Ray Resvick, also known as King Ray, is a Montréal-based comedian who got their start in the city’s vibrant queer comedy circuit. Their quirky and irreverent comedy style has been featured in renowned comedy joints and performance venues like the now-defunct The Diving Bell and Slut Island. We spoke to them to learn more.
How would you describe your comedy style?
I’d say my style is dry, quirky, cynical, kinda bitchy and heavily irreverent. I’m queer and do a lot of queer shows, so I certainly offend some of the, um, more sensitive gays.
Who are some of your influences?
Fred Armisen, Chelsea Peretti, Kumail Nanjiani
Who was your favourite comedian growing up?
Katt Williams
Who is your favourite comedian now?
This is hard, but I’m really into Atsuko Okatsuka and Aaron Chen.
What is your pre-show ritual?
I listen to a song that pumps me up, shake my entire body and do some vocal warm-ups and box breathing.
What is your favourite place you have performed? Why?
The Diving Bell, rest in peace. That venue kinda birthed me as a comedian. It felt like a second home for a long time, some weeks I’d be there like 3 nights. The owners put an incredible effort into being a welcoming space for queer and trans crowds and I was always comfortable to try new stuff and play with the audience. It closed down last winter, which was a huge loss. It’s not easy to find venues that are well-run and also let a group of lesser-known gay comedians do some straight-up silly shit, but they gave us that space and it had a massive effect on my development as a comedian.
What is your favourite bit you have written and why were you proud of it?
I really like my bit about never coming out to my family. It lands with a lot of audiences regardless of the demographic. It took me a while to learn how to talk about queerness to mainstream audiences and get a laugh but this bit sorta taught me the approach to take. It showed me how to make a bridge with straight cisgender audiences to be like “hey, we’re just people, you can unclench.”
What is your favourite medium for listening or finding new comics/comedians?
TikTok and Instagram, it’s where I live. Though I do love a solid comedy podcast but I find it harder to find podcasts I really wanna listen to ‘cus they’re not bite-sized enough for my pea-brain attention span. I want to know within 30-seconds if I’m going to laugh.
Tell us a joke about your city.
Legault.
Where can we follow you?
PAY IT FORWARD: Who is another local comic/comedian we should know about?
Raquel Maestre is an actual icon. She produces more shows than most people perform, it’s a little unhinged, but her work so fucking smart I’m always impressed.
Kě, just hilarious, I’ve almost peed myself during some of their sets.
