As 2019 wraps up, Saskatchewan sweetheart Megan Nash took a look back at the impressive year she’s had and shared a snippet of what’s in store for the upcoming year.
Nash had a busy year, kicking things off with a JUNO Award nomination that warmed her heart. Her 2017 album Seeker was up for Contemporary Roots Album of the Year, and while Nash didn’t bring home the award, the recognition was no less meaningful to her.
“I was so fortunate to receive that [nomination] and I'm really grateful for that opportunity,” said Nash.
After walking the red carpet in London, Ont. for the JUNO Awards — an exciting adventure in itself — Nash took her talent overseas with a solo tour through Germany and Estonia, playing Talinn Music Week as one of a handful of Canadian artists invited.
In fact, Nash has been everywhere this year, both with Regina band Bears in Hazenmore and without — taking the stage at music festivals here at home like Regina Folk Fest and Ness Creek Music Festival, playing a music festival in Portugal for the first time, and travelling Saskatchewan to play as many small towns as she could find.
Rural Saskatchewan is home, said Nash, and she makes a point to be a part of the artistic fabric here in Saskatchewan.
“For me, there's like this unspoken mandate, I swear, to play every small town in this province,” said Nash. “It's really important for me to see other folks doing music, who are from where I live, so if I can inspire any kids to pick up an instrument and maybe start writing songs, it's a great process to work through your own emotions and stuff.”
Her most recent Canadian tour featured friends from Germany, indie band Scotch & Water, which ended with a finale show here in Moose Jaw at the Mae Wilson Theatre.
“It was such an amazing experience, not only for the hometown love that I received but the love that the community gave this band from Germany,” said Nash. “I was really proud to be from the area with all that really good energy in the Mae Wilson Theater that night.”
Nash considers the Moose Jaw and Gravelbourg area her home base and is grateful for the enthusiasm she gets from her community every time she returns.
Amidst the touring, Nash found time to release music videos for three singles — “Snowbank,” “Deer Head,” and “Seeker,” the last of which was nominated for Music Video of the Year at the 2019 Saskatchewan Music Awards — and work on new music for 2020.
Nash has a new album in the works, which will be her focus for the first part of this year.
“I went to Europe four times with Seeker, so it's time for a new album,” said Nash. “Emotionally, spiritually, I'm ready for a new album, to work on it. That's always such an amazing process, to actually record the record, but I'm also ready to release new music into the universe.”
She’s once again focusing on writing music that is true to herself, and the experiences from the past year have definitely provided some inspiration.
“As a songwriter, for me, it's very self-indulgent, to be honest,” said Nash. “I feel like as long as I'm being true to myself, while preserving those memories, that's what makes it worth it.”
“It's a breakup album and I thought it was going to be more of a breakup album than it was, but I'm realizing now it's more of a transition record, which is something I didn't really expect to be experiencing at this stage in my life,” said Nash.
Although Nash starts recording her new album in January, that doesn’t mean she’s secluding herself to her studio. She will be performing at an upcoming show in Moose Jaw, joining musician Noah Derksen at the Hive on Jan. 16 for the Prairie Sound Series.
Nash is also promising to debut some new music at her Jan. 17 show in Gravelbourg, where she’ll be joined by her band for a hometown performance before heading over to the UK to appear at the AmericanaFest UK showcase at the end of the month.
It would seem that while Nash has the excitement of 2019 in the rearview mirror, the new album and new touring opportunities on the horizon are already shaping up yet another fantastic year for the songwriter.
Keep up with Megan Nash through her website, as well as on social media: Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
