Matt Kemple is a busy man. When he’s not producing theatrical events and comedy showcases at the Underground Collaborative (which he founded and manages), he’s booking nationally known comedians like Godfrey, Nick Thune, Neil Hamburger, and (on April 4) Andy Kindler at venues around town as part of his Milwaukee Comedy endeavor. This August, Milwaukee Comedy Festival—which Kemple founded and produces—will turn 11 years old. Later that month, he’ll co-produce the inaugural Milwaukee Fringe Festival, which he co-founded as well.

Kemple somehow found enough time to get away from the office to join host Tyler Maas at Milwaukee Record‘s uncharacteristically noisy work space to discuss his various ventures, the struggles he (and the city’s entertainment realm in general) faces, the origin of Milwaukee Fringe Festival, and how helping organize raves in his youth still informs the way he puts on a show today. Beware of a few wacky tangents the returning guest/fellow comedy fan and Maas go on occasionally. Sorry!

As always, this episode is brought to you by our friends at Ale Asylum, which was enjoyed on air. Music in this episode comes courtesy of Piles (“Blue Glue”) and Juiceboxxx (“Walking In Milwaukee”). Subscribe to On The Record via iTunes or Stitcher (for free!)