Sometimes it takes me awhile to find the words for a piece. This was one of those times. You never know what barriers will get in the way of writing and this particular week I had to clear my head of some fairly heavy stuff in order to do justice to the intangibly charming Megan Nash and her performance, even more so her presence.
It is safe to say that this show had been one of the most anticipated on the entire year’s lineup for the venue. From the first time venue owner Shirley de Vooght heard her voice, she knew Megan Nash was something special. Shirley has developed such a tuned ear to talent over the years that when she gets as excited as she was about Nash, I tend to take notice rather quickly.
The few live videos I found online solidified a reason to be intensely intrigued by this singer/songwriter from Saskatchewan, as I anticipated the energy that could be created with her voice in our listening room.
Yet, nothing could have prepared us for what we got. In the flesh, I took one look at her and felt like I was meeting some reincarnated modern day version of Judy Garland. She was breathtaking. Her voice when greeting the audience was smooth and husky as her words rolled off her tongue like honey and her big dark eyes encapsulated your entire self. Even the way in which she carried herself on stage gave an ode to Garland’s almost purposeful awkwardness credited to housing a talent so huge you can almost sense the constant internal management of its power. This was exemplified in the detailed stories Nash told throughout the evening that were one part stand-up act and another part soul food. The intricacies of her memories, the ways in which she wove together the tapestry of her life in tales of woe, weirdness and wishes was outstanding. Her words ran on as she layered one account on top of another as we sat transfixed both in curiosity of this celestial being before us or doubled over in laughter at her sense of timing and vulnerable wit.
But the pièce de résistance was her voice. A voice that rivals most that have graced this stage before her. A range that both shocked and soothed one’s system. There were moments where she would hit a particular note and the impact was immediate. It shot right to your core and forced you to lean in to it, to feel its weight on your own heart.
Inspired by everything from her grandfather to an endearing odd neighbour and lovers both safe and dangerous, her songs paint a picture of a life lived to the fullest, capturing snapshots of intensity and lightheartedness. Megan Nash is an artist whose own stripped down simplicity is not so simple at all, but rather reveals a deeply vibrant individual who inhabits an ability to reflect on her own life and life itself through her music.
I sat in the front row for this particular show which I rarely do, a choice made by my friend who was with me. Following the first set, Nash finished her song and immediately took a seat on the edge of the stage and started talking to us. This was a first. Admittedly, my girlfriend does possess a unique magnetic pull that I have yet to see many people immune to, however Nash’s energy was equally matched and for the next 20 minutes I sat back and witnessed their instant connection and enthralling conversation about astrology, a topic that continued late into the evening after the show among a handful of us who remained to draw deeper into relationship through storytelling.
Above all else, Megan Nash cultivated an evening brimming with connection, a philosophy reflected in her conscious choice to tour small venues in rural communities and to live and record her music in the self-described tiny hamlet of Palmer, Saskatchewan. As a songwriter and performer, Nash’s ability to cast a hypnotic spell on listeners continues to grow across the country solidifying an artistic trajectory that knows no limits.
Choice tracks off her 2015 LP Song Harvest Volume One: “Start of Something”: An accurate portrayal of that initial spark between two people that has the potential to ignite a great and powerful love; “Matchbox Baby”: The whimsical lyrics of this tune had me hooked right from the start, the chorus is extra sweet; “Wait”: A roughed up rock track that digs its nails into the grungy side of relationships.
Megan Nash performed at Serenity Performing Arts Centre on February 24, 2017.
She is currently wrapping up her month long tour of BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan. Next up is an album fundraiser show with her new backing band Bears in Hazenmore on April 1 in Moose Jaw at Chiller’s Brew Pub.
Visit www.megannash.ca for links to music downloads, social media feeds and more.
Photos courtesy of Shirley de Vooght.
Blues rock at its finest. That’s Devon Coyote. Amid the five guitar changes (I think, I stopped counting) witty banter and impeccable chemistry among the band members, this live show rivals most you will see on Western Canada’s independent touring circuit.
Friday night opened with North Saanich based Sam Weber and his band. Weber’s pace was just the right recipe to ease us into the weekend. Having been across this country over the past year touring his new album ‘Valentina Nevada,’ Weber and his band performed a polished set that had everything we were looking for as the festival opener including Weber’s renowned guitar skills, gorgeous melodies on keys and some of the best lyricism we would hear all weekend.
Accompanied by Keith Gallant on drums and Lena Birtwistle on keys, he lit up the stage with his fun banter and explosive playing that left us all in complete awe, including creating sounds unheard of before as he slap-played his acoustic guitar like it was a Dobro, having many in the crowd immediately referencing the film “August Rush” (YouTube it). I for one was so entranced by his performance I couldn’t even get out of my chair. It was hypnotizing. His new EP ‘Songs’ was released this very same day (get it!) which made his appearance at the festival extra special. For someone who has been at this for decades, toured this country from one end to the other and back again and played stages large and small, WiL’s appearance at our festival meant a lot and his performance will not soon be forgotten.
