GCP Convos with Comedian Max Higgins

A service. ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ Hello everyone and welcome to a very special bonus episode of Goose Chicks Podcast and All Women Lead Show. Focus on the band Goose and the community that supports them. I'm Luzzie Mack, producer and co-host and I'm so excited to be joined by comedian Max Higgins today. I found Max on TikTok via a hilarious clip of one of their stand-up shows that spoke to the fish fan in me. Let's go ahead and take a quick listen to that right now. I'm 25 years old and I have seen the band Fish play 52 times. Yeah, how does it feel to meet the casual fish fan for months? Here's the thing, fish fans. They're not just these white dreaded hippie degenerates that you think they are, okay? They are also your doctors, lawyers and other healthcare professionals. Look, somewhere out there a man just did four nights of ketamine and today he's taking out your wisdom teeth. I was there. But you know what? I would actually prove for a fish fan to be my doctor because I know for a fact that person has survived a weekend in Atlantic City with a dead phone, lost friends and just a small bag of molly to barter. Okay, they've got problem solving skills. Appen, deck to me? Please, they escaped joining a cult on eight tabs of ashes. They're not afraid of a routine procedure. Oh my goodness, as you can tell, I couldn't even control myself laughing there, but I'm so excited. Max Higgins is a stand-up comedian and fish fan based out of Burlington, Vermont. Max performs regionally and can be seen performing at Rogue Island Comedy Festival at the end of this month, at the end of May. Welcome, Max. And thank you for not thinking I was a weird stalker hitting you up on TikTok and Instagram for this interview. Welcome to Good Six Podcasts. Hello, Leslie. It's very nice to be here. And you were not random because I knew you were when you messaged me. So I was like, oh my gosh, cool. So, thanks for supporting. Yeah, you were like that you knew about Blackberry jams. And so that was really awesome. And I was like, so I'm one, I'm always excited to connect with other fish fans, period, just because, you know, we're a special, special set of folks. And as I said, we were talking and prepped for this interview. And I said to you that I just find your humor to be so accessible on multiple levels because you tell great stories, but it's like taking knowledge that the general public has about certain topics. And, you know, tapping into that. But then there's a second layer that those are that if you know, you know, there's another layer of laughter in there. And it's brilliant and so, so smart. So I'm so glad to be able to talk with you. So, standard first question always is like, you know, how and when did you get into fishing? What's your fan origin story? Yeah. Okay, I love my fan origin story because I feel like it has elements of an old school fish fan origin story, but also this like very new generation of fish fans. So what happened was, I was at a summer camp. I was 14. It's a summer camp arts program. And they have a band on camp of kids and the kids played a cover of bouncing around the room. And I feel like summer camp that feels like where a lot of people hear fish for the first time. But no one talked about it was just a song I heard the lyrics and it sort of stayed in my mind. And then I left that summer camp. I'm about to start high school. I remember the lyrics that song. So I Google it. I find it on YouTube. And that night I go down a YouTube rabbit hole. People who've posted just these like fish studio tracks in isolation. So it's not like the albums. It's just like bouncing around the room and then Piper and farmhouse and I'm like going down this rabbit hole. And by the end of the night, I remember I just paused my computer and said to myself, this is the best music I've ever heard. I love it. And then that's all I cared about for the next four years of my life. I love it. That is a great, I would say, analog and digital origin story. You've definitely melded the two together. And I do think bouncing around the room is such a like on ramp song for fish fans because when you're younger, you can. I was about the same age around. I was in high school, like 13, 14 when I first heard fish. I went to boarding school and I was in New York. So, you know, whatever. And so I just remember it was a song that would frequently be just coming out of folks rooms like, you know, other students rooms would just be playing and I'm like, what is this thing? Like, what is that? And then some friends of mine took me to a show, I think up in Albany, like Albany area. And I just remember being like, oh, okay, get it. And I remember something clicking around the jam aspect of it, which is like a thing I think that blows your mind when you're younger, just that every time you hear a song, it's going to be different. It's such a novel thing. Because you're taught growing up like this is a song. It has a verse and then a chorus and a bridge and a second verse and then it's going to end at the end. Maybe you'll get a little bit of instrumental, but it's standard. And every time you hear it's going to be the same. And for me, fish kind of opened up this idea that music was not meant to be that way all the time and that improvisation is so critical, which brings me to like, did that affect you wanting to go into comedy? Because so much of that is improvisational. Obviously, right stuff. But a lot of it's also in the moment. So I'm wondering, did this open up this like improvisational space for you in your head, the young Max's head anyways. That is such a good question. I was so into, I was very into acting in theater when I was in high school and I was huge into improv. Like that was my number one activity. And to me, those things felt so connected. I think generationally there weren't a lot of, I didn't know any other kids my age were into fish. But I would say I spent all of my time not doing improv, trying to convince the improv kids