Inside comedian Jon Lajoie is a pop star trying to get out

His music is comedy to our ears, but is there a pop star inside comedian Jon Lajoie waiting to get out? The Montrealer, who stars in FX Network TV's The League and is popular for his coarse songs and videos, is currently on a tour of theatres across Canada. He spoke to the Globe from the road, about flatulence, melodic ambition and unfunny Fleet Foxes.

You're known for your YouTube music parodies, so I'm wondering what your live shows entail.

I'm not necessarily a standup comedian. I haven't worked those muscles in a very long time. But I do some standup, and some sketch material. I have videos that are exclusive to the show. I have a PowerPoint presentation on how to make it as an actor in Hollywood. And I sing a lot of songs.

So, there's a reason to come out and see you, and not just stay home and watch you on the computer?

My worst nightmare would be standing on stage, reproducing the videos, and having the audience walk away thinking "that was nice, but I could have just as easily watched the videos." I wanted it to be a whole live experience.

Are you a frustrated musician?

In my early and mid-20s I was in a band for about five years. We worked hard, rehearsed all the time and wrote hundreds of songs – and played for four or five people in empty bars. I loved it though, and I still write serious music. Now I'm comedian Jon, which is great. But at the same time, there's a side of me, on stage in front of an audience with my guitar, when I close my eyes and pretend I'm singing different lyrics.

You obviously have access to professional recording equipment. Why not lay something down?

My father just came to see my show for the first time ever. Bless his heart, he's a fairly Christian man, and he's very supportive of what I do. But his one thing is that he can't wait for me to play similar songs, just with different lyrics. So, I keep that in mind. I don't know how long I can continue to write songs about my penis.

Well, the Montreal music scene is pretty crowded at the moment, with Arcade Fire and all the rest. Maybe stick with the penis for a few years, until there's more room?

I was at the Bonnaroo Festival in Tennessee, where I got to see Arcade Fire perform from the side of the stage, in front of 100,000 people. Standing there, I realized "Oh, yeah, that's what I want to do, but can't do." Win [Butler]and his bunch do what you do really well. I'll just listen to them instead, and make fart jokes from the sidelines.

Are there any bands or artists that you like that have a humorous side to them?

I recently saw Fleet Foxes at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles. It was magical. But all of their jokes were terrible. They were so bad I was almost embarrassed for them. So, I thought: "You know what? You guys do the music, I'll do the funny, and let's try to not get in each other's way."

Jon Lajoie plays Waterloo, Ont., on Nov. 14; North Bay, Ont., Nov. 17; Winnipeg Nov. 20; Saskatoon Nov. 22; Calgary Nov. 24; Red Deer, Alta., Nov. 25; Edmonton, Nov. 26; Kelowna, B.C., Nov. 28; Vancouver, Nov. 29; Nanaimo, B.C., Nov. 30; Victoria, Dec. 1.