Local artist profile: Ash Greblo

Let’s start out with a curly one. Is comedy a form of art?

Yeah dude, comedy is more art than actual art. I met Monet once and he said he only painted because he couldn’t tell my barramundi joke.

What motivated you to get into comedy?

It’s so silly but I’d had a few beers and made a joke to a local comic without knowing who he was. He then invited me to do a gig and as I was in radio at the time. I thought it would be something fun to talk about on air. I loved it so much though and just kept trying to get gigs.

Can you describe your comedic style?

Before my first set, I wrote five minutes of observational comedy but it was just terrible, and the day of the gig I was really freaking out. I told some of the jokes to my girlfriend and she confirmed it was terrible, I was freaking out even more. But then she said just tell a story. So I told this really embarrassing story about getting catfished on the internet by my mate Brad (shout out Ando!). It went really well and from there I just kept telling dumb stories.

Which comedians inspire you?

To be honest, no big names, I’m more inspired by Aussie acts I see at gigs each week. Also, a few years ago, a guy walked into the McDonalds I was in, straight to the front of the line, rubbed his hands together, had a whiff of the air and said “hmmmmm how’s the Maccas today?” and I have never laughed harder in my life.

What are some fond memories you have from your career?

Every comedy festival I have done has been amazing, but one time I was booked to do my first ever Crab Lab, which is a pretty prestigious gig in Melbourne. I was already pretty nervous but on the way I got a message asking if I could host the whole show.

I was absolutely freaking out the whole time but just before I walked in, Norah Jones’ Turn Me On played on a street that has never played music before, and I know this is before the gig and you’ll wonder how it went, but that moment right there is the one I’ll never forget.

What have you been working on lately?

I have a new show in the works for the Bendigo Comedy Festival, it’s called Lava Run and The Big Diplodocus. I think one of the best jokes I’ve ever written will close out that show but at this stage it’s really 50/50 on how it goes each night, so honestly, I’ve just been distracted with that one joke.

Anything special on the horizon?

I know I already spoiled it previously but yeah Bendigo Comedy Festival is back. I can’t announce the acts right now but keep October 13-17 free and maybe even take the Monday off!

I also have The Gong Show on the last Sunday of the month which is a really fun open mic comedy competition I host. I absolutely love it – it’s like the movie Dodgeball, A True Underdog Story as it is also a true underdog story and sometimes Vince Vaughn is there.