that fish was like the thing to be doing and seeing. But absolutely, I think those, that element is so alive. And like that's very much the same in both of those spaces that creative like energy that you're tapping into this live thing you're sharing with the people in the room. And like obviously, can you record it, but like truly when it's meant to be experienced is like all of us together in a space. Yeah, yeah, the temporal autonomous zone that we get to create at shows which is so amazing and so life giving as well. So I mentioned that you are based out of the jam that Mecca really of Burlington Vermont is that we grew up or where did you grow up? No, I grew up in the Boston area and we lived in a lot of places. It was somewhat unstable. And in that way I moved to Burlington when I was 18 and I grew up in Boston but in so many ways Burlington is the city that raised me. And I really grew up and learn to be an adult here. So they both have places in my heart but I do feel like in a lot of ways I feel like I am from Burlington. But yeah, they both have have big places in my history. I mean, you definitely give big Burlington vibes to me having spent time there and shout out to our sponsor Ben and Jerry as well. They're the best. But yeah, so that makes perfect sense. And I also just feel like every time I've been to Burlington it's just, I don't know, I find myself super relaxed there. I just get to I do so much walking whenever I try and go when it's warm so to avoid wintertime but of course I'm always like just walking and enjoying whatever is going on. And also it's just really happening. There's so much music. There's so much festivals that happen up there, even like little ones and big ones. I love that whole area. I find so much about the jam band scene to be absolutely hilarious like seriously funny. But you really have found a way to poke fun, a bit of fun at this segment of the music business while also, you know, respecting it too. So did you start incorporating fish jokes into your sets right away or did that happen like more organically was that something you always wanted to joke around about? I wanted to joke around about it from the first time I got on stage but I was really trying to find my in with it. I think because for one, it's really easy for fish just to be the butt of the joke and I was like, there's, I mean, it's funny and there's absolutely funny stuff about it but like what's truly funny about it. I think is not what people think is I think what people use it as is just like code for like people who do drugs and whatnot. And that's, there's like that element of it but I'm like, there's so much else here that is really funny. And I think it took, I'm sort of getting into my second year of comedy now. And I think it's taken up till now for me to understand how to write jokes enough and like how to be on stage to feel like I can approach it. Because I wanted to approach it with some reparance because it's so important to me and has been such a big part of my life and I just wanted to do it justice. So I would say this, I did a couple iterations before the one that went on TikTok and I would say this is the first one that I felt like, okay, like I'm getting somewhere here. Yeah, like I said, it's so smart. It works on so many levels and you're right, you know, making fish the bar of the joke is kind of like an easy joke to make. And I love the way you structured that joke to be like, no, I'm actually going to prey on your, your assumptions about fish fans and about this community and that's where the joke actually sits because you don't even realize it. And I'm going to give a shout out to my dentist, Dr. Newbauer because I literally went to his office this week and I was like, hey, Dr. Newbauer, I heard because he told my husband that thanks my husband for introducing him to goose and I said, hey, I heard you like goose. And he's like, Oh yeah, goose, I love them, they're awesome. And he was telling me some songs he likes and I gave him two more and he's like, hold on a second. I'm mid appointment. He goes, hold on, I need a pen and paper. I have to write this down. It's very important. So it's so funny because when I heard your joke and then I had this experience with my actual own dentist like being so into a jam band that he like stopped mid exam to write down songs. And I was telling him about it was just really funny because I do think people just have a very skewed understanding of just how wide a swath of the population is into jam band music and goes to see it live so often and like uses it as an escape hatch to, you know, the real quote unquote real world all the time. All right, so in the clip I played you said that you've been to 52 fish shows. One is that number still accurate. And two, what are you looking forward to during this 40th anniversary year of the boys which I mean I just it's hard to even fathom it. Super exciting and great. I'm only going to get to see them a couple times this year but definitely getting a few in Wilmington, Alfredo. So yeah, one is a no is 52 still correct and then two what's you got going on this year with all these fun celebrations they've got planned. Okay, yes, 52 is still correct because that joke is very recent. Which I feel strongly about 52. Yeah, that is very that is a strong, strong number for sure. I think trying to avoid the comments but I've seen at least a couple that are like 52 net trial a little harder why don't you. Oh my god, so extra. I can so funny. I, what I have planned and I'm excited for is, I typically hit some almost all of or some of Madison Square Garden anytime those runs get announced. So I assume that I will find my way to a couple of those, but what I'm really excited about during this 40th year is I mean, first of all, whatever they have planned I'm sure is amazing and will be so special. But I'm excited. I just sort of decided to go to Syracuse, which I feel like I haven't done an outdoor show in so long. And like outdoor summer along like I missed that and that's me feels