Life, Love, Puppets, and Aliens

If you are a fan of underground comedy or the late-night programming block Adult Swim on Cartoon Network, you might recognize the name David Liebe Hart. If not, let me give you an introduction. David Liebe Hart is a triple threat: actor, singer, and puppeteer. He is in contact with extraterrestrials and is keen to share those experiences, as well as stories of his childhood, chequered love life and more, through stand-up, song, and puppet shows.

While he might not necessarily be a household name, over the last decade he has developed a devoted fan base from his touring shows as well as appearances on programs like “Tim and Eric’s Awesome Show Great Job!” due to his charming idiosyncrasies and good-heartedness, and luckily, I had a chance to interview the man about his upcoming show at Ojata Records in Grand Forks, his three-year collaborator Jonah Mociun AKA Th’Mole, his alien encounters, and his life in general.

David Liebe Hart may be best known for his comic and musical stylings on “Tim and Eric,” but he has had a knack for entertainment and puppetry since he was young. He attended the Church of Christ Scientist in Hollywood when he was a child (still does, actually), and was told by actor Walter Brennan that he had a “spark of talent.” “I didn’t even realize that he was famous when I was young,” said David. “To get an endorsement from someone that famous is really impressive to me.”

David then went on to meet the likes of Ginger Rogers and Jim Henson (yes, the Muppets one), among others, and perform on a show called “Friendly Giant” in Canada. From there he came to be known in the LA area for his public-access show “The Junior Christian Teaching Bible Lesson Program” as well as performing with “Doug the Dog,” one of his puppets, outside of the Hollywood Bowl and Los Angeles Music Center.

Where he really shot to fame was guest-starring in several episodes of the five-season run of “Tim and Eric’s Awesome Show Great Job!” with offbeat comedy duo Eric Wareheim and Tim Heidecker.

He has also gone on numerous tours, performed in a punk rock band (The David Liebe Hart Band) for six years, and released several albums, such as “Astronaut.” His partnership with Jonah Mociun has been going for three years, with ‘Th’Mole’ providing electronic background music and more for David’s performances, including new pieces as well as several classics that his fans have come to know and love, like “Korendian Honk” and “Go into the Light.”

I was introduced to the work of Mr. Liebe Hart on “Tim and Eric’s Awesome Show” in my first year of college, where he sang a little ditty with one of his wide collection of puppets called Salame, which is the word that the Korendians, one of the several extraterrestrial races he has made contact with, use to say both hello and goodbye, similar to the Hawaiian word aloha. I’ve been entertained by him ever since, whether by his comedy or musical stylings.

His song “Marcama” relates his experience meeting the Korendians. During the forty years that David had sold portrait sketches at the La Brea Tar Pits he was approached by two Korendian women, Marcama and Jezebel. He said that Marcama looked like Wonder Woman and wore sunglasses, but when she took them off she had light where we would have pupils and her big toe was located in the middle of her foot. She told him about how they had been married in several past lifetimes.

The Korendians aren’t the only extraterrestrials he has run across. That distinction also goes to the Omegans from 800 light years away and the Venusians, who were forced to retreat under the surface of Venus after they destroyed the atmosphere with pollution, and urge us not to do the same.

Some of his lyrical material is more down to earth, however. He has songs relating the stories of the women that have come and gone in his life, as well as his childhood experiences, such as meeting the ghosts of his two German Shepherds Pickle Man and Mr. Moose, or his trips on the Erie Lackawanna passenger and freight train with his parents. He has had a lifelong fascination with locomotives ever since, and he told me about his vast model train collection.

David Liebe Hart was one of the most unique interview experiences I’ve had. He has a heart of gold and a sense of humor and I plan on attending his show. I hope you all can too. Otherwise, remember his advice, “Stay positive, work hard, follow your dreams, and be grateful for life.” Salame everybody.