Chapter Two: The Calm Before the Storm

Podcast

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Storm Xu is a comedian and the owner of a local comedy club. One of the very few comics who can perform in both English and Chinese, Storm is making a name for himself on the Chinese stand-up comedy scene as he deftly navigates between languages and cultures to connect with his various audiences.

5:21: Hip-hop influence

10:15: โ€œMaking itโ€ as a comedian

15:00: Bilingual comedy

19:55: Letโ€™s not talk politics

24:44: Performing under censorship

Music credits:

โ€œAnalytical Skeletons,โ€ by csus; โ€œSNOWDROPโ€ and โ€œTake It Easy,โ€ byย PIANO FLAVA; โ€œEarly,โ€ by Freshboiii; โ€œxmpty,โ€ by lofee; โ€œHip Hop Instrumental Bpm 117,โ€ by Terri Skillz; and โ€œD E C E M B E R,โ€ by Sachko.

Storm Xu on social media:

Websiteย |ย Instagramย |ย Twitter

Works consulted:

Q&A with rising Chinese comic Storm Xu ahead of March 10 Salud gig, by Kyle Mullin;ย Heard the one about Asiaโ€™s comedy scene? First, youโ€™ll need a permit, by Charlotte Graham-McLay;ย Melbourne Comedy Festival’s Dashan, Andy Curtain and Storm Xu are China’s stand-up pioneers, by Angus Grigg;ย Whatโ€™s it like being a comedian in China, BBC Funny In Four; andย Can stand-up comedy succeed in China?, by Robert Foyle Hunwick.

Comedy clips:

A STORM HITS LONDON;ย Storm Xu stand-up;ย Storm Xu – Comedy Show in a Military Base; andย Comedian Storm Xu – Learning English from Biggie Tupac and Wu Tang Clan.