Maxon is a Singer-Songwriter, and Co-Founder of independent Peninsula record label Sandhill Records. As an artist, Maxon spent her early teens years running in and out of studios, writing and recording original music with her then vocal coach and release artist Cheryl Beattie (Warner Music, 1999). A two-time recipient of the Mornington Peninsula Development Arts Grant, winner of the Green Wedge Songwriting Comp and City of Melbourne Grant Recipient, Maxon's ability to shatter yet heal hearts with her raw creations and powerful depth simultaneously makes any listener feel instantly seen, understood and coaxed into the light. An LGBTQIA+ creative powerhouse fluent in fusing Americana with 70s folk- rock and a modern sheen, Maxon's relationship with music spans beyond the studio and the stage. From devouring John Mayer's Room for Squares on CD on a family road trip through to rapidly developing her own love for singing and songwriting, Maxon has since gone on to share stages and lineups with the likes of Tones and I, Ella Hooper, Alex Lahey more, and has also appeared at major festivals including St Kilda Festival and Melbourne Fringe. Maxon's long-awaited debut album Talking With Strangers is now out as well as her song Little Blue! We chat about her love of music, sound healing, lessons from being a music teacher, learnings from being on TV, authenticity and being true to yourself, performance, red flags, her new album, opening up + plenty more!   Check Maxon out on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsmemaxon/ Website: https://www.itsmemaxon.com/ 'Talking with Strangers' Album: https://gyro.to/TalkingwithStrangers?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGn2no0tPM8xMPs-jj3aDNBJB-CzPwQHbpRARbvraW43fVtaviqG7HJ8uVVIKY_aem_b7ziEdd_VnT75udmS7cbzA ------------------------------------------- Follow @Funny in Failure on Instagram and Facebook https://www.instagram.com/funnyinfailure/ https://www.facebook.com/funnyinfailure/

Sashi Perera is a Sri Lankan-Australian comedian, writer and former lawyer, based in Melbourne. After working with refugee organisations around the globe, she moved to Melbourne to do her masters and fell arse backwards into comedy. She's now one of Australia's fastest rising comedians. In 2023, she was nominated for Best Newcomer at Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Since then, she's sold out shows in six countries, opened for Hannah Gadsby and made a slew of television appearances including Channel 10's Have You Been Paying Attention? and ABC's Guy Montgomery's Guy-Mont Spelling Bee. Sashi's comedy shows have wowed audiences all over the world, and her debut novel 'Standstill' was released to widespread acclaim in 2025. Links are below! We chat about being a refugee lawyer, calling off her wedding, her wonderful book, going viral, fertility and mental health, learning to love your body, new material nights, being flown to perform at a wedding in Rome, rage and breaking the cycle, fake wedding speeches vs authentic speeches + plenty more! Check Sashi out on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sashbomb/ Website/ tickets: https://www.sashiperera.com/shows Book (Standstill): https://www.penguin.com.au/books/standstill-9781761350085 Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sashicomedy Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sashicomedy ------------------------------------------- Follow @Funny in Failure on Instagram and Facebook https://www.instagram.com/funnyinfailure/ https://www.facebook.com/funnyinfailure/  

Ariana and the Rose is a singer, songwriter from New York. She is a synth-pop artist known for her '80s-inspired sound, theatrical flair and honest storytelling. Having previously opened for Cyndi Lauper, shared the stage with Lizzo, played keys with Coldplay on SNL, and with over 15 million music streams and 70 million views on her viral Piano Chat videos, she's cultivated a dedicated global following. Now, Ariana and The Rose is extremely excited to make her Australian debut. The Breakup Variety Hour, a blend of 80s-inspired pop music, cabaret and comedy for its Australian debut at the Sydney Comedy Festival. A bit about the show: The Breakup Variety Hour is a glitter-soaked, neon-lit journey through the six stages of heartbreak – and the live counterpart to her album of the same name. The show is about putting yourself back together after heartbreak and society's relationship to dating and the cultural discussion around being single. We chat about growing and evolving, intuition, her unique style, filling her first 600 seater show and how she did it, when things go wrong on stage, synth, learnings from breakups and making a show about it, going on vocal rest for 6 months + plenty more! Check Ariana out on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arianaandtherose/ Sydney Comedy Festival: https://aucentury.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/161545 Edinburgh tickets: https://assemblyfestival.com/whats-on/the-breakup-variety-hour Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5HgPIUp6b7DVdhWK3tkl83?si=1wjjyTY1T1OfJgDK4FrR5w&nd=1&dlsi=c19773d5c9a746d1 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Arianaandtherose Merch: https://store.arianaandtherose.com/collections/products ------------------------------------------- Follow @Funny in Failure on Instagram and Facebook https://www.instagram.com/funnyinfailure/ https://www.facebook.com/funnyinfailure/  

