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Keith Lowell Jensen

A quiet storyteller hiding a punk ethos under a cardigan.

1 special · 2018

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Keith Lowell Jensen refuses to yell. He takes the stage with the unhurried energy of a guy who just ordered a pot of tea and plans to occupy the booth until it is empty. He speaks at a slow, conversational clip, letting a premise hang in the air before circling back to attach a punchline. He leans on the mic stand, often wearing a cardigan and a flat cap, drawing a quiet room into a long narrative without ever raising the temperature.

Specials

  • Bad Comedy for Bad People

    Cynical but warm storytelling on capitalism, parenting, and teen depression.

    Stand Up! Records · 70 min

On stage

He occupies a comfortable lane in the Northern California indie comedy scene. He is the comic for aging punks, atheists, and public radio listeners who want an hour of standup without feeling attacked. He bypasses the aggressive rhythms of the traditional club circuit, opting instead to build an audience through a steady output of indie albums and DIY touring.

He builds bits out of his daughter, his vegan diet, and how people treat each other. He casually drops heavy obscenities into earnest observations about homelessness or civil rights. The contrast works because his tone never spikes. He recounts the time he had to explain death to his toddler with the same flat, mildly amused cadence he uses to complain about capitalism. Because the delivery is so deeply relaxed, a listener hoping for a sharp, immediate punch might find themselves waiting. The laugh does not explode; it creeps up.

His youth in the Sacramento punk scene of the late eighties drives his worldview. The ethos of that era remains visible in how he performs, trading club polish for plain conversation.

Turning points

  1. 2014–2016

    Hulu Pickup of Atheist Christmas Special

    Jensen's holiday-themed standup special Atheist Christmas was licensed for distribution on the Hulu streaming platform.

  2. 2017–2018

    Viral Nazi Debate Sparks Skyhorse Book Deal

    After actively debating the ethics of punching white supremacists online, Jensen signed with Skyhorse Publishing to write Punching Nazis: And Other Good Ideas about his time in the Sacramento punk scene.

At a glance

Born
Style
storytelling, observational, satire, autobiographical
Breakout
To the Moon
Influences
Emo Philips, Steve Martin, Richard Pryor, Andy Kaufman
Topics
Elsewhere
Website, Wikipedia

Fans also like

  • Johnny Taylor

    Frequent stage partner and podcast co-host who shares Jensen's Sacramento punk-scene comedy roots and personal storytelling sensibility.

Podcasts

  • Keith Lowell Jensen presents The Keith Lowell Jensen Show with Keith Lowell Jensen · host

    A solo interview podcast where Jensen explores the creative process with guests and artists he admires.

    Apple Podcasts

  • It's Funny Because · co-host

    A comedy craft discussion and interview podcast co-hosted with Johnny Taylor featuring local and national standup comics.

    Spotify · Apple Podcasts

Also on screen

–
Lopez Tonight Impersonating Chris Rock for Chris Rock