2013 DIGIFAM SPEAKER: Simon Cadel

This is a series of interviews with the speakers of Digital Family Summit 2013, October 11-13.
Read all of the speaker interviews
See a list of our speakers
See our full schedule
Register for the conference

Simon Cadel started performing stand-up comedy two-years ago while at Long Lake Camp for the Performing Arts. He took comedy classes in Manhattan at The Gotham Comedy Club where he performed in showcases, and developed a real passion/addiction for making people laugh. Videos of his performances and original songs which were posted on YouTube led to bookings at The Comic Strip Live and New York Comedy Club for prime weekend shows alongside established adult comedians. He’s been described as a comedian who “happens to be a kid,” not a “kid comedian.” His material is smart, observational, and high-energy, inspired by some of his favorites: Brian Regan, Demitri Martin and Jim Gaffigan. Recently he was approached by the casting folks at America’s Got Talent to audition for their upcoming 9th season. They found him through YouTube. Their search term? “Kid Comedian.” Proof that social media, plus content, can make a big impact.

youtube: http://www.youtube.com/simoncadel

What blogs do you read regularly?

Smosh and Tobuscus have nailed the material for their young, male, teen audience. Their videos are silly, not slick, and hilariously inventive and funny. It’s great  to see that content is far more important that production value–although both groups have become such YouTube sensations that they are far more polished, but without losing their edge.

Memes are a constant source for inside humor about topics that interest me. My iPhone is filled with those, not selfies. Being around funny makes me funnier. 

Any advice for young bloggers?

I should take my own advice, but putting out content frequently is really important, and also find your niche. 

Do you have any hobbies other than digital media creation? What are you passionate about? 

 I’m not an expert about video games, but I love the gaming culture and love playing indie, fighting and role playing games. I’m not a fan of sports video games–big surprise. I also play bass and ukelele and love coming up with original songs like “Why isn’t XBox Live Free and Batman vs. Superman.” Both on my YouTube channel.

What’s next for you after the Digital Family Summit?

I will be opening for the Stand Up for Peace comedy event on October 19th at The Purple Crayon in Hastings, NY. It stars two well-known stand up comedians–Dean Obeidallah and Scott Blakeman–each with their own unique take on politics, American and the Middle East in the spirit of The Daily Show. Tickets are available at: http://www.purplecrayoncenter.org/calendar/event/252/

I will be performing at The Gotham Comedy Club on November 24th at 3pm.

And, my audition for America’s Got Talent is on November 17th, so cross your fingers!

Who are your Creative Heroes?

 Online content creators like: Smosh and Tobuscus. Comedians: All of them, but especially Brian Regan, Jim Gaffigan and Dimitri Martin. Hearing how they craft jokes, build on ideas and pick over a topic until it is little more than a carcass teaches me a lot. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 Adam Gertsacov is the co-founder and co-organizer of Digital Family Summit.  He wears many hats, including those of a professional clown, an author and publisher, an artist/educator, a non-profit administrator, a P.T. Barnum impersonator, a flea circus impresario, and the esteemed hat of the Clown Laureate of Greenbelt, Maryland.