Flynn Gurry is an Australian singer-songwriter. His brand new single and music video Bones is now out plus he has an incredible new EP Gold. To commemorate the upcoming release of Gold, Flynn will also embark on a tour (currently on) set to stun with his unforgettable live show that has previously seen 4ZZZ praise him as "a charismatic performer who knows how to engage an audience". Raised against the coastal backdrop of Warrnambool, Victoria, Flynn Gurry has catapulted from busking on Melbourne streets through to performing with the likes of Ian Moss, King Stingray, Ash Grunwald and Kim Churchill as a solo artist, while also relentlessly enamouring with his sparkling acoustic guitarwork, magnetic pop sensibilities, honeyed vocals and folk-hued charm. Winning triple j Unearthed's One Night Stand competition in 2024, which saw him perform alongside G Flip, Ruel, What So Not and many more in his hometown Warrnambool, Flynn has since ticked off being a triple j Unearthed feature artist, supported The Dreggs and Pierce Brothers nationally. He has appeared onstage at the likes of Beyond The Valley Festival, Port Fairy Festival, Queenscliff Music Festival and BIGSOUND, signed with Cult Artists for bookings and Woolstore Music, aka the management company helmed by indie folk icons Pierce Brothers, and inked a deal with ABC Records in 2025. A timeless artist and storyteller with a sharp sense of identity and modern allure, Flynn Gurry's music has continued to find him in demand both at home and on overseas stages. But in 2026, another spectacular chapter will take flight via the release of Gold, and, as Flynn concludes, these are songs geared to stay with you long after the stage lights have dimmed. We chat about busking and the national busking championships, his new EP + bones, his great imagination, intuition, playing music for his dad, collaboration plus plenty more! Check Flynn out on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flynngurry/ Website/ TOUR DATES: https://flynngurry.com/ new EP GOLD: https://orcd.co/fg-gold Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0pzf8SC9LZitjezOxsVrNG?si=con4S-JGTqG9hTdtXr09qQ&nd=1&dlsi=8f50b279b147416c Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@flynngurry ------------------------------------------- Follow @Funny in Failure on Instagram and Facebook https://www.instagram.com/funnyinfailure/ https://www.facebook.com/funnyinfailure/

SONYA WALGER is an actor, author, writer and podcaster. She most recently starred in Apple's sci-fi series FOR ALL MANKIND as astronaut "Molly Cobb," and the horror/thriller film NEW LIFE. She also can be seen in Amazon's NIGHT SKY opposite Sissy Spacek and J.K. Simmons, and Epix's GET SHORTY with Chris O'Dowd and Ray Romano. Sonya is perhaps best known for her role as "Penny" on ABC's hit series LOST as well as other series including FLASHFORWARD, THE CATCH, TELL ME YOU LOVE ME, and MIND OF A MARRIED MAN. Sonya's novel LION was published in February 2025 by The New York Review Books. Her new novel, WIFEHOUSE, will be published by Union Square Books April 7th 2026. We chat about her love of books and full time writing, Lost, her new book Wifehouse, intuition, auditioning, being invited back to shows, waiting for the phone to ring and empowering yourself, friendships, the power of journaling + plus more! Check Sonya out on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonyawalgerofficial/ Website: https://sonya-walger.com/ Wifehouse Book: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/sonya-walger/wifehouse/9781454963301/ ------------------------------------------- Follow @Funny in Failure on Instagram and Facebook https://www.instagram.com/funnyinfailure/ https://www.facebook.com/funnyinfailure/

