Harley Breen has a lot of strings to his bow – as well as being a stand-up comedian, he’s a podcast host (Shitting with the Door Open), actor (Fisk and other shows), and radio and television personality whose face is familiar to many viewers from appearances on programs like The Project and presenting roles. His bio note describes him as “the immediately recognisable and relatable image of the unpretentious Aussie male”.
This month, Breen will be garnering laughs for a good cause as headliner of the annual Mental Health Month stand-up event Laughter is the Best of Meds, hosted by Lori Bell and also featuring fellow comedians Mickey D, Bobby Macumber, Josh Warrior and Kushi Venkatesh.
I read an interview you did about Taboo, the Channel 10 show you hosted, in which you commented that mental illness is pretty common among stand-up comedians: “I don’t think you have to have a mental health issue to be a comedian, but I’d wonder what you’re doing here without one!” Why do you reckon this is?
I think it takes a certain “bent” head to do comedy. If there’s any unifying quality of comedians, it’s that we look at things differently. And that’s often a result of a born innate attribute coupled with some form of previous trauma. I just don’t personally trust a comic who is “normal”… whatever the hell that is!
What’s the main thing you learned from speaking to people with lived experience of mental illness for that particular episode of Taboo?
The thing that stuck out to me the most was that despite having a diagnosed mental illness, it doesn’t automatically mean you have shared lived experience and will connect [with others who have a similar diagnosis]. The diversity of mental illness is as diverse as those that have one.
Comedian Harley Breen in action.
Most people would agree that comedy can be cathartic, but how do you walk the line between funny and offensive when it comes to sensitive – or taboo – topics?
I can and will only answer this from my own perspective. It’s really important to me that anything I say on this topic isn’t read as a rule or a guide for anyone else. This has to be an individual journey and decision.
So that being said, I focus on funny and work back from there. I’m not overly concerned about people’s offence. I also don’t go out of my way to achieve it. I think there’s been a lot of “noise” about things like PC culture, cancel culture and that comics can’t say anything any more. That’s absolute rubbish.
I can and have said whatever I’ve wanted to say. Sometimes it doesn’t hit, sometimes it does. Sometimes people are offended. That’s okay. I had someone offended at me recently because I have long hair… clearly that’s for that person to deal with, not me. And it’s even longer now.
You’ve mentioned previously that your strict religious upbringing helped turn you into a funny man – how so?
This in part goes back to your first question. There’s some trauma related to growing up in organised religion. It added to my anti-establishment, anti-authority bent. But then there’s also the unavoidable fact that I grew up watching my dad perform every Sunday to a live audience for 20 years. That will inevitably stick in your brain. I just remember thinking: “I could take this crowd!”
At least ministers don’t generally get hecklers. What’s the worst/best heckle you’ve ever received?
Well, you might be surprised. Christians can get pretty rowdy.
I’ve had heaps of heckles. I’ve even had them tattooed on me live on stage. But the worst heckle is always disruptive inaudible behaviour. When the room is just a mess of noise and you can struggle to get the focus back. I’d like to take the time to say to future audiences: Just sit down and be entertained, and if you don’t like it, get up and piss off. But I guess if you just can’t help it, yell something out – you’ll most often lose. We have microphones!
The title of the Mental Health Month comedy night you’re headlining is Laughter is the Best of Meds – why is that true?
I don’t know if it is. I certainly don’t want to undermine the night – I’m pumped to be involved. But I’d say the best meds are a combination of a lot of things. Firstly, when it comes to mental health, absolutely seek professional help!
But in terms of what’s best for maintaining a healthy mental state, regardless of where your mental health is at, it’s threefold for me: sleep, diet/exercise, and community. Ya gotta get sleep! What we put in our body absolutely affects our brain and when I say exercise, I just mean something, anything that connects you with nature and calms the nervous system – a walk in the bush is my thing.
And finally, a strong community will lift you up in any situation. It is imperative and is sadly being decimated by the way our world is moving more and more into individualism. We cannot do this life on our own. And we were never meant to!
Have you ever struggled with your own mental health? How do you try to look after your mental wellbeing?
Absolutely. Sometimes daily, sometimes hourly. Other times I’m good for weeks. I follow my own rules answered above. I try to get sleep, I eat really well, and I get my feet on the ground and breath. I also seek the help of others… mates, family, even my dog has to hold me occasionally .
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Where’s your happy place?
My brother’s farm called Echo Valley, if you wanna look it up. It’s a beautiful part of this country. There’s 600 acres to lose myself in. I get there as often as I can.
Laughter is the Best of Meds is at the Arkaba Hotel on October 10 as part of Mental Health Month.
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