By Scott Roos
Photos by Scott Roos
*Megan Nash playing the Rawlinson's Drive-In Show (Wednesday, July 21st)
After an exciting and engaging drive-in set at the E.A. Rawlinson Centre for the Arts this past Wednesday, July 21, it can now be officially announced that Moose Jaw's Megan Nash and the Best of Intentions will be returning to Prince Albert in September for Chester Fest Couch + Music Festival. The drive-in event, incidentally, was sponsored by Chester Fest. Further to this, organizers Joel Rohs and Kayanna Wirtz had booked Nash for the ill fated 2020 edition of their festival which, unfortunately, was cancelled due to COVID. Bringing Nash back for the festival in 2021, now that the gig life is returning to some semblance of normalcy, just makes sense. No one in the know should be surprised by this announcement but, at the same time, everyone should be excited.
"She writes incredible tunes, is a kick ass guitar player and singer and has an incredible band. What else do you want from an act? Good vibes? Oh, she’s got those too," Rohs said in a brief interview via facebook messenger.
"The band and I are so excited to play Chester Fest. We had an amazing time in Prince Albert at the drive-in show and can’t wait to return. I’m excited to see the other bands in the line up and to play music in a beautiful setting," raved Nash in an exclusive conversation with NSMZ.
Nash is a rare talent. It would be a misstep to say that she is an emerging artist as she's been an artistically relevant, "name" brand throughout the province for nearly a decade. Perhaps it's more appropriate to say she might be one of Saskatchewan's best kept musical secrets. If the recent singles from the record that she's introduced so far like "Quiet" and "My Own Heart" are any indication of things to come, Nash is definitely on a next level trajectory. Chester Fest provides many in Prince Albert and area who didn't see Nash the first time around at the Rawlinson a second chance. And it gives folks that have seen her shows before a chance to see her again because she is just that damn good.
"Working with Joel on the Drive In show was really fun. He is a total pro and I don’t think he got weirded out by any of my banter," joked Nash. "I just met Kayanna briefly but I’m pretty sure she said I could have a free couch. That’s a pretty good first impression. Joel and Kayanna seem like amazing community minded folks and I’m really looking forward to playing their festival."
More announcements will be made or the next few weeks to come. The lineup is shaping up well with Nash joining local, emerging country artist Katelyn Lehner on top of headliners Said the Whale. Keep your ears to the ground and by all means snag a ticket to Chester Fest Couch + Music Festival whilst you still can. The festival is slated to run the weekend of September 10th. Get your tickets now at chesterfest.ca/tickets
*country artist Katelyn Lehner. photo by Deanna Roos.