I am Reggie Watts - AMA!

Will you ever perform Jamaican dance hall music under the name "Reggae Witts"?

I think i'll have to now.

I remember seeing you on Bill Nye as a child, but not knowing it was you until you tweeted the clip a few weeks ago. Thank you for enhancing my youth, full-circle

Thank YOU! That's a huge deal. For those who haven't seen it: It's a Cave Thing.

Hey there, I have some fuck and some shit. What would you recommend I do with it?

I would store it.

In a glass bowl?

A glass bowl is definitely the way to do it.

Reggie,
I am going to my fifth Bonnaroo this year, and I know you are a Roo veteran as well. One of the only things I dislike about the festival is the difficulty (or at least inconvenience) of getting into the comedy tent to see comedy acts. You have to miss out on so many other Roo goodies just sitting there for hours in the hot sun waiting to get in. My two-part question for you is…

1.) If you were a festival goer, how many hours would you be willing to wait in the hot sun to get into the comedy tent to see Reggie Watts?

2.) Will you join my friends and I at our campsite for some late night shenanigans?

1.) To see me, I'd definitely go somewhere where it's cool and comfortable. You can see me another time when it's easier to see me.

2.) You know, if it flows with the Universe, then yes. You can PM me more details.

When I first heard your music, I was immediately struck by your incredible vocal talent (range, control, self-harmonizing, everything) and your understanding of music theory and structure, which seemed to give you the ability to make genuinely good music by improvising.

Do you have plans of releasing songs/videos of songs of you doing more melodic and vocal work? I could listen to songs like Rainbows for years on end.

Much love!

EDIT: Another video of the kind of stuff I'm talking about for other people who are interested.

Yes, the plan is to do some straight-up music stuff this year and release it this year. You can subscribe to my YouTube channel if you want to check out my new stuff.

Thank you very much for your kind words, that is very sweet of you.

Your golf sweater you wore on Conan, where can I get it?

I don't even know how I got it. I think I got it at a thrift store in Great Falls, Montana.

That's probably where you got it. With Great Falls come great sweaters.

That's awesome.

I'm hesitant of us becoming friends. Now it's your turn to convince me.

OK, let's be friends.

Can you mail me some of your hair?

I would, but it's holographic, so there's nothing to send.

What was it like working with Scott ackurman? Is there a season 2 of comedy bang bang coming?

Yes, we're halfway through filming season 2 of Comedy Bang Bang. Scott is one of the smartest, funniest guys I know and it's a pleasure to work with him. We goof around and make bad puns to each other a lot.

Dear Reggie,

Your big-ass hair rubbed against my face at the Hot Tub Comedy show in L.A. a few weeks ago. It was one of the best moments of my life. You are awesome.

I'm glad that such happenstance things can cause so much joy.

Hey Reggie, am I fucking?

Most definitely.

Reggie, After such a positive experience on tour with Conan, have you still had any contact with him or his team?

Yes, I performed with them in Austin - I'm on the show semi-regularly and we're a bunch of forever friends.

if your afro were to fight ?uestlove's afro, who would win?

Well, I don't think that would happen as both of them are anti-fighting.

I have your pen.... do you miss your pen?

I don't, unfortunately.

Why are you my favorite?

Because you're a great person and I reflect that in you, possibly?

who would you most like to collaborate with?

I would like to collaborate with...I don't know, maybe Jack White would be fun? Robert Glasper. Or Michael Mayer from Kompact Records.

Oh my god, please collaborate with Jack White. I don't even know how that would work, but I get the feeling listening to it would give me an awesomeness-induced stroke.

You two are kinda my favorites right now.

Oh it's really sweet to hear that. It would be an honor to work with Jack, he's a very complicated person who's capable of almost anything.

I met you a few weeks ago. We talked about living on the same streets in the East Village for a while (3rd and b). You were super cool and you remembered my address. I regret not inviting you over to kick it that same night. Thanks for being dope.

Yea, thanks man! I remember!

Where did you get the inspiration for some of the weirder lines in your songs? Fuck shit stack in particular, your lyrics are just whack sometimes.

Yeah, I have no idea really. They just happen in the moment, whatever the dumbest shit is, that's what happens. For the inspiration for my latest video "If you're Fucking, You're Fucking" - the inspiration was just how dumb it is. The idea of how dumb it is to have a song that addresses a question that no one would ever ask...

Any plans to continue collaborating with James Murphy of LCD? It was a treat to see you in "Shut Up and Play the Hits."

Yea, James and I have talked about doing something together but he's such a busy guy it will happen when it happens naturally.

Hey Reggie, just wanted to say you're the best at fusing music and comedy and I love it when you improvise your made up language. That shit's the bomb.

That's sweet - I love doing it!

SO how do you REALLY feel about Mountain Dew Kickstart?

I think it's definitely a drink.

