Josie Long interview
Multi-Edinburgh-award nominee, BBC Radio regular and delightful optimist Josie Long brings her latest and arguably most personal comedy show to Brighton. Victoria Nangle talks family, politics and vanity-searching yourself on the web
Hi Josie, how are you today?
Hi! I’m good thanks, hope you are too!
Yes I am, thank you.
‘Cara Josephine’ is being touted as your most personal show to date. When I first found out I was going to be an aunt I immediately tried to move to a home that would allow my niece to visit – even though she hadn’t been born yet. What’s the most surprising thing the arrival of your niece has evoked in you?
I just was not prepared for the visceral amount of love that I have for her. I just LOVE her so much that I don’t know what to do with all of the feelings. It’s wonderful. And that brings such an excitement about what she will grow into and what her life will be like. So I recommend it to everyone!
You’ve mentioned your family in previous shows, more specifically your sister. What is the best thing you’ve benefitted from by having your sister in your life?
My sister and I are quite different, she’s much more practical and no-nonsense than I am. I think we both like having someone so important in our lives with such a different perspective. I really look up to her, she’s very brave and independent and a great mum. Also she can drive so she gives me lifts quite a lot if I go to Kent.
#Everydaysexism, #illridewithyou and others seem to reflect a grassroots social media movement against the prejudice and aggression growing in a financially poorer society. Do you see this as part of a constant gathering of momentum for the positive, or a sad indictment of the current status quo?
I don’t really see them as either, I think. There will always be things to fight and there will always be so many people doing good things to fight them and building things for the good. I try and take heart from the good things and hope to do what I can, if that doesn’t sound too wanky. I think saying that society is building wholeheartedly towards progress or falling into the abyss isn’t helpful either way, because there is always so bloody much going on! The online stuff has been great though.
Comedians usually comment upon injustice or lack of opportunities – whereas you have actually addressed these with the establishment of the Arts Emergency Services. Such a great thing to exist. How difficult was it to set up and publicise?
Thank you! It wasn’t difficult. Although it’s been hard work, it’s been one of the most rewarding and awesome things I’ve ever been involved with. It’s all really down to Neil the co-founder who works incredibly hard to build it up. It exists to help young people study and pursue lives spent doing what they’d love to do, and to defend studying and making arts of all kinds. I think we have been lucky because so many people have identified with the cause and given us support.
You’ve collected rave reviews for many years now, yet very much give the impression of marching to the tune of your own drum. How important are reviews to you, and – to butcher a quote – are some reviews more equal than others?
I don’t read reviews because I think they can get in your head, and, even if they are good ones, they can confuse you as to what you’re doing and why. I am always a bit wary about asking for feedback – I tend to only ask a few people who I really trust. I think stand-up can make you a bit of a control freak – you sort of develop your own internal voice that tells you what to keep in or take out and I find reviews can muddy that judgement. Having said that, it’s really lovely if people like what I do and there are some reviewers I really respect so I’m chuffed if they like my stuff.
Family has moved to front and centre in this show, along with heartbreak. If you could give Josie from ten years ago a piece of advice, what would it be?
Oh god. It would be … be less cagey about saying yes to things and never vanity-search your own name on the internet!
And what do you hope for the Josie of ten years in the future?
I just hope that I am happy and hopeful and all of that hippy nonsense. My dream is to make some films and write better stand-up shows each time.
What’s the next thing you’re looking forward to doing?
I’m hoping to make a feature film in the summer. I’ve spent the last 18 months developing the script and now hopefully we will be able to get the money and make it happen.