very like of how I started seeing fish. Yeah, when I was in high school and I'm going with some friends and I could not be more excited to just be outside and like a summer and it's like a bit of a drive and I think that's exciting. The road trip aspect, it's like all part of the experience right like getting your list together and making sure you have all the things you want and your fan and your this and your like all the stuff your chair that you want and the right blanket. I love it's everything that goes into such a process. I was having a conversation with Dr. Leah Taylor yesterday about, you know, systematizing or how we systematize preparing to go to shows. And I was like, yeah, I guess I do have a pretty ritualistic process I go through from planning process all the way today of show that I do pretty consistently and do it all every single time. And I hadn't thought about it in that context but I was like, oh, that's interesting. I'm trying to, I'm really, I'm really trying to maximize my enjoyment and I have spent a lot of time planning myself into that space, you know, that flow space that we get to go to at shows. We saw them outdoors at Charleston last year over two nights and it was a strange venue was a tennis tournament venue and so like the the pit was like the courts. We stayed in the stands because I just like the stands and I love the lights and everything shout out to the CK five. And I, we had a great time there and it was really fun and my favorite story though we were just grabbing a bite to eat and we happened to be talking about posters with some friends that were with us. And from the booth over there's like we were talking about how posters work and from the booth on the other side someone just like a male voice says, that's not really how that works. And I was like, my, like, and then I was like, excuse me, why are you in our conversation. Only the head pop is up and it's Jim Pollock. He's like, he's like, I was like, oh my gosh, I'm so sorry Jim I'm so so sorry. He's like, no, and he talked to us for a little while about how poster process works and how it's worked from the beginning and all this stuff and he was in town to go see the shows as well and it was really funny. And then, you know, we say goodbye and they left before us we go to leave and he had paid our bill. Oh, Mike, what is sweetheart are you kidding? So sweet, just the best, best person. We love you, Jim. Thank you so much for everything that you do for the community and for lunch too. Yeah, but can you believe that Max is that the wildest story. I stories like that make me love fish world so much. I feel like we're all just like a couple degrees away from each other and like it is that is amazing but also like not surprising like wonderful that story is. Every time I tell someone they're like, that's Jim definitely sounds like him like literally it's like so believable right like it just was so funny. That's awesome. So I will be remiss this is goose chicks podcast if I didn't ask if you heard of goose and do you have any thoughts about them the music they're kind of current place in the jam band scene. You know, they did that fall tour with trace band as well. Right. All up and down the East Coast there. So yeah, what have you listened to any goose I'm curious what your thoughts are about them. Okay, so goose has been on my radar for a couple years just because off fish chatter. Obviously. Of course. And I've so it's just been one of those things I've been meaning to get around to. And then of course Trey announced the tour with them with that amazing video and I thought okay. I was a guy. Well, this is now I have to. And then I will say this morning I was like, all right, we're gonna just listen. Yes. And I turned it on. I'm in the car and immediately I go. Oh, they're so good. Yeah. Oh, I don't know what I was waiting for. I was like, oh, of course they're so good. Everyone loves them. That makes sense. But I was like, oh, that's. I think I was scared to be obsessed with another thing. So I will warn you it happens quick. So just just tread lightly. I'm not going to lie. I don't like to, you know, sugarcoat thing. Oh, here. It's definitely. I will tell you, I saw my first show last year here in Charlotte in March. And I have been since then to the three goose shows since then. So I want to, I am an extreme outlier. Obviously I started a whole podcast. I was going to say you do a podcast. My experience is not that unusual. I have to say that goose definitely is one of those bands that end up, you end up becoming obsessed with much like fish because as you mentioned, your, your entree was so much content that was available for free. And they are the same way, like every shows on bandcamp that you can listen to for free. They put so many full shows on YouTube and they really maximize so much coming out of the pandemic. They had so many free virtual shows that you can just dive all the way in and just get completely like envelopes in goose stone. So I will just say tread lightly, but also you're going to love it for sure. It's definitely. There are jam bands, jam band in terms of the skill one and then to just their like commitment to improvisational live music. A couple of shows ago, Peter literally was like everybody because they were going on break and he's like, everybody make sure, you know, thanks for coming out, support venues. Make sure you supporting local venues and local musicians because live music is the shit. And that's kind of like the, the, you know, spirit of the band is that live music is the shit and they're here to make sure that it stays and stays amazing. So yeah, that is so good to hear. As soon as I turn them on, I think jam bands, jam bands sounds is really resonating from what I heard. I was like this. Yeah, this is eating. It makes absolute sense that I love this. I should be seeing them for the first time. I think I knew for this year. So I am now very, I'm not was excited, but I am now very excited. Yes. I'll put a little playlist together for you. So