Reggie,

Who are "The Gatekeepers" that you refer to, with their nefarious intents? Who were/are some of your most influential teachers in life? What are some of your favorite and most profoundly wise books? Thank you for speaking so fluently in the beautiful language of Human.

Haha this is amazing. Thank you for being so nice. The Gatekeepers - they're basically the people in charge of letting things into the various distribution networks, like TV, film, radio, curators, anybody that has the ability to say yes or no to something being a part of a network. For influential teachers, I would say my piano teacher Mrs. Riesenberg; Linda Lydiard, my violin teacher; Jay Clayton, my jazz voice teacher; and the Universe. For favorite books, The Dancing Wu-Li Masters; The Alchemist; The Tao of Physics; and Earthdance: Living Systems in Evolution.

Reggie, I think you're the cat's pajamas. Question is, if I had a really cool song called "Daddy's Money" coming out soon, would you do a verse on it?

Maybe... PM me details?

tell the truth. what. planet. are. you. from.

A planet called Zalzar.

How much preparation goes into a performance? The way you can flow through the songs is amazing. Do you put together pieces or lyrics or is it all on the fly?

You are a genius, sir.

Oh, thank you! It's all on the fly. I can't remember anything, so it has to be that way.

Are you high right now ?

Not yet...

How was your experience on TedTalks?

It was great, it was amazing. It was kind of a life goal of mind to do it, and it was incredible to be around so many amazing people.

which 90s rnb singer does your hair taste most like?

Angie Stone.

Hey Reggie, huge fan here and am glad you're doing this AMA! You my friend are a musical/lyrical genius. Any pointers or tips for those of us who would like to improve our improv skills?

Yes, just don't be afraid to do really dumb shit.

Just dropped by to say hi :D Also, pancakes or waffles?

Pancakes. Blueberry flapjacks, specifically, with a little bit of syrup.

Can you do me a favor and give a shout out to my shithead ex boyfriend who never helped to pay rent/bills and mooched off me while being perpetually high for a year? He loves you.

I love you, too, he just loves you more.

I got really irritated when you were last on the Talking Dead. I felt like you couldn't get a word out without being interrupted.

Well, first of all, here's a big shoutout to your not-very-helpful ex-boyfriend. Hopefully he'll come to his senses later in life, realize his mistakes, and make it up to you somehow.

And about The Talking Dead, it was an honor to be on the show, even if I had gotten to say nothing, being next to those guys was enough for me.

How big is your record collection? Your favorite record?

If you're speaking of actual records, my actual record collection is about 13 records. And if you're speaking of music including MP3s, a couple thousand. My favorite record would have to be the Go-Between's "16 Lovers Lane" or "The Glove" or Depeche Mode's "Black Celebration" and anything by Boards of Canada plus the Memory House EP.

Where do you get your amazing sweaters and how many of them do you have in your collection?

Oh, I don't know - maybe 9 sweaters? I haven't really counted. I get them all over, sometimes they are given to me from warddrobe, sometimes they are gifted to me, sometimes I run into them. The most interesting way I've gotten a sweater - I got a bunch of sweaters from a Playboy shoot when I was interviewed for the magazine.

[deleted]

It was confused at first, and then I think they were enjoying themselves, and then afterwards I had a lot of great conversations with people. I think they were expecting a serious talk from someone, and then they realized that that wasn't going to happen, and they let themselves enjoy it.

What is your favourite industrial album?

That is so hard - I think Nitzer Ebb, "That Total Age."

I remember a late-night loft party where you sang and flew a remote-control UFO around the room.

Do you have any plans to work with other unidentified flying objects, or at least collaborating with aliens?

Keep up the good work. We're all counting on you.

Yes, I look forward to working with many more aliens along the way.

hey reggie, im a big fan and you are one bad ass mother fucker. ive got a couple of questions:

What music are you listening to?

whose the nicest guy in showbiz?

whats your favorite style of martial arts (or kung fu movie)?

whats your favorite instrument to play?

if first i take some fuck, then i take some shit, and i put them together, what do i get?

Thanks man!

1) What music am I listening to - well I have been listening to Blue Foundation, or Cocteau Twins, "Four Calendar Cafe."

2) The nicest guy in showbiz might be Conan O'Brien.

3) I did like Kung Fu movies growing up, I liked "Couching Tigers, Hidden Boyfriend" - but I might have gotten the title wrong.

4) I guess if it's not my voice, a synthesizer.

My son didn't take out the recycling before he went to school this morning. I'm pretty annoyed about it. Any advice on how to deal with it when I get home later?

Tell him he should remember to take out the recycling because it will make him feel better, it will make him feel good in the end.

how have you iterated on the gear (pedals, loopers, keyboards, etc) since you've started? and what about your current set-up is particuarly awesome?

There's not a lot of building, it just started out with one pedal and now i have 3 pedals. The keyboard is something that I've always used; for the most part, I've always used the same keyboard but now i also use an OP-1.
I like that my setup is small and compact and lo-fi and that there's no laptop anywhere in sight.

