Dylan Taylor is a climber, comedian, and impressionist whose Instagram account Climberisms (@climberisms), with hilarious impressions of famous rock climbers, has taken off. Common Climber interviews Dylan to learn a little more about him and behind the scenes - like has he ever been contacted by any of these famous climbers that he's imitated? Read on to learn the answer and more!
- Stef
Editor-in-Chief
- Stef
Editor-in-Chief
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You do impressions of famous rock climbers. When and how did you discover your ability to do impressions?
I can't quite pinpoint when I discovered the ability. It’s always something I was just able to do since I was a kid! Do you do impressions of other celebrities or just climbers and climbing related content?
Yes! I love doing impressions of celebrities as that’s how I first got started with impressions and I love making up my own voices. |
Voice-over parody of Adam Ondra and Chris Sharma by @climberisms
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Have you ever been contacted by any of the climbers you impersonate, either laughing with us, or requesting to take it down?
Definitely have gotten some love from the pro’s. I’m truly honored they enjoy my work and I’m forever grateful for it. Haven’t gotten asked to take anything down…yet ;)
Definitely have gotten some love from the pro’s. I’m truly honored they enjoy my work and I’m forever grateful for it. Haven’t gotten asked to take anything down…yet ;)
Voice-over parody of Adam Ondra by @climberisms
You've attracted a lot of attention with your videos (getting a large Instagram following). Did that take off quickly for you? And, what is your reaction?
I've been making these videos for a long time, but the voiceover over idea just happened this past February (2021), so it’s all pretty new. My initial reaction was feeling overwhelmed, but I was just happy I found something that clicked. I feel good about it.
I've been making these videos for a long time, but the voiceover over idea just happened this past February (2021), so it’s all pretty new. My initial reaction was feeling overwhelmed, but I was just happy I found something that clicked. I feel good about it.
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How do you get content ideas? Are they inspired by something the climber said in the video or somewhere else or is it random and pops into your head?
Usually I’ll just see a video that’s trending and sit with it for 5-10 minutes and come up with the impression and what I'm going to say right then and there. Tell us a bit about you. Where are you living currently and what do you do to pay the bills?
I’m currently living in Los Angeles and working towards being a voiceover actor or anything involving making movies or tv shows. But, I pay the bills route setting for Touchstone climbing. |
Voice-over parody of Sean Bailey by @climberisms
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You also create art. Tell us a little more.
Yes! I love painting. It’s a way for me to just turn the brain off and get into a bit of a meditative state. I love reading and learning about artists - that’s where I truly draw much of my inspiration. |
Dylan Taylor art - click photo to enlarge
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Voice-over parody of Chris Sharma by @climberisms
How about your climbing? Fill us in on the basics...
Well, I didn’t climb through the pandemic, so I’m very out of shape! Hopefully I can get fit by the time fall comes around and start getting outside more. My goal is to one day climb a V11 and once that happens I’ll feel fulfilled as a climber - haha!
Well, I didn’t climb through the pandemic, so I’m very out of shape! Hopefully I can get fit by the time fall comes around and start getting outside more. My goal is to one day climb a V11 and once that happens I’ll feel fulfilled as a climber - haha!
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Climbers tend to get obsessed about climbing, would this describe you and why you make these videos? On one Instagram post you mention you are doing this to make climbing more fun. Common Climber is in total agreement with that philosophy. I think we take ourselves (and maybe our icons) too seriously sometimes.
Since my first day in the gym I became completely obsessed - I think just like any climber would say. But, yes I think climbing is takin a bit too seriously at times. At the end of the day we are just a bunch of nerds who stare at rocks. My goal is to remind everyone of that fact and to just have fun! |
Voice-over parody of Alex Honnold by @climberisms
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Any last thoughts?
I just want to thank everyone who has supported my comedy throughout the years as I am forever grateful to the fans! I will do my best to keep delivering and coming up with new ideas. Thank you!
I just want to thank everyone who has supported my comedy throughout the years as I am forever grateful to the fans! I will do my best to keep delivering and coming up with new ideas. Thank you!
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Voice-over parody of Adam Ondra by @climberisms
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Voice-over parody of John Sherman - aka. The Verm - by @climberisms. John Sherman invented the V-scale and rails on it. Check out Jeff Smoot's article "Absolutely Hypothetical: The Graham Scale" which shares more about the V-scale and introduces the Graham scale - taking bouldering to a whole new level.
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Follow Dylan Taylor:
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Instagram:
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