In this episode of the Only Bombs! Comedy Podcast, Yaqiao and I sit down for a full interview about how she found stand up, learning to write and tighten jokes, developing confidence on stage, reading different audiences, crowd work, touring, Kill Tony, and what she has learned from building her comedy career her own way.
What I really liked about this conversation is that Yaqiao doesn't talk about comedy like there is one perfect path. She talks about learning through experience, protecting her own voice, adjusting to the room in front of her, and continuing to work on the craft. When I asked about the support system behind everything she does, she summed it up better than I ever could: "No...just me, my drive, and my spirit.”
🎤 Thank you to Yaqiao Yang for coming on Only Bombs! and sharing her story. I really enjoyed having her on the podcast and getting to hear her perspective on comedy, performing, creativity, and everything that comes with trying to get better at this.
-Trey
Follow Yaqiao Yang
🔗 Instagram: @yang_comedy
🔗 YouTube: @yangcomedy
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💣 Instagram: @onlybombspod
💣 YouTube: @onlybombspod
CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro: Yaqiao Yang
02:16 Moving From China to America and Culture Shock
06:51 How Yaqiao Found Stand Up Comedy and Her Comedy Style
16:39 Florida Open Mics, Her First Headlining Show and Learning the Craft
22:27 Joan Rivers, Kill Tony and Developing Stage Confidence
25:20 Reading the Room, Touring and Different Comedy Crowds
30:08 Crowd Work, Hecklers and Unexpected Reactions
34:19 How Yaqiao Writes and Tightens Jokes
38:14 The Reality of the Stand Up Comedy Grind
41:11 Goals, Perfectionism, Social Media and the Art of Comedy
54:23 My Drive and My Spirit: Independence, Support and Peace
56:23 America vs. Asia: Lifestyle and City Life
1:00:46 Upcoming Shows and Final Thoughts
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