Jay Islaam interviews award-winning comedian Johnny Sorrow, who hails from the Black Country and is considered one of the Godfathers of the alternative comedy scene in the Midlands. Johnny won the prestigious Malcolm Hardee Award for Comic Originality at the Edinburgh Fringe, on his first ever visit to the festival, back in 2011.

In this interview he talks about how he stumbled upon the open mic circuit back in 2004, and was taken aback by its punk ethos. He explains why he chose to go down the route of character comedy. He also recounts his experience of performing at the legendary Holly Bush, in Cradley Heath, back when it first started running comedy shows.

Johnny also recalls his experiences of performing at the Edinburgh Fringe, and the best and worst parts of being part of the festival. He tells me about his career plans – or rather his lack of them. And, finally, he has advice for anyone wanting to become an alternative comedian, and the merits of shunning the mainstream.

You can find out more about Johnny Sorrow by following him on Facebook and Twitter.

(The Comedy Cannon podcast with your host Jay Islaam.)