Who is Brian Redban?
Brian Redban is a stand-up comic, producer, co-host of the podcast and live-streaming YouTube show "Kill Tony," founder of the Deathsquad podcast network, and a co-owner of the Sunset Strip Comedy Club in Austin.
TLDR — Key Topics and Moments
- 01Brian Redban discusses the evolution of Kill Tony from a podcast to a massive live touring operation
- 02Conversation about the comedy scene in Austin and how it's transformed over the years
- 03Redban talks about building the Deathsquad podcast network and managing multiple shows
- 04Discussion of the challenges and rewards of co-owning the Sunset Strip Comedy Club
- 05Insights into podcast monetization and the business side of content creation
- 06Stories about memorable moments from Kill Tony live shows and audience interactions
The Show
Joe brings on Brian Redban, the co-founder of Kill Tony and driving force behind the Deathsquad podcast network, for a deep dive into comedy, podcasting, and building a comedy empire. Redban has come a long way since his early days co-hosting the JRE, and this episode captures the full scope of what he's accomplished in the comedy space.
The conversation centers heavily on Kill Tony's explosive growth from a simple podcast concept into a touring phenomenon that sells out massive venues. Redban breaks down how the show evolved, what made it click with audiences, and the logistics of taking comedy on the road at that scale. He's candid about the business side of things, explaining how podcasting and live comedy tours actually make money and what it takes to sustain that kind of operation.
A significant portion of the episode focuses on the Austin comedy scene and how it's completely transformed. Redban reflects on the early days when Austin was just starting to develop its comedy infrastructure, and how the scene has matured into something that can compete with Los Angeles and New York. He talks about the Sunset Strip Comedy Club co-ownership and what goes into running a venue while also trying to maintain creative energy.
Redban is refreshingly honest about the podcast network side of things too. Managing multiple shows, different personalities, and keeping the Deathsquad brand cohesive while allowing creative freedom is a balancing act he's clearly had to figure out on the fly. He shares war stories about memorable Kill Tony moments, difficult shows, and the unexpected viral moments that made the show what it is today.
Throughout the conversation, there's a real appreciation for how far podcasting has come as a medium and how comedians can now build sustainable careers without traditional gatekeeping from networks or studios. Redban embodies that independence, having built something from scratch that now generates significant revenue and cultural relevance.
Key Moments
Best Quotes
"Kill Tony started as just a fun thing to do, but it became something way bigger than we ever imagined"
"The Austin comedy scene used to be sleeping, now it's competing with LA and New York"
"You have to actually care about the show and the audience, not just the money, or it falls apart"
"Podcasting gave us the freedom that we never had before to build something on our own terms"
"Live comedy is the only thing that can't be faked or filtered, it's real connection with people"
Products and Books Mentioned
Everything brought up in this episode — linked to Amazon.
Deathsquad Podcast Network
AmazonPodcast network founded by Brian Redban that hosts multiple comedy and entertainment shows including Kill Tony.
Kill Tony
AmazonLive comedy roast show and podcast co-hosted by Brian Redban that tours extensively and airs new episodes regularly.
Sunset Strip Comedy Club
AmazonComedy venue in Austin, Texas co-owned by Brian Redban that hosts live comedy shows and performances.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
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Full Transcript (click to expand)
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