Eugene Mirman

by Jason AnkenyAbsurdist standup Eugene Mirman was a leading light of the New York City alternative comedy scene, earning a cult following in indie rock circles for his performances in support of bands including Yo La Tengo, the Shins, and Modest Mouse. Born in the Soviet Union in 1974, Mirman was four years old when his family immigrated to the U.S., settling in Boston. After graduating from Hampshire College, where he architected his own major in comedy, Mirman launched his standup career at small Boston venues like the Green Street Grill before relocating to New York City in 2000. One of the first comedians to embrace the Internet as a new creative platform, he soon attracted national attention for his website eugenemirman.com, home to the Marvelous Crooning Child (an animated image of a toddler-age Mirman singing classic rock favorites) as well as many of his short films. Multimedia clips also emerged as a critical element of Mirman's stage act, and his 2004 debut album, The Absurd Nightclub Comedy of Eugene Mirman, was released as a CD/DVD package. Like many standups of his generation, Mirman eschewed traditional comedy venues in favor of indie rock clubs, regularly opening for musical acts as well as the Stella troupe. With Bobby Tisdale and Holly Schlesinger, he also produced the weekly alt-comedy variety showcase "Invite Them Up," and in the spring of 2006 released his first Sub Pop effort, En Garde, Society!