenny Slate, Chris Fleming
MUSICAL INFLUENCES: Bo Burnham, The Swell Season, Brandi Carlisle
MORGAN JAY
Morgan Jay is a musician and comedian based in Los Angeles. He’s won multiple awards across the country and he’s appeared on MTVs WILDNOUT as well as NBC‘s Bring The Funny, but is most recognized from his viral TikTok and Instagram videos. He has two self-produced comedy specials that you could watch right now on YouTube for free.
CHECK MORGAN OUT: Full Special: “Morgan Jay - Live at the Village” on YouTube
COMEDY INFLUENCES: Rory Scovel, Reggie watts, Jamie Foxx
MUSICAL INFLUENCES: Bo Burnham, Bossa-nova, Old School Rob
NICK LUTSKO
Nick Lutsko is a songwriter, producer, and performer out of Chattanooga, TN. He routinely changes hats between performing high energy, theatrical shows with The $100K Band and creating satirical music videos for social media and various film/tv projects for platforms like Netflix and Comedy Central. His videos are a musical descent into madness that have amassed millions of views across platforms.
CHECK NICK OUT: Music Video: “Crickets” on YouTube
COMEDY INFLUENCES: Tim Heidecker, Garry Shandling, Steve Martin
MUSICAL INFLUENCES: The Beatles, Talking Heads, Ween
SOPHIE ZUCKER
Sophie Zucker is a comedian, living in Brooklyn. She's currently a writer at The Daily Show. Prior to that, she wrote and starred as Abby on Apple TV's Dickinson. She can be seen in the upcoming HBOMax movie Sweethearts, directed by Jordan Weiss. Sophie has performed original work at Joe's Pub, Union Hall, The Bell House, Littlefield, Brooklyn Comedy Collective, Second City, UCB, Vital Joint, and Lifeworld and trained at some of those places, too. She's currently touring her one woman musical about incest Sophie Sucks Face all over the country. At its mostly sold out Fringe Festival run, it was given five 4 star reviews, shortlisted for best show for the prestigious Edinburgh Fringe Comedian's Choice Awards, and was on the British Comedy Guide's Highly recommended list.
CHECK SOPHIE OUT: Trailer: “Sophie Sucks Face” on YouTube
COMEDY INFLUENCES: Barbra Streisand, Gilda Radner, Elaine May
MUSICAL INFLUENCES: Liz Phair, Miley Cyrus, Stephen Schwartz
