Why Bar Shows Are a Nightmare for Comedians | Andrake West
In this episode of the Seriously Lighthearted Podcast, we sit down with rising Seattle/Tacoma comedian Andrake West — one of the freshest voices in the Pacific Northwest comedy scene. You can catch him performing at the Tacoma Comedy Club and at venues all around the region.
From bombing at bar shows to headlining legit venues, Andrake shares his comedy journey, behind-the-scenes struggles, and how awkward moments shaped his voice on stage.
We dive deep into what it’s really like coming up as a local comedian — the grind of open mics, tweaking material for tough crowds, and surviving chaotic bar gigs. He also opens up about his time with the They’re Just Jokes sketch crew, wild roast battles, and whether comedy really is therapy.
📱 Follow Andrake West:
Instagram: / andrakewest
🎤 Andrake West will be headlining "Ha Ha Tuesdays" at Tacoma Comedy Club (6th & Proctor) on January 27 — don’t miss it!
Tickets here: https://www.tacomacomedyclub.com/show...
If you love:
-Stand-up comedy
-Local Pacific Northwest comedians
-Behind-the-scenes looks at comedy culture
-Raw convos with up-and-coming comics...
🎧 This episode is for you.
🔥 Episode Highlights:
00:00 – Introduction and Appreciation
01:34 – Unexpected Comedy Show Experiences
02:30 – Dealing with Disruptive Audiences
06:08 – Starting a Comedy Career
08:23 – Influences and Inspirations
11:42 – Jokes That Should Kill... But Don’t
17:04 – Sketch Comedy and Standup
26:09 – Therapy and Getting Things Off Your Chest
26:56 – The Rush of Performing and FOMO
27:53 – Determinism vs. Free Will in Comedy
29:09 – The Grind of Stage Time and Open Mics
30:24 – Opportunities and Challenges in the Comedy Scene
33:20 – Upcoming Shows and Best Places to Perform
44:46 – The Therapeutic Power of Laughter
49:48 – Final Thoughts and Upcoming Shows
📌 Upcoming Show:
🎟️ Ha Ha Tuesdays — January 27
📍 Tacoma Comedy Club (6th & Proctor)
🕗 Andrake West Headlining | Hosted by Bo Blast
🔥 Featuring: Donald Robert
🎶 Live music
👉 Grab your tickets now! https://www.tacomacomedyclub.com/show...
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#AndrakeWest #SeriouslyLightheartedPodcast #StandupComedy
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#HaHaTuesdays
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✅ About Seriously Lighthearted Podcast.
Welcome to the Seriously Lighthearted Podcast! Hosted by Money, Cakes, and Butta, we spotlight comedians and creators from Seattle, Tacoma, and across the Pacific Northwest.
Each week, we sit down with the region’s funniest and most creative voices for seriously lighthearted conversations about comedy, creating, and navigating life in the scene. Whether it's open mic horror stories, behind-the-scenes moments, or the grind of building a name in PNW comedy — nothing’s off-limits, and everything’s up for a laugh.
We’re here to support the community, share stories that matter, and have a good time doing it. If you're into comedy, culture, and real convos with rising talent — you’ve found your people.