Mary Mack might be one of the most-endearing people in stand-up comedy. Her humor often mixes sweetness, sarcasm and music, rolling it all into a single erratic set that leaves audiences everywhere in tears. Currently, she has put the music portion of her show on the back burner so she can focus on material that will find its way into a book shes writing. Macks infectious, soft-spoken Wisconsin charm has been featured on TV, including on Conan, Last Comic Standing and Adult Swim. She took a few minutes over the course of a drive from Bismarck to her home in Minneapolis to chat with LEO before making her return the stage at The Bards Town next week.
LEO: How is your drive going?
Mary Mack: Im still in North Dakota, and I dont want to leave. They have a public radio station here called Prairie Public Radio, and Im totally addicted. Theyre playing [the TED Radio Hour], so now my panic attacks are going to go up tenfold, because there are so many ways to die that I didnt know about. So thats how its going.
Youve spent a lot of time in Louisville. Is there anything that sticks out about being here?
Yeah, I spent a birthday working at [Comedy Caravan] in Louisville. And it was such a good birthday, because all of the good restaurants on Bardstown Road. I did nothing but eat all day. And I went to, probably, three coffee shops and walked around Cherokee Park. Its such a fun place in the country to go. Aw, good memories. Im in my 13th year of touring, and a lot of comics dont get as excited about seeing these towns that I get to go to. And I think that comes from growing up in a town with one restaurant and nothing like what you all have. When you grow up on a dirt road in the middle of nowhere, even this many, many years after growing up like that, I still get excited to see whats in a city.
So youre writing a book.
Which, Im way behind on. Thats why Im taking a break from the music, because Im working a lot of those stories out on stage, and its taking my whole hour-long show to do it. But, its like, after spending so long writing pages about yourself or your family or essays, youre like: Ugh, I dont want to be this self-aware anymore. I just want to sing a dumb song and have a good time.
Im sure you get asked about comedy influences a lot, but you were a musician first who inspired you musically?
Definitely John Prine. But you know who inspired me a lot was Jonathan Richman, the guitar-player guy from Theres Something About Mary. I saw him perform in a little bar in Minneapolis. He was pretty widely-known as being a folk musician, so I think I paid 10 bucks to come in and see him perform for a couple of hours. And he didnt stop smiling the whole time. His joy of just being there and being on stage. He really looked like he was appreciating the moment, and the fact that we were all experiencing this together, and that it will never be repeated exactly like this. I have constantly been striving for that to let people know that I appreciate the fact that Im there. Now Im overly concerned about the audience: Are you having fun? Hows the parking? Are you getting drinks? But I really am happy to be there, and I want them to know it.
That is a great lesson to find the joy in what youre doing.
Yeah it really is. Even if you havent slept, to just keep going, and find that thing that makes you happy. And for me, its to make other people happy.
Do you think being one of six children affected your sense of humor?
Oh yeah, because you learn that life isnt fair, so make the best of it. And there was a lot of storytelling around the campfire where I listened a lot more than I talked.
Even talking to you now, you seem to have such a sweet, calm disposition do you ever just explode with rage?
[Laughs] Oh, yeah. I dont sleep well, so I have a lot of those days. But Id feel so bad about it, I tame myself before I even have those thoughts. My guilt complex kicks in before I can even think that way. Its my Minnesota/Wisconsin guilt. My immediate reaction to conflict is to apologize immediately.
MARY MACK
Thursday, Nov. 3
The Bards Town
1801 Bardstown Road | 749-5275
$10 | 8 p.m.