6 minute read
Nikki Glaser: Speaking Her Truth With a New Voice
NIKKI GLASER:
Speaking Her Truth, With a New Voice
Just over 20 years into her comedy career, standup comic, revered roast-master, podcaster, and reality TV host Nikki Glaser has gone and done the unexpected – she’s started a career in music.
Now, before cynics brush off the idea of a comedian taking the huge risk of attempting to become a legitimate singer-songwriter, they should hear Glaser’s voice, which she showcased on national TV when she placed third on this season of FOX’s “The Masked Singer.”
Performing as “Snowstorm,” she reached the semifinals, only losing to Wilson Phillips and season eight winner Amber Riley, after performing songs by Ariana Grande, Carly Simon, Katy Perry and Kelly Clarkson.
“By the time I was unmasked, they had already said I might be Sabrina Carpenter or Olivia Rodrigo,” Glaser said of her experience on the show. “So I was already being compared to good singers when they didn’t know it was me. It was the perfect way to earn my chops and have no one go, ‘What is this comedian doing? Singing love songs?’”
Glaser told REVUE that her foray into singing actually started back during the pandemic, when she moved back home with her parents in St. Louis for 10 months, which was documented on her E! reality series “Welcome Home Nikki Glaser.”
“I always wanted to be a singer,” Glaser said. “But I think that I’m also someone who’s not very comfortable with sincerity and emotions. So, comedy was just a natural way for me to get that same kind of catharsis out, but not be too sincere, because sincerity kind of makes me cringe and go like, ‘Who do you think you are?’”
When COVID-19 closed up all the comedy clubs in 2020 and took that outlet away from her – after constantly getting up onstage, staying busy performing and all over the country years – Glaser returned to music with her father, who’s a singer, and picked up a guitar to get her feelings out another way.
Working with her best friend and opening act, singer-songwriter Anya Marina, and her tour manager who’s in the band The Natural Lines, Glaser quietly created an album, and eventually released a song inspired by her friend and mentor Bob Saget shortly after his passing last year. She got scorned by the comedy community for doing so, and she put her dream on hold until she had the opportunity to prove herself on “The Masked Singer.”
“Luckil,y when I perform stand up, I have a mask of makeup on that helps me feel very confident,” Glaser said. “Dressing for the part really helps. That’s why I dress like Taylor Swift on my tour. It just makes me feel like a star every night, because I’m still kind of like pinching myself that I’m getting to do these amazing theaters around the country.”
During the filming of “The Masked Singer,” Glaser discovered that she actually needed vocal cord surgery. So before heading back out and doing comedy, she underwent the procedure and had three weeks of recovery where she couldn’t talk at all.
“That three weeks of recovery was terrifying, because I have not shut up for more than three hours before,” Glaser said. “I thought I would really have some kind of existential crisis or discover something about myself. But I just learned it really made me appreciate how funny I actually am, because I think, like most artists, I doubt myself even at this thing that I clearly am very successful at. I kind of have imposter syndrome sometimes.”
In addition to getting validation from Jeff Tweedy and Wilco, who appeared with her in an episode of Apple TV’s “Carpool Karaoke” late last fall, Glaser got a big boost of confidence just days before our interview, when she met Jerry Seinfeld for the first time as both comedians performed in Atlantic City.
“We’re walking through the bowels of the casino, and I get over to his greenroom and he greets me,” Glaser said. “And he was like, ‘I’m such a fan, I’ve watched everything you do. I pull up your YouTube clips all the time whenever I want a laugh. And you’ve got it, girl, you have the voice...’
“So ever since that day, I felt like whenever I doubt myself, Jerry Seinfeld likes me and I can’t doubt him. So he must be right.”
| by Eric Mitts
NIKKI GLASER THE GOOD GIRL TOUR
Kalamazoo State Theatre, 404 S. Burdick St., Kalamazoo Jan. 19 and Jan. 20, 6 p.m. doors, 7 p.m. show, $43.50+ (269) 345-6500, Kazoostate.com
Seinfeld is not alone in admiring Glaser’s work, including her latest hourlong special, “Good Clean Filth,” now streaming on HBO Max. In i,t she candidly discusses sex, fame, family, and reality TV in in a way not intending to shock, but to be open and honest.
“That’s the trick to doing comedy,” Glaser said. “If you want to be funny, just say what is true for you. Even if it’s not right or it’s wrong. As long as you’re not coming from a hateful place, just say what’s true. And it will always be funny because everyone, everyone is putting on a mask. Everyone is trying to present a different way. Even if you don’t even think you are, if you just say what’s true, it’s the funniest.” ■
THE WINERY DOGS
Coming to DeVos Performance Hall!
Vibrant powerhouse trio The Winery Dogs will be live in concert Monday, March 13, 2023 on the DeVos Performance Hall stage.
The American rock supergroup is comprised of band members; Richie Kotzen, Billy Sheehan and Mike Portnoy.
Following a seven-year break from the studio, The Winery Dogs are back in full force with their aptly named third album III, which is set for release on February 3, 2023 on the band’s Three Dog Music label (via Burnside Distribution/The Orchard) on CD and all digital formats—a vinyl edition of III will also be forthcoming in just a few months. III was self-produced by The Winery Dogs and mixed by longtime band associate Jay Ruston. From the clarion call for connection and societal understanding in “Mad World” to the dooropening personal realizations of “Breakthrough,” to the undeniable muscle-flexing reign of the white-hot “Pharaoh” and the albumclosing energy spillage of “The Red Wine,” all 50-plus minutes of III prove The Winery Dogs haven’t lost a step when it comes to conjuring fresh hooks, gutbucket grooves, and bold harmonies.
As III handily proves with each successive listen, just like a fine wine given the right amount of time to ferment and to breathe, The Winery Dogs keep on getting better and better with age.
Prior to the Winery Dogs, all three members have had successful careers with other bands. Richie Kotzen is known as a former member of bands Poison and Mr. Big, as well as having a consistent solo career with many albums released. Billy Sheehan is known for playing with Steve Vai, David Lee Roth, Talas, and Mr. Big. Mike Portnoy is known for being the original drummer of bands Dream Theater, Flying Colors, Transatlantic, Neal Morse Band, Sons of Apollo and Adrenaline Mob.
Tickets are on sale now for the March 13 concert at DeVos Performance Hall and may be purchased at the box office or online at ticketmaster. com. Purchase tickets in person at the DeVos Place box office, open Monday through Friday 11:00AM – 3:00PM and during select event hours. Ticket prices are subject to change. For current ticket prices, visit ticketmaster.com. Ticket prices may vary, as market pricing applies to all tickets. Prices may fluctuate based on supply and demand.
