Brandon Ash-Mohammed on Coping with Anxiety

Brandon Ash-Mohammed has carved out a real name for himself in the Canadian comedy scene. From his recent appearance on CBC’s Because News to his hit album Capricornication; his sassy, whimsical comedy has captured audiences. Chris Middleton spoke with him about what’s coming up for him.

How did you get started in comedy?

I found the Humber Comedy Program through Debra DeGiovanni and thought it looked interesting. I spent an extra year of high school preparing to go to comedy school, which was just me doing homework with the Comedy Network in the background, hoping to absorb something. I actually never intended to do stand up, I fell into it. I remember being too scared while I was at Humber, but we had to perform stand up and that’s where I realized I was, you know, good.

I wanted to be on Saturday Night Live and remember thinking you needed to be young. I thought Lorne Michaels would be like, “He’s 20? Don’t let him in the door! I need you to be 19 or it’s over!” Now I don’t care about credits as much, because I’ve accomplished a lot. When you first start out you think one thing will solve all of your problems and learn, it doesn’t mean that much.

What’s the project you have coming up that you’re the most excited about?

My Theatre Centre Residency, because I get to work on this project I’ve had weird dreams about. 

It might change, but the idea I pitched to them was the story of my break from comedy. It’ll be three acts that include the buildup, breakdown, and the comeback. I want to tell elements of this story through different mediums. I had this secret Tumblr blog I used to write very dramatic things, and I’m going to try incorporating that. There’s also going to be a musical element, because I never use my music talents. We’re still in the early stages, but I’m excited to discover this journey and do a staged production of a one man show.

What was the catalyst for stopping comedy?

My anxiety, coupled with the fact that a lot of my friends turned on me suddenly. When I was 20, my friends were like “we hate Brandon,” and I couldn’t deal with it so I left.

I went back to school for a hot minute. I was looking into either becoming a pharmacist or a veterinarian. As I was preparing for that, I realized it was so hard! It would’ve taken me the same amount of effort to do comedy, and I was just like “What am I doing with all this?” That’s when I dropped out of school and came back. 

The anxiety is not as bad now. Before I wasn’t able to watch comedy. But forcing myself to confront things I’m terrified of has helped. I have to make a conscious effort to do things that scare me. Growing up also helped. And not drinking or smoking weed so much.

How do you stay motivated?

I’ve been doing this for 10 years, and nothing has changed. I’ve created opportunities for people of colour and queer people that are viable because no one is doing the work. So what keeps me motivated is knowing no one’s going to do the work of including people like me except for me.

Also, spite. I’ve done so many things out of spite, because I have so many instances where I ask to be on shows I thought would be inclusive of me, only to be rejected. That’s why I’ve created something better than whatever they had going on, and now they’re mad.

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Follow Brandon and his career at brandon.lol