Amos Gill is an Australian comedian who has spent 12 years establishing a fan base in his homeland and in the US, where he has supported the likes of Jim Jefferies. 2023 sees his bring his latest show ‘The Pursuit of Happy(ish)’ to the Fringe for a debut run. We spoke to him about the show, US and Australian audiences, and why it’s taken so long to come to the Fringe.
Can you tell us about ‘The Pursuit of Happy(ish)’?
This show is the culmination of my 12 years doing stand up. That said, I often talk about the impediments to happiness and the crazy way we seek pleasure, so this thematically made sense. As a recent immigrant to America, I’m on “the pursuit of happiness,” so I’ve started to question what on earth that even is. Or whether that’s a noble ambition at all. Should we try to be happy, or try to live with purpose? Or is it all just a nihilistic blur on a spinning rock. Plus some sex jokes, all for a competitive price.
You divide your time between Australia and the US. How do comedy audiences in the US compare to Australia? Was there some initial culture shock?
The comedy audiences in America are incredible. It’s their art form and wherever you go across the country people come and watch. They laugh hard and show some enthusiasm. Australians are a tough bunch. We all think we’re funnier than any performer, I guess you could say we have a touch of the Scousers about us. As far as culture shock, you don’t ever get over the fear of bankruptcy due to an infected ingrown hair.
You’re a qualified lawyer. When and why did the legal profession’s loss become comedy’s gain?
My grades weren’t strong enough, nor was my family name powerful enough to get me a top job. I also found the wigs unbearably itchy. Thankfully stand up has been my job ever since university. That being said, I had one criminal trial during lockdown and won it. I’m happy to go out with a 100% trial record (particularly given I think he was guilty).
This is your debut Fringe show. What are your hopes and expectations for August, and how come it’s taken you so long?
I’m here to build an audience that I’m going to play to until I’m dead. As far as why it’s taken me so long, I guess I’ve spent my time pursuing a career in America and haven’t much cared for the idea of losing thousands of pounds. I’m extremely tight and as a professional it’s never sat right with me, that you would willingly lose financially, even if your show is a ‘success’. To me that is sucker economics, or the pastime of trust finders. Also, It’s august, European summer, I could be on the Croatian coast visiting my family. Oh god, what am I doing?
Beside ‘The Pursuit of Happy(ish)’, can we expect to see you performing elsewhere during August?
I’m always four pints away from a karaoke.
Apart from your show, what else are you looking forward to (or even perhaps dreading) about the Fringe?
My Australian comedian friend, Daniel Muggleton, has my headphones I left at his house in Sydney. It’ll be nice to have those back.
Are there any other acts at the Fringe that you would recommend audiences see?
Fuck the lot of them. This is a knife fight.
‘The Pursuit of Happy(ish)’ runs from Wed 2 Aug to Thu 24 Aug 2023 at Gilded Balloon Teviot – Nightclub at 20:30
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