Leif Oleson-Cormack has mastered the art of contradiction, delivering sharp, confessional comedy rooted in darkness and misanthropy, all with a disarmingly cheerful charm. His sets balance bleak honesty with buoyant self-awareness, turning personal stories into cathartic punchlines.
How would you describe your comedy style?
Another comic once said my work was “rooted in pessimism and misanthropy with a surprisingly bouncy charm,” and I can’t top that. I tend to do dark, confessional, story-driven comedy delivered with the chirpiness of someone determined to pass a wellness check.
Who are some of your influences?
Doug Stanhope, Maria Bamford, Pete Holmes, Jonathan Ames, Spalding Gray, and Lydia Tár.
Who was your favourite comedian growing up?
Jim Carrey. I wrote a very long fan letter to him in 7th grade, and he sent back a signed photo! It’s still one of my most prized possessions.
Who is your favourite comedian now?
James Adomian. Not only is he an incredible impressionist, he’s got specific and thoughtful premises that he manages to sell with the most intense commitment. His “Gay Villains” and “Trillion Dollar Coin” bits are absolute masterclasses.
What is your pre-show ritual?
Black coffee is my go-to. If I’m driving, I have a playlist of karaoke go-to songs that I’ll sing along with. It’s a good vocal warm-up and helps me shed a layer of obnoxiousness before I get on stage.
What is your favourite place you’ve performed, and why?
Edinburgh Fringe. I broke my foot on the fourth day, and was more broke than my foot by day nine, but despite this, I had the most incredible time. Getting to perform my hour every day for an entire month—and then hop on three or four showcases afterward—was the best kind of exhausting. When it comes to clubs, Good Times in Lethbridge, The Grindstone in Edmonton, and Underground Comedy and Little Mountain Gallery in Vancouver are incredible stages that I always look forward to returning to.
What is your favourite bit you’ve written and why?
I have a contrarian take about drag culture that I really love performing. It’s about the societal pressure put on queer people to support drag (even if we don’t like it), and there’s a wild turn at the end that usually gets a strong reaction from the crowd.
What’s your favourite way to find new comedians?
Live shows. If you can’t get to that, specials (either on YouTube or streaming platforms). TikTok and Instagram are fine, but the algorithm hates jokes that take longer than 10 seconds to build, and those tend to be the best kind. Fringe festivals are also great, as they give comics the chance to stretch their legs and do something more artful and interesting. The Vancouver Fringe might be the best place for this, I saw some truly incredible shows this summer that really opened my eyes to the possibilities of what comedy can be (shoutouts to Gina Harms, Megan Milton, Josh Romyn, Danielle Florence, Niki Mohrdar and Cass Furman)
Tell us a joke about your city.
Edmonton peaked in the 80s (oil money, West Ed, five Cups) and we’ve just never gotten over it. Ever since Gretzky left, we’ve kept the city like a perfectly preserved crime scene in case he ever decides to come back. We’re basically Miss Havisham in an Oilers jersey.
Do you have anything to promote right now?
I’m about to record my first standup album! It’s going to be recorded live at the Grindstone Theatre in Edmonton. It’s basically the ‘greatest hits’ of my first ten years in comedy, and everyone should come! It’s a great way to see what I do and immortalize your beautiful and unique laugh for posterity.
Where can we follow you?
PAY IT FORWARD: Who is another local comic/comedian we should know about?
Kamal Alaeddine is one of the most dynamic and exciting performers I know. I love comedians with unique perspectives and storied lives and Kamal’s got both in spades. He spent his youth touring with the Jim Rose Circus as “The World’s Fattest Contortionist” (that’s what he was billed as, I’m not bullying him) and has landed himself in so many absurd and hilarious predicaments. He runs a weekly standup showcase every Tuesday on Whyte Ave called Blakbar Comedy, which is also a great way to see the Edmonton scene in action.
