My Life with Keith and The Girl

I posted about this podcast here and there, and I talk about it a lot on twitter and facebook, but I figured I would give it a proper write up and why they are so important to me, for those who don't understand why I'm into it or look at it as an "obsession".

I first discovered KATG my freshman year of college. My birth mother was in her office, and a friend of hers had the KATG theme song on his Myspace page. She listened to it over and over, each time howling with laughter. Naturally, I walked in to find out what all the commotion was about. She showed me and played it for me, and I was intrigued almost immediately. "What is this? Who are these people?". Naturally, when I get back to campus, I looked them up. It brings me to their myspace pages. I see that the female host Chemda Khalili was an accomplished singer songwriter and had a beautiful voice. Her male counterpart, Keith Malley, was an America loving, no sleeve t shirt wearing stand up comedian. Again, I ask myself "Okay, so what's this Keith and The Girl thing?". I then navigated to their website and listened to several clips from previous shows. I died laughing with how hilarious they were. Even then, I wasn't quite sure what they were about or what they did. I let it sit for a while, then finally looked them up again and discovered they produced a daily podcast based out of NYC. I downloaded my first episode shortly after, and I have been a dedicated listener ever since.


The show is an amalgam of many different topics ranging from news stories, interviews with musicians, actors and comedians, to celebrity gossip and ridiculousness. They are consistently engaging and interesting, and just when you think you've figured them out, they take a left turn and leave you on your ass laughing uncontrollably. Keith and Chemda are incredible hosts, interviewers, and business people and are constantly progressing to further this show as a powerful comedic juggernaut that has become their full time job (when they started the show, they worked as children's party clowns). They have (as of this blog post) collectively released almost 1500 shows, 2 books, countless comedy CDs and DVDs, an annual weeklong party in April (Keith performs a stand up CD/DVD taping once a year, Chemda produces it.), live shows, marathon podcasts (the largest being 76 straight hours long), creative and awesome merchandise, close to 100 KATG related body mods/tattoos, and an ever growing fanbase with more than a million downloads a month.

KATG has been there for the best and worst times in my life, and has taught me a lot about myself. They have opened the door to stand up comedy with the likes of Pat Dixon, Trey Galyon, Jesse Joyce, and many others. Throughout my deepest and darkest depression and thoughts of suicide, KATG was always there when I needed a good laugh. When my grandfather died, they (and the friends I made through their forums and community) were there. When I moved out for the first time, they were there for the 8 hour drive to my first apartment and the many hours I spent looking for a job. They taught me many life lessons, like being more assertive and taking charge of my own life. As people, they became an inspiration. They are a prime example that no matter what your passion is, you can make it a career, and I have taken that advice and inspiration as I try to further myself as a musician and recording artist. In a short matter of time, they have become my idols. I finally got to meet them in April of 2011, when I traveled to NYC for Keith's annual birthday stand up CD/DVD taping and party week and it was a huge high point in my life.

KATG has become a huge part of my life, and after many years of listening, I joined the ranks of superfans when I got my first tattoo a couple years ago, which was a Keith and The Girl tattoo, (I was number 64, but the number has grown to almost 100 KATG-related body modifications.) and I plan on getting many more. I spread the word on Facebook, Twitter, in conversation, and even slip stickers in with my demo CDs when I play shows. Some may call me a nerd, a geek, that i'm obsessed with these people that I don't know. That may be true, but I can honestly say that Keith, Chemda, and their show have truly changed my life for the better, and I will always be a listener. If that makes me a nerd or somewhat obsessed, so be it.

I suggest you become a part of the incredible community. You'll like it. I promise.

Listen. Join the forums. Get a tattoo. Join the movement.

www.keithandthegirl.com