you don't have to go too deep, but I'll put a playlist together for you on bandcamp with some of the live songs and I'll put a little playlist together for you and send it over so you can, you can listen, but not get sucked fully in. I will warn you that the playlist may end up sucking you in anyways, but we'll start you night slow and then we do it. They're in this. You go right now. Rumors, rumors are out there. They're in this studio right now. It's not really rumors because I feel like they've been dropping everything they could. So we're expecting at least one album, potentially a double album this year. They perform 22 new songs last year that are not on albums. Oh my, that's so many. It's so many. It's so many. They debuted too on the Taboos tour with Trey. One of them, they said, oh, we wrote this two days ago. Let's go. Like literally it's really something, something, something special. That's exciting. That's very cool and very fun. And they of course have so many wonderful things to say about Trey and the tour that they did. I went to six of the eight shows of the tour, which it was just phenomenal and amazing. Was it? I was so curious. I wanted to make it, but it was so cool because Trey came out at the end of their set and did like three or four songs with them at the end of their set. And then for the encore, both whole bands came and did the encores together. And so, and then one of them, the Tab Horns, you know, James, Jen, Natalie, they came and did one of Fish in the Sea, which is a fat Freddie drop song, but Goose covers it a lot. And they've always wanted to do with horns. And so they got to do that during that show, during that tour. So it was really a big party, I would say, because Goose did their set and then Trey would come out and play with them, then Tab would do their set. And then the encores were just like everyone on stage. I mean, what's better than one basis too? You know, like very high vibes. And the last night, which was in Reading, I wasn't even going to go to this, that show. I was going to be done with the first four or first five shows we went to. And then I was like, we, I feel like I'll miss the evolution, because it was interesting. The first show we were on the rail, which was in Portland, Maine. And it was like when Trey came out, Rick and him were like, you go, no, you go, no, you go. It was very like, you could see them trying to figure out how they were going to be together. And Rick is such a humble person, you know, even when he would come out with Tab, he would be like standing in a very tiny corner, just like, I'm just here if you need me kind of vibes. But by the end, they were like trading licks back and forth and completely jamming and into it with each other. And just amazing. And then there were just some magical moments. Peter has a song called Redbird that he wrote about his mother, which is really beautiful. I'll make sure one of them is on the playlist. And Trey came out to play with them. And he sang the second verse. And I just watched Peter's face because they're huge fish fans. And Peter's face watching his musical heroes sing this song that he wrote about his mom. I mean, you could just see all of it washing over him. So there were a lot of really special moments like that. And it was just really great to see just the collaboration, the musical collaboration. And I think everybody had a really, Trey was having, I haven't seen them have that much fun in decades. I mean, jumping and just interacting with everyone. I have like several photos of him were, both his feet are off the ground like hair in the air, everything. It was just really fun and very exciting. So I'm glad you're going to get to see Goose at Newport. That's going to be fantastic. I know it's a great, really special place for them. So you'll get a good show for sure. All right. Well, where can folks follow you, Max? Go see you live and support your brilliant career. Please tell all the folks and we'll make sure everything's in the show notes as well. Amazing. The main place to follow me is Instagram. It's at max underscore headgear. And I'm also on TikTok, Max Higgins comedy, but Instagram is where I post everything. I post all the shows. I'm going to be in Newport, Rhode Island for Rhode Island music or comedy festival at the end of the month. I'm going to be in Brooklyn doing a show on May 29th. And then I'm going to, I just agreed to do a show on August 5th, raved the boat pre-party before fish. So fish fans, that's for you. It's so exciting. Oh my gosh, that sounds amazing. Yeah. So that's going to be, yeah, it leaves out of Kip's Bay. It'll be fun. So that's, you'll see me at all those places, but yeah, follow me on Instagram. I'm around doing shows, having fun. Would love to see some of you out there. Absolutely. Awesome. Well, thank you so much again, Max, for joining me. Everyone be sure to check out the show notes to follow Max and their upcoming dates. And I'll make sure all the links to all the things are there. And I have it on my mission now. I want to go to a Guiseau with you, Max. So I'm going to start to engineer this somehow, some way, we'll figure out when this, we can make something happen and have you come to a Guiseau with me because it's going to, it would be really great. I would love that. I would simply love that. Absolutely. Thanks again for joining me and I'll talk to you really soon. Thank you. Thanks again to Max for joining me today for this bonus episode. Guise Jix's podcast is produced by me, Leslie Mack, with support from Sound Engineer Matt Dwyer, co-host Alexios Lipo, and contributor Chelsea Long, and Hannah Liebrij. Special thanks to our sponsor Ben and Jerry's for their support, especially Jay Curly and Jay Tandon and their team. We are a proud member of the Osiris Media family. You can check us out on socials at Guise Jix Pod and on our website, GuiseJixPod.com, including our very first merch drop, which is available now. Until next time, be kind to each other out there and remember to keep it dead. I'm sorry. .