Kelsey Hamilton wants her comedy to feel like catching up with a friend — and judging by how hard it is for her to describe her own style, she’s probably too busy actually being funny to worry about labelling it. The Vancouver-based comedian draws from her own life with an observational, autobiographical approach shaped by growing up in a household with two very different senses of humour, a childhood spent watching Robin Williams specials she definitely didn’t fully understand, and a Chelsea Peretti special that apparently changed everything.
How would you describe your comedy style?
Why is this such a hard question?? I find it difficult to describe, but I want it to feel like we’re friends catching up. It’s autobiographical, observational and hopefully relatable.
Who are some of your influences?
Well, I hate to give my parents all the credit, but I do come from a funny family. My mom and dad have opposite styles of humour, so I think I am a perfect balance between the two. For more official comedy influence, I loved Chelsea Peretti’s ‘One of The Greats’ special. I remember showing it to everyone I came into contact with. A little over a year later, I started doing comedy.
Who was your favourite comedian growing up?
I remember when I was a kid, all of us as a family watched Robin Williams’ stand-up specials together…I for sure did not get the jokes. But I felt like he was my favourite comedian. I also remember downloading and quoting Dane Cook’s album…
Who is your favourite comedian now?
Nate Bargatze has held this title for a couple years now
What is your pre-show ritual?
I’m always running late… is that a pre-show ritual? Panic jogging to an Evo somewhere? On a perfect day, I have time to walk to the show and mutter my set to myself. Sometimes I pretend to be on the phone so it seems a little more normal…
What is your favourite place you have performed? Why?
I hold the ol’ YukYuks on Cambie (RIP) near and dear to my heart. It was the first place I ever performed, first place my friends and family saw me perform and where I started to build some confidence in my comedy. I did a lot of spots there when I was just starting out.
More recently, some of my favourite sets of all time have been at the Jokes Please! shows in Vancouver.
What is your favourite bit you have written and why were you proud of it?
I love my closing joke, it’s my favourite bit. It’s been my closer forever. Sometimes I’ll tell myself I’m not going to do it, and then I get to the end of my set and think, why wouldn’t I do it? That’s crazy talk. And then I do it. I wrote it so long ago now…I didn’t even really write it. It was just something that happened. When I first started stand-up, and I told my mom, she immediately asked what I will do if someone shouted at me from the audience. I think it encapsulates a mother’s love perfectly. When you tell your mom you’re doing something exciting, and her response is immediate worry. She’s like, ‘Oh, cool, but what if the worst possible thing happens?’
What is your favourite medium for listening or finding new comics/comedians?
Going to live shows! It’s definitely not the only way to discover comedy, but I think it’s the best way.
Tell us a joke about your city.
I don’t know… something about the cost of living being too high. Blah blah blah…housing prices…Am I right or am I right? Who’s with me?!
Do you have anything to promote right now?
Yes! I just released my debut comedy album / special, ‘A Very Professional Comedian’. You can listen on Apple, Spotify, etc., or you can watch it on YouTube
Where can we follow you?
PAY IT FORWARD: Who is another local comic/comedian we should know about?
Sarah Masri is coming in hot and killing it in the Vancouver scene!
