Shameless Plug is a new series where we turn things over to creatives. In exchange for plugging their project, they have to spill their guilty pleasure, biggest inspiration, personal motto and a few other secrets. Today comedian and engineer Henry Yan tells us about his wet socks, mum, and favourite artwork, Pokemon Ruby.
Henry Yan is from Mount Roskill but currently based in Melbourne. He says his art is “done by putting the right words together in the correct order, and if achieved correctly it may generate an idea which is so silly and goofy that it will elicit joy,” while others say “Henry’s comedy uncovers the quirks of everyday life and his unique perspective on the world's absurdities.” While Henry has plenty of awards and accolades, he says his biggest achievement is having good family and good friends that help him enjoy life, and in turn he shares this with everyone else. “It has enriched my life to be joyful,” he says.
Here is the comedian's Shameless Plug.
My favourite local artists (that I don’t know) are Aaron Chen and Sam Campbell. They have both innovated the genre of comedy so much and their styles are so unique – I personally enjoy things that are weird and off-beat. I am tired of normal, when there are no boundaries being pushed.
My guilty pleasure is watching Sean Collier stand-up comedy reels. He appears very right-wing but his ideas are all very left-leaning which is an interesting contrast. It allows us to see the world from someone who acts conservative, but has deeply thought about a lot of political issues. In essence, I enjoy how his brain works, he is very intelligent and cares very much about this world. I aspire to be like him but I know I can never be as I have my own strengths so I am content with watching his show and imagining.
The one Aotearoa arts event I never miss is the lantern festival, by FAR. Although, ever since it moved to the Domain, and then the Manukau Sports Bowl, things have changed. I feel like a Boomer but take me back to Albert Park. You are supposed to feel squished in with no room to breathe. Bring the lantern festival back to Albert Park!
My personal motto is: dreams were made to be lived. But so many are just slept on. Isn’t that wild, you dream a lot of nights of the thing you want to be, but you wake up and think, it’s too hard.
My all time favourite artwork is Pokemon Ruby. If you have not experienced this interactive film, you must give it a go. Your starter better be Treecko because who doesn't love a gecko.
The place I feel most creative is after a gig when I take a shower. The shower is so good because it’s one of the places which reminds me, I need more pressure, specifically shower head pressure. Also my Dad is a plumber so if you need anything fixed, contact me on instagram @_henry_yan
My biggest inspiration is Guy Montgomery, he is the goat. If you have not watched Guy Montgomery: Guy Montgomery By Name, Guy Montgomery By Nature, then you are just some guy who hasn’t seen a guy named Guy Montgomery perform Guy Montgomery: Guy Montgomery By Name, Guy Montgomery By Nature.
An artwork I wish I had made is Allbirds shoes, best shoes in the world. I have sweaty feet, which means any shoe I wear makes my feet drenched, until I tried Allbirds – I had never felt so free. People complain about wet socks in the rain, I get wet socks in the dry, but not with Allbirds.
My hottest career hack is: you gotta talk to people. I struggle a lot with networking but yeah, I think you have to do it. So if you wanna network with me please talk to me at help@allbirds.co.nz
The best place in my city is the ramen joint Tanpopo on Anzac Avenue in Auckland. One time they had to shut down for an extended amount of time during Covid and I was scared because what if they shut down for real? Like do they need financial support? I need to break in every night to fill up their cash register. But I am also broke so please we need to break in as a community and fill up their cash register.
The best thing about being in the arts is being able to show everyone that creativity is something that everyone has. I am an engineer and I do the arts, which is crazy to think but this just shows that everyone has something creative in them.
My shameless plug is my show in the NZ Comedy Fest, Mum Wants A Girlfriend (For Me?). It's on 12 – 16 May in Wellington and 19 – 23 May in Auckland. Basically, it's about how my mum is worried about me finding love, so I have put on a comedy show to alleviate her fears! If you are single, or enjoy words, please come!