Emmanuel Sonubi is an award winning stand up comedian , TV personality, presenter, actor and writer. He is one of the UK's most in-demand comedians, whose rise through the UK comedy scene has been rapid and widely celebrated. Since making his debut in 2016, he has progressed from open mic nights to headlining major venues and hosting the iconic BBC stand-up showcase Live at the Apollo. You may have also seen him on QI, Celebrity Mastermind, The John Bishop Show, Comedy Central Live, Pointless Celebrities, Have I got News for you, Unforgiveable, The Stand Up Sketch Show + more. Known for his commanding stage presence and razor-sharp storytelling, Emmanuel has received significant industry recognition. His show was nominated for the Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Show in 2023, following a Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Newcomer nomination in 2022. He has also been nominated for Chortle Award for Best Club Comic and won Mervyn Stutter's Spirit of the Fringe Award for Best Show in 2025. Following a sold-out run at the 2025 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, UK comedy powerhouse and two-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Emmanuel Sonubi returns to Melbourne with his powerful show Life After Near Death. The show runs from 7th to 19th April playing at the Melbourne Town Hall,  In Life After Near Death, Emmanuel recounts surviving heart failure — and living to tell the tale. A deeply personal, refreshingly honest and outrageously funny take on life, facing the cause of trauma and finding unexpected comedy in the toughest moments. One of the UK's most in-demand comedians, Emmanuel Sonubi seamlessly blends earnest stories and big laughs, with an unstoppable energy and razor-sharp wit. Don't miss your chance to see this masterclass live in Melbourne!  We chat about being a bouncer and the reason why he left, nearly dying and health journey, never having a bad gig, unique start to comedy, speaking up and not arguing, quitting entertainment and why he came, writing joke journals for his kids, doing an hour set with 20 minutes material, not lying, envy plus plenty more! Check Emmanuel out on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmanuelstandup/ Website/ shows: https://www.emmanuelstandup.com/ Melbourne Comedy Festival tickets: https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/emmanuel-sonubi/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emmanuelstandup ------------------------------------------- Follow @Funny in Failure on Instagram and Facebook https://www.instagram.com/funnyinfailure/ https://www.facebook.com/funnyinfailure/

Anthony Locascio is a stand-up comedian, actor & podcaster. Since beginning stand-up in 2017, he has written and toured a new full-length show every year, with highlights including Don't Call Me a Wog! (2022), Heart of Darkness (2023), and the critically acclaimed Pappou (2024–25). Pappou toured twice around Australia and internationally to London, New Zealand, Canada, and New York, before being filmed at a sold-out Enmore Theatre and released on YouTube in 2025. His debut special Confirmation (2020) was distributed worldwide by Comedy Dynamics on Amazon Prime and Apple TV. Anthony has sold out seasons at Sydney Comedy Festival, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Adelaide Fringe, Perth Comedy Festival, and Brisbane Comedy Festival, and was hand-picked for the prestigious Sydney and Perth Comedy Festival Gala showcases in 2021 and 2022. Alongside his live work, he has appeared on Triple J's Hack, SBS Sport, beIN Sports, Today EXTRA on Channel 9 and Sunrise on Channel 7, and performed or hosted major events including the Greek Festival of Sydney and the Italian National Ball. In 2025, he also curated and hosted the inaugural Greek Australian Comedy Gala and the Italian Australian Comedy Gala. Self-managed from the start of his career, Anthony has built a loyal following online and on stage, working across comedy clubs, community festivals, corporate events, and screen projects for brands such as Nando's, NexGard, and Pedestrian TV. His mission is to challenge clichés around "wog comedy," representing his Greek and Italian heritage with a modern, nuanced voice that resonates far beyond those communities. Divine Comedy is now out! Blurb below: World Tour. Sold-out Enmore Theatre. Dream wedding on the horizon. 2025 was set to be the best year of Anthony's life - then everything fell apart. With his heart in ruins, desperation (and destiny) pushed him into a Vipassana meditation retreat. The Divine Comedy is the story of ten gruelling days of silence, where Anthony journeyed to the depth of his mind and battled the hive of evil clowns behind his lifelong misery, and somehow returned with his soul intact. We chat about acting, 10 day silent retreats, radical honesty and accountability, love of musicals, integrity, pain, misery, honesty and suffering, acceptance, big mindset and mental shifts, love of musicals  + more! Check Anthony out on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/locash.comedian/ Website: https://www.anthonylocascio.me/ Melbourne Comedy Festival: https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/anthony-locascio-the-divine-comedy/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/locash.the.comedian/ ------------------------------------------- Follow @Funny in Failure on Instagram and Facebook https://www.instagram.com/funnyinfailure/ https://www.facebook.com/funnyinfailure/

Thor Stenhaug is a Norwegian born, London based standup comedian and actor. He regularly performs in some of the biggest comedy clubs across the UK. He is a Channel 4 Sean Lock Award Finalist and he had a completely sold-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe 2025 with his debut show "One Night Stand Baby". Thor has headlined top comedy clubs across the England, and recently completed a run at Soho Theatre, London. Thor has offered tour support for Vittorio Angelone, Fern Brady, Josh Widdecombe, Larry Dean and Jack Dee, and was shortlisted for British Comedian of the Year - despite not being British. Thor will tour One Night Stand Baby across the UK, Australia and more! We chat about being a one-night stand baby, being a Harry potter walking guide, practising small talk, learning English, sneeze breaks, stories from writing for the local newspaper, being a comedy doorman in Norway, the rule of Jante, his Melbourne shows, bombing & silence, tours plus plenty more! Check Thor out on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thortellsjokes Website: https://www.thorstenhaug.co.uk/ Melbourne Comedy Festival: https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/new-order/ ------------------------------------------- Follow @Funny in Failure on Instagram and Facebook https://www.instagram.com/funnyinfailure/ https://www.facebook.com/funnyinfailure/  

