Tami Nelson and Chris Trew's New Movement
Former ColdTowne members make a fresh start
They'll look sweet (and explore new comedic horizons) upon the seat of a bicycle built for two: Nelson and Trew.
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They may have weathered the storm of Hurricane Katrina, but the members of local comedy troupe ColdTowne are not immune to the forces of business disputes and artistic differences. Those age-old creativity killers are responsible for last week’s dismissal of founding members Tami Nelson and Chris Trew, who—being the industrious little comedy beavers they are—promptly dusted themselves off, found a vacant storefront next door to soul-food landmark Nubian Queen Lola’s, and planted the dual flag of The New Movement and Studio 8 Austin. Decider sat down with Trew and Nelson to discuss what comes next.
Decider: Where do you guys go from here?
Chris Trew: Sunday, March 1 is the official grand opening of The New Movement, which is a comedy training center, and we’ll be simultaneously launching the Studio 8 Austin branch, which is a new booking company. Studio 8’s first big show is the following night at the Mohawk—it’s a show called Off Night On, and it's a new, monthly stand-up comedy show.
D: You’ve worked with Studio 8 for a while, right?
CT: It’s a booking company and comedy group that I created in 1999 that transplanted to L.A. I’m trying to make sure everyone knows it’s a legit thing—it’s not like, “I need a new name.” We’ve recently been courted by Comedy Central, and we’ve sold several sketches to them already.
D: How did you find the new space?
CT: Brent Foshee of Murphy just drove by and noticed it. We hustled, made it happen, got the key on Friday, and we were here Friday night. People came over, made sketch plans—not sketch-comedy plans—
Tami Nelson: Though we are writing a sketch show.
CT: When we first moved [to Austin], we did a sketch show called Hurricanes Are Funny, where we made fun of the hurricane and what happened to us. It’s untitled, but we’re now writing the sequel to Hurricanes Are Funny. Something like Business Breakups Are Funny or Lawyers Are Funny.
D: Have you met your new neighbors yet?
TN: A lot of people have been stopping by and introducing themselves and asking what we’re doing. We’re right next to the Queen, and I can’t wait to form a relationship with her. When we announced the location, it was really fun to say to everybody, “Do you know where Nubian Queen Lola’s is?” and hear everybody say, “Yes.” It’s very recognizable. People have been saying this will eventually be called “Crescent Corner,” because Lola’s is New Orleans-themed soul food, and we’re from New Orleans, and in our fantasy world someone’s going to open something across the street that’s New Orleans-y. Crescent Corner! That’s gay, but it’s fun for me to think about.
D: How are you guys feeling in general?
TN: Motivated.
CT: My boxing gloves are on, and they’re tight. I’m ready. I’ve been training for this.
TN: There’s such a momentum that we’ve been adding to and surfing on for years, and that momentum is really easy to keep going. It’s already in our hands. I’m feeling incredibly inspired. When we originally came here, the Austin community opened their arms to us, and that helped us start out here. Then we got to create our own community. Once again, the community comes through: People have been pitching in, helping out, coming by, bringing stuff, and saying nice things and coming up with good ideas. It’s totally inspiring.
Chris Trew: Sunday, March 1 is the official grand opening of The New Movement, which is a comedy training center, and we’ll be simultaneously launching the Studio 8 Austin branch, which is a new booking company. Studio 8’s first big show is the following night at the Mohawk—it’s a show called Off Night On, and it's a new, monthly stand-up comedy show.
D: You’ve worked with Studio 8 for a while, right?
CT: It’s a booking company and comedy group that I created in 1999 that transplanted to L.A. I’m trying to make sure everyone knows it’s a legit thing—it’s not like, “I need a new name.” We’ve recently been courted by Comedy Central, and we’ve sold several sketches to them already.
D: How did you find the new space?
CT: Brent Foshee of Murphy just drove by and noticed it. We hustled, made it happen, got the key on Friday, and we were here Friday night. People came over, made sketch plans—not sketch-comedy plans—
Tami Nelson: Though we are writing a sketch show.
CT: When we first moved [to Austin], we did a sketch show called Hurricanes Are Funny, where we made fun of the hurricane and what happened to us. It’s untitled, but we’re now writing the sequel to Hurricanes Are Funny. Something like Business Breakups Are Funny or Lawyers Are Funny.
D: Have you met your new neighbors yet?
TN: A lot of people have been stopping by and introducing themselves and asking what we’re doing. We’re right next to the Queen, and I can’t wait to form a relationship with her. When we announced the location, it was really fun to say to everybody, “Do you know where Nubian Queen Lola’s is?” and hear everybody say, “Yes.” It’s very recognizable. People have been saying this will eventually be called “Crescent Corner,” because Lola’s is New Orleans-themed soul food, and we’re from New Orleans, and in our fantasy world someone’s going to open something across the street that’s New Orleans-y. Crescent Corner! That’s gay, but it’s fun for me to think about.
D: How are you guys feeling in general?
TN: Motivated.
CT: My boxing gloves are on, and they’re tight. I’m ready. I’ve been training for this.
TN: There’s such a momentum that we’ve been adding to and surfing on for years, and that momentum is really easy to keep going. It’s already in our hands. I’m feeling incredibly inspired. When we originally came here, the Austin community opened their arms to us, and that helped us start out here. Then we got to create our own community. Once again, the community comes through: People have been pitching in, helping out, coming by, bringing stuff, and saying nice things and coming up with good ideas. It’s totally inspiring.
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