Ian Edwards, Conan O'Brien's '100% Half-Assed' Comedian, Dishes On Being Team Coco's First Record Label Artist [EXCLUSIVE]

It was just about a handful of years ago that late night legend Conan O'Brien completely reinvented himself with the brand Team Coco. Since having done so, and totally taken over the Turner Broadcasting System (TBS), O'Brien has become a symbol for not only what the digital age can do for an artist but also a beacon of inspiration, showing just how important it is to be driven. Having faced a highly publicized amount of rejection and struggle back when NBC kicked him off of The Tonight Show, it seems the comic has decided to begin giving back to those who have opted to fight the good fight and lay their roots as professional comedians.

To support the up and comers, Team Coco has developed a record label for comedians, aptly titled Team Coco Records, which plans to highlight the comedians they see as "on the rise" and offer more creative control as well as a larger cut of his or her profits.

Ian Edwards will be the first comedian to release an album via Team Coco Records. His debut, 100% Half-Assed, drops this coming Tuesday, June 10.

"It's definitely an honor," Edwards exclusively tells MStarsNews. "I think people will take notice; that's always the hope. To have someone like Conan and Team Coco Records confirm that I'm 'funny,' it's pretty cool."

Though Edwards' 100% Half-Assed is his very first album, the comic from New York is surely no stranger to the stage, having been performing since his early 20s. And while he's had multiple successes over the years, Edwards claims that doing CONAN was a definite "benchmark" for his career, "When I started comedy, the last thing I was going to do was give up. You never know what your family is thinking when they have a kid who went to college but ends up doing comedy. When you spring something on them that they don't know how it works, it's hard," Edwards says. "But, they do see comics on television. When it's you, at least it puts them at ease. They start believing you're on the right track."

Perhaps because of Edwards' obvious respect for the late night host, it seems only appropriate that it would be Team Coco to release his debut album.

The comedian, who is also a writer on the CBS series Two Broke Girls, has been called "the best and most underrated comic in the industry" by famed Curb Your Enthusiasm star JB Smoove, and now, Ian Edwards talks to MStarsNews about what it's like being the first stand up comedian on the Team Coco comedy label. 

MStarsNews: Congrats on being the first comic on the Team Coco label! How did they approach you about it?

Ian Edwards: Thanks man! It's an honor. It was real simple, actually. The last time I did CONAN, I was in the dressing room, and JP Buck, the show's talent coordinator who holds showcases for comics, was sitting next to me. He goes, "Hey, we're thinking of doing a comedy label. I'm wondering if you had ever thought about doing an album and if you'd like to with us?" It was that simple.

At the time, my manager and I were talking to some other labels but when we heard about this it just made so much more sense. We didn't even know they were starting up a label, to be honest. It was all just great timing.

MS: Why do you think they chose you as the first?

IE: Because I'm amazing! Come on, man. [laughs] I honestly don't know why but I'm just glad they did.

Ian Edwards Performs on CONAN

MS: The album is 100% Half-Assed and it's your debut. But you've been doing comedy since your early 20s. Why wait so long to record a debut album?

IE: That's why the title is 100% Half-Assed; it took me so long. [laughs] I probably should have done one earlier but I think now is a good time for me to release one.

MS: I'm wondering if waiting so long ultimately helped you because you've given yourself time to find a voice and put out a piece of material that is quality.

IE: I do think it helped me to a degree. Essentially, being 100% half-assed has been good to me. Maybe it can help anyone? [laughs] Kids, being lazy will ultimately help and should be the goal for everyone!

MS: [laughs] It seems there are a few celebrities out there who are creating labels for other people in their fields to allow you to retain most of the creative control and profits. As examples, people like Conan, Jack White with Third Man Records and Dave Matthews with ATO Records. As someone on one of those labels, do you feel that's helping artists?

IE: Oh, absolutely! Being a comic, I could easily put out an album, but I think doing it with Conan will cause more people to pay attention to it. Some comedians put out an album and it just dies. That's heartbreaking.

I think people like Conan, who are starting these labels, are definitely helping us comedians along the way. I'm so thrilled that they're backing me on this. It's very cool.

MS: It sort of validates what you do, to a degree. He's saying, "Hey, everyone should look at this guy!"

IE: I think you're right. And as a comic, it's normal to get frustrated when you see a hack comedian, but you also get frustrated when you see just how many funny people are out there, because that just means it's going to be that much more difficult for your voice to be heard. There are a lot of funny people in the world, so I think guys like Conan, and everyone at Team Coco Records, who are helping us along the way, I think that can only be a good thing. 

MS: I think it's safe to say being the first comic on Team Coco Records' makes you a rather well known name. So, what's next for you?

IE: I'm hoping to one day either produce or have my own show. And I don't really care which it is because I just love show business. As long as I'm doing something that's quality and it's some funny-ass work, I'm cool with it!

Ian Edwards Stand Up – Mixed Race Girls

Be sure to follow Ian on twitter (@IanEdwardsComic), download a free sample from 100% Half-Assed and purchase his album on Team Coco Records this Tuesday.