Luke McQueen is an award-winning stand-up comedian, writer and actor, who you will have seen on 'The Moth Club', 'Comedians Giving Lectures', 'The Stand-up Sketch show' and 'Roast Battle'. Luke has written and starred in a number of short films over the years, with his performance in 'Last Dates' receiving an honourable mention at the LOCO film festival and his film 'Trevor' receiving a special commendation the following year. More recently Luke was cast for a small role in Nicolas Cage movie 'The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent' and he's just wrapped filming a starring role in 'Hostages', a debut feature from director Jim Owen. Luke will also be in Melbourne for the comedy festival performing his hit show Comedian's Comedian. Check it out! Links below. We chat about someone putting things in his football boots, directing and acting, his many comedy pranks, Edinburgh and long tour runs, forgiving your enemy, pressure, not being invited on the comedian's comedian podcast and making a show about it + more! Check Luke out on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrlukemcqueen/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MrLukeMcQueen Melbourne Comedy Festival: https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/luke-mcqueen/ ------------------------------------------- Follow @Funny in Failure on Instagram and Facebook https://www.instagram.com/funnyinfailure/ https://www.facebook.com/funnyinfailure/  

Ravi Patel is a powerhouse multi-hyphenate; Emmy-nominated writer, director, and actor — lighting up screens in film and television as one of the entertainment industry's most dynamic and in-demand talents. Ravi currently stars as Amit Patel in Animal Control, FOX's #1 comedy, returning in a lead role alongside Joel McHale which has been renewed for a 5th season.  On the unscripted front, Ravi brings his signature charm and comedic energy to LEGO Masters Jr., FOX's new child-friendly competition series hosted by Kelly Osbourne which is out. The four-week special event features Ravi alongside fellow celebrity partners Andy Richter, Jordin Sparks, Porsha Williams, and Alison Sweeney, teaming up with young contestants in a high-spirited, creativity- fuelled challenge. Ravi also continued his FOX unscripted takeover participating in one of television's most extreme challenges in Special Forces: World's Toughest Test (season 4), an intense, unscripted series that pushes celebrity participants to their absolute limits — physically and mentally. On the film front, Ravi recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of his groundbreaking documentary-style romantic comedy Meet the Patels, which he co-directed and starred in alongside his sister, acclaimed director/producer Geeta Vasant Patel. Blending real-life footage with animated sequences, the award-winning film struck a chord with both South Asian and broader audiences for its authentic, humorous take on bicultural identity and modern dating. One of the most streamed documentaries of the past decade, Meet the Patels also led to a narrative remake opportunity with Fox Searchlight Pictures. Ravi also created and hosted the critically acclaimed HBO Max docuseries Ravi Patel's Pursuit of Happiness. He co-created, wrote, and starred in the Netflix India comedy Bhaag Beanie Bhaag, and served as a writer on CBS' Ghosts. As an actor, Ravi has been featured in hit television series including Master of None, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Scrubs, Grey's Anatomy, Children's Hospital, Three Women, Justified, and Transformers. His film work includes Come As You Are; Long Shot (with Seth Rogen and Charlize Theron); Wonder Woman 1984; The Valet; Harold and the Purple Crayon; and Disney+'s Dashing Through the Snow. He has also appeared as a guest on Real Time with Bill Maher, Name That Tune, and Netflix's Is It Cake? Outside of entertainment, Ravi is the co-founder of This Saves Lives, a mission-driven snack company launched alongside Kristen Bell, Todd Grinnell, and Ryan Devlin. As its former CEO and board chairman, he helped scale the company before its acquisition by Good/Upworthy. Each snack sold provides a life-saving meal packet to a child in need. He continues to advise and invest in companies focused on wellness and nutrition. Ravi will also appear in Best Pancake in the Country with Nicolas Cage and will join Ben Stiller in Apple TV limited series The Off Weeks We chat about fulfilment, ADHD, writing his yearly eulogy, grief and losing his daughter, health and wellness, his poker magazine, his thoughts about acting, ambition, Meet The Patels, one's unique medicine, wellness focussed communities + plenty more! Check Ravi out on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/showmetheravi/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Showme_theravi Facebook (Meet the Patels): https://www.facebook.com/MeetThePatelsFilm Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@showmetheravi ------------------------------------------- Follow @Funny in Failure on Instagram and Facebook https://www.instagram.com/funnyinfailure/ https://www.facebook.com/funnyinfailure/