Jacob Samuel Gains Recognition with "Horse Power"

The 50th Annual JUNO Awards take place this weekend, with various celebrations, online performances, and ceremonies throughout Juno Week. In its 50 year history, the Juno’s Comedy Album of the Year award has been presented only seven times. We caught up with the nominees for 2021 Comedy Album of the Year category, including the winner Jacob Samuel, for his album Horse Power.

Congratulations on your Juno nomination. What does this recognition mean to you?

It is truly an honour to be nominated. It's quite something when any entity outside of the comedy industry refers to you as a "comedian."

When and where was your album recorded?

I recorded my album at the very end of December, 2019 at the Yuk Yuks club in Vancouver (which, I think, is closed permanently). It was a different time then.

What was your most memorable experience in recording and releasing this album?

The whole weekend of recording was memorable to me because it definitely felt like the culmination of almost 10 years of work. At the Saturday late show, though, there were some women who were talking loudly and doing cocaine (I presume) in the bathroom for all the opening acts. Then, when I came on, they were totally fine and attentive. Just kidding, they were extremely disruptive and eventually got kicked out. It was just memorable to me because, if you're doing stimulants in the bathroom, I'm definitely not the kind of headlining comedian you're hoping for. It would be like walking into what you think is a UFC fight and then finding out it's a history lecture.

What advice do you have for other comedians who want to release a comedy album?

Wait some time after you think you're ready to record an album to actually do it but not so long that you never do.

Which fellow Juno nominee, in the comedy or music categories, would you like to go on tour with and why?

I'd like to go on tour with any and all of the other comedy nominees just because we don't have much gear.

How would you describe your style or genre of comedy?

Snarky observational comedy that is NOT very amusing if you've just been in the bathroom doing blow.

Did you, or do you, have any mentors in the Canadian comedy scene?

I've been given great guidance by so many amazing comedians across Canada. Two mentors in particular are Ivan Decker and Mayce "The Dirt Bike King" Galoni.

How have you been navigating the comedy scene since most shows moved online? Has your comedy changed as a result?

I have barely done any comedy online. I just really don't enjoy it in the same way. I'm basically hibernating right now. I've never felt less like a comedian while at the same time gaining recognition for being a comedian (it's usually the opposite).

Which Canadian comedy album, besides yours, should readers check out?

So many great albums were released this year and I encourage people to check out as many as possible. One album I'll recommend specifically is Peanut Butter and Jellyfish by Leonard Chan.