What's your favorite kind of dog?

How did you learn how to do all of this cool stuff?

Did you have musical training or is it all natural talent?

My favorite kind of dog is a nice dog.

I studied classical piano for 11 years, and classical violin for 8 years, and did 2.5 years of jazz voice training. So a combination of both?

Reggie, I have always wanted to learn how to make noises with my mouth. Can you make an instructional video on how to do that?

I would, but then you wouldn't get to discover it on your own like I did!

What's the worst thing you can say about Scott Aukerman?

The worst thing about him is that he is unfortunately unable to walk through walls.

I was wondering, what are your favorite effects pedals?

The Line 6 DL4, and the EHX 45000!

Hi Reggie! First off I'm a huge fan ever since I saw Fuck Shit Stack, but it wasn't until I watched your Humor in music at PopTech, that I realized how amazingly talented you are.

I was wondering how much of those songs and your routine during that performance was previously written, or did you improvise most of it? Thanks!

I improvise all of it, and thank you very much!

Can I have one of your sweaters please?

Sure, when I'm done with it.

hey reggie, just wanted to know if you have any pets? if so what kind

I don't have any pets. I have 2 plants. I don't know what kind of plants they are, they're green and they hang out.

Have you ever done any painting or visual art? I'd be curious to see what it looked like.

Yes, in highschool I was in AP art. I specialized in graphite and lithography. It's not anywhere online really. But that might change.

What current/new musicians/bands do you think will stand the test of time?

In new music - I'd say Feist, Van Hunt, TV on the Radio, Kendrick Lamar.

You seem to really know a lot about electronic music, from your musings on dubstep and moist beats to that warehouse beat you make with your throat sometimes. I was wondering what your relationship has been with it in your music-making and listening careers? Do you like to go to electronic shows and clubs often? Thanks and much love

Yea, I used to go to electronic / dance clubs very very often - I don't as much anymore, but I did go last week and it was amazing to hear some tech-house again - and so I draw a lot of inspiration from electronic music, always. The club i went to was called Output in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Hey Reggie! I am big fan. I was just wondering what's the funniest movie(s) you have ever seen?

I would say THE WRONG GUY (it's a David Foley movie) and WANDERLUST and YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN.

will you be playing any british festivals this year? i cant help but think glastonbury would suit you down to the ground. such a magical place, such a glorious wizard. ^{_^}

Yeah, I will be but I don't know which they are. I'll keep you guys posted.

I am a big fan of your music, your beatboxing-type stuff in particular. I'd just like to know where you get inspiration.

I get it from music my friends listen to, things i hear on the radio, really anywhere i hear music and machines.

Hey Reggie, very excited about Jash. What can we expect to see from you? Solo stuff or will there be interaction with the other fine Jash folks?

Yes, there is going to be a combination of stuff I want to do and stuff that I end up doing collectively with the other members of Jash. Check out If You're Fucking!

is there someone who you've always been an an admirer of who has in these years past become an admirer of you? like joe pesci maybe?

Yea... Ken Marino. I was always a big fan of his, STELLA SHORTS, WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER, THE STATE - anything he has been on, he has been nothing short of knocking it out of the park - I've never seen him do a not-good job ever. He's just a genius. I don't know what it is, he plays a dick but he has such a huge heart and you can always feel that. He's amazing.

Do you have a nickname for the little green machine you use?

It's called the Lime 6.

I absolutely love your ability to combine ridiculously funny and unconventional humor with serious musical talent. that bit with the never-quite-right microphone stand gets me every and every damn time.

Based on some of your performances and your uncanny ability to channel UK MCs in all their cheeky glory, I have to assume that you're at least familiar with dubstep, drum & bass and bass music in general (how else would you know that Skrillex was the one artist that ruined dubstep.)

so, are you really a fan of the genre? what are your favorite types of music for general purpose listening and/or sweater shopping?

also, thank you for being you and bringing this style of humor to the masses.

Haha - yeah I'm a big fan of UK electronic music, and was a huge D&B fan in the 90s - I still am, and I like also like dubstep but all great music gets assimilated into the mainstream. Dubstep can be really great, and it's just frustrating when all music genres eventually get absorbed into the mainstream, but you gotta keep fighting for the underground and not get too frustrated.

Just came here to say hi! My gf and I love you, we saw you perform at glasslands in brooklyn a few months back. You're awe insipiring.

ALso, do you ever play with thumbjam (iphone app). What's your favorite iphone app?

I do play with thumbjam - my favorite iphone app is probably everyday looper. And thank you very much for your you-ness!

Has another other stacks been effective for you other then the ole fuck-shit?

Also, you are awesome.

Stacked records have been pretty effective.

I'm sure your already answered this, but what is the music that is the best to prepare yourself for a gig?

Front 242 is pretty good to listen to, or Nitzer Ebb.