Comedian Joey Ficken
DG’s Tap House, Ames — Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 9 p.m.
Joey Ficken, a comedian at the center of the growing Ames comedy scene, celebrates the release of his comedy album, That Wind Has Been Blowing For Years, with a stand-up show tonight at DG’s Tap House in Ames. The show features Ficken alongside other Iowa comedians including Iowa City’s Daniel Frana and Spencer Loucks. The album is Ficken’s first and also the first comedy album to be released by the Ames-based record label, Nova Labs.
Though it’s hardly unique for a comedian to tell self-deprecating anecdotes about himself, Ficken sets his comedy apart with his unabashed delivery. While talking about his personal struggles with drugs and alcohol, his thoughts about his weight and appearance and his observations about the eternal art of masturbation, Ficken maintains his confidence. His humor derives not just from poking fun at himself, but also from being brutally honest with his audience. This attitude, paired with a great set of jokes, makes him a thoroughly entertaining comedian.
Coming off a prolific first year, Nova Labs is kicking off Nova Laffs, a new sub-label devoted to comedy, with Ficken’s album. The record label hopes to record albums with other Iowa comedians in the near future. With the Nova Laff and the launch in February of a comedy series by Ficken at the Iowa Music Store, an Ames record store and venue started last fall through a partnership between Nova Labs and Maximum Ames Records, the future of the Ames comedy scene looks quite promising.
