The nation has been scoured, the contestants have been whittled down, and now it’s up to the public to help select who will make the final round of SiriusXM's Canada’s Top Comic. Announced on September 27 following a live standup showdown in Toronto, the winner of the annual comedy competition will nab $25,000, a Bell TV taping, and coveted slots at the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal, JFL42 in Toronto, JFL NorthWest in Vancouver, and JFL Sydney.

The title was won by Vancouver's Gavin Matts in 2017, and of the 18 semi-finalists in 2018's Top Comic contest, six are from Vancouver—and with your votes, we can keep the crown in the city.

To help you in your voting, we're introducing you to the funnymen and women repping Vancouver in this year's Top Comic competition. Today, we meet Efthimios Nasiopoulos.

Growing up in a blue-collar family in Toronto gave Nasiopoulos his first influences as a comedian. His comedy offers uniquely funny insight into human nature, and tears down social conventions we take for granted. Using his acerbic wit and charm, he is able to take audiences to places further than they had expected.

Last year, he debuted his one-man show Disengaged at the Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver Fringe Festivals. He's also performed at JFL NorthWest, the Hubcap Comedy Festival, the Winnipeg Comedy Festival, and on CBC's Laugh Out Loud. In addition, Nasiopoulos released his first comedy album Efthimios in 2017, available on Sirius XM or any streaming service.

Georgia Straight: How long have you been doing standup for?

Efthimios Nasiopoulos: It feels like my whole life. I'm loving this journey that I've been fortunate enough to embark on.

GS: What’s your pre-show ritual?

EN: Shadow boxing, alone, in a corner where nobody can see me shadow boxing.

GS: What’s your favourite comedy venue in the city?

EN: My favourite venue is the Comedy Mix (1015 Burrard Street). I always have a fun time there and the staff are amazing.

GS: Why should people vote for you to advance to the final round of Canada's Top Comic?

EN: For one, I'm the oldest competitor—hopefully, that counts for something. Secondly, I moved to Vancouver from Toronto almost two years ago because I think this is the best part of the country. I've never moved for anyone, but this city speaks to me.

GS: What would you do with the $25,000 if you won?

EN: Double-down on my career. Produce and bring back another critically acclaimed one-man show. Also, expand my hilarious coffee videos that I post on Instagram.

Public voting to determine the semi-finalists in the 2018 SiriusXM Canada's Top Comic competition is open online until August 17 at midnight. The six comedians who receive the most votes, as well as two wildcards, will advance to the final round in Toronto on September 27, when the winner will be chosen by a panel of judges.