Meet Matthew Brandt | Magician, comedian, entertainer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Matthew Brandt and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Matthew, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I’m not sure I had much of choice in it. Creating is this every day process that I just naturally do and for whatever reason I gravitated towards magic. Magic doesn’t exist unless you’re doing it for another person. So, for me to be who I am I need to perform and entertain.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I don’t think I set out to be a performer, I just felt compelled to do this thing that I love and was lucky enough that others seemed to enjoy it. I would like to think I’m funny, I love making people laugh. I have a decidedly non-serious approach to life. I never try to do what others are doing, at the same time I’m not trying to be different for the sake of being different. I do effects that I enjoy doing and tell jokes that I enjoy telling and, I believe it is that authenticity that the audience connects with.

Was it easy? no. But was it hard? also no. It took work and preparation. I had to learn this concept of effort through non-effort. When I would “try hard” things just didn’t happen. However, when I put that aside and just committed to learning and practicing without any goal in mind other than being ready when opportunities arrived, that is when I found success.

UnProfessional Magic, is a little bit of performance therapy for me. After all, laughter is the best medicine. For most of my career as a magician, I had a day job too. It was probably my sensitive artist ego, but I felt that having a day job somehow made me less magical. Despite not having a legitimate claim as a starving artist, I liked having health insurance and 401k. I had to learn that I could perform just as well as a full-time, professional magician.

Now I embrace that I’m not a professional, I’m an unProfessional magician. My new show is a bit of tongue-in-cheek. It is satire of modern magical stereotypes, while still delivering amazing feats that respects the art.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well first, my show. I’m not sure I can be friends with someone who doesn’t enjoy my magic. It also happens to be in a wonderful local neighborhood brewery, Long Table Brewing.

The antiques district of South Broadway, I love walking in the shops looking for fun and unusual items. I particularly like The Odditorium, Fifty-Two 80’s, and every used book shop is a must.

Head over to Stranahan’s and sample some whiskeys get some cocktails and if it is the weekend enjoy the live music.

Other than magic, I love food (cooking and eating) and golf. There are some really wonderful courses in Denver. It is just a great way to be outside, enjoy the sunshine and play a game.

William and Graham, great cocktails, great food, and a speakeasy… oops am I even supposed to talk about it.

Take the dogs to the Cherry Creek Dog park. It is my pups favorite place.

Escapology is a super fun escape room/bar downtown. We can go solve some puzzles and after enjoy some good food, drinks, and other games.

I am a Colorado Native, so what follows is going to be controversial. We are not going hiking. There are many, many, other ways to enjoy the beauty of the state without roaming aimlessly around the wilderness.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have to give a shout out to the Mile High Magicians Society. After joining that organization is when I really started to grow as a magician. I found a mentor and teacher, and I was able to collaborate with other magicians. Through the connections I made I’ve been given so many opportunities I wouldn’t otherwise have.

Website: https://www.matthewbrandtmagic.com

Instagram: @unpromagic

Image Credits
na