The children performed their song on the main stage Sunday morning to the delight of their families. This was a welcomed addition this year and it was incredible to see the confidence built in the children and the pride they felt during and after their performance. As a parent, it was a highlight of my weekend to see my daughter move from not being sure she wanted to participate in the program at all to being one of the lead singers who had an immediate love of the microphone.
The art garden also included mural painting on the fence, watercolour painting, face painting, colouring and a wand-making craft. It is always a space full of creativity, laughter and fun during the day on Saturday that keeps the children busy as their parents recover from the night before and the musicians get prepared to perform in the afternoon.
First up on Saturday was Jason & the Diatonics. This group who has been keeping a low profile over the past year was a nice way to break us into the day with their acoustic-pop sound and fun, cheeky lyrics. They hung out for a good portion of the weekend which is always a nice compliment. Serenity is known for encouraging artists who are still finding their footing and striking the balance between following their artistic dreams and making a living. Here’s hoping Harvest Fest motivated Jason & the Diatonics to keep their foot in the door because they are a special band with their own unique style.
To hear Windborn’s tunes with a full band was a gift to those of us who have been listening for years and appreciate his unique artistry and creative mind. What he has been able to create on stage by himself has always amazed us, but to see his songs brought to life in a new way with other musicians was satisfying as a listener. And nothing beats Nils’ accompaniment on the cello…it brought back memories of when they used to tour as a duo and reminded us all of the magic they create together on stage. Here’s hoping this is just the beginning of what’s to come for the dynamic evolution of Windborn.
I imagine every review ever written about Brent Tyler references the juxtaposition between his towering size and delicately tender music. But it is exactly this that makes him so memorable and adored. His presence both on stage and off is undeniable. 
Not only his physical self, impossible to miss in a crowd as he casts a shadow over top of all of us, but it is his kindness, silliness and the laughter that omits from everyone around him that makes up the folklore around this gentle giant. He performed as a duo with band mate Jory Kinjo, serenading us all into the festival’s final night. Heralded by his colleagues across the country, Brent Tyler is a sought after singer/songwriter and his time at Harvest Fest proved nothing less.
Their modern take on traditional Celtic tunes gets everyone up on their feet as they maintain an energy unmatched from start to finish. It had been one year since seeing fiddler Susan Aylard perform with them live for the first time and since then their cohesion as a band has fused perfectly. Knowing this was the last show we would see with longtime drummer Chad “Rhino” Carter who is moving on from the band in mid-October was bittersweet, but it forced us all to take in every second to remember the magic that comes from this combination of musicians performing some of our country’s most historic music. Led by Andrew Mercer, whose Newfoundland roots fuel every step of the band’s development, we are all eager to see what Cod Gone Wild does next.
Saturday night’s bonfire was much more in step with what we are used to as the sky became perfectly clear and the stars shone bright. Many of the musicians from the day’s line-up took a turn sharing their favourite cover or two and igniting that sense of community Serenity has come to be known for. A special thanks to each and every one of you for taking that extra time to connect with the festival goers around the fire through sharing in a mutual love of music.
Lauren’s simple vocal harmonies and mandolin melodies added such weight to Joal’s award winning songs as they brought an authentic folk singer element to the festival. Expecting their first child in just a few weeks, they made it to Serenity just under the wire before they stop traveling (thank goodness for those of us who also greatly anticipate Lauren’s jewelry line ‘Flint & Feather’)!
At Paynter’s Fruit Market in Westbank, BC, Luca began the show among the orchards, with the audience seated just above him looking out over the fields and rolling valley hills. Framed by the fruit trees and standing atop packing pallets, the scene was spectacular. As a storm rolled in hard and fast at the close of his first set, we moved everything under cover in the market, adorned by hanging flower baskets and a hand painted mural on the interior wall, while the rest of the sides were open to the air as we listened to Luca perform and the rain poured down on the roof above us. The crowd moved closer to one another, with those in the front getting as close to him as they could, sitting right at his feet. 
The backdrop was a red tractor adorned with lights. He tantalized us with the stories behind some of his songs and his gratitude for our attendance. It was an especially touching night for the venue’s owners as the Paynter family had attended a celebration of life that afternoon for one of their family members, Geoffrey Paynter, who had passed away from brain cancer after being diagnosed just over a month ago. Geoffrey was a prominent community member with roots that ran deep; his contribution to the community and his place in the Paynter family will be sorely missed. Without knowing this, Luca spoke about how he is often asked to play funerals and shared his experiences observing how incredibly special and moving it can be to see families come together to celebrate the lives of their loved ones. The synchronicity in that moment was something to behold.
The timing of this only just occurred to me as I sat down to write in my journal tonight. I re-read the blog piece I wrote about them last summer and remembered sitting in this exact spot recalling our conversations shared and the impact those first impressions of them had on me. A year later and my affections for them have only grown.
More than anything else, it is the sense of connection, almost like family, that you get from the Folk Road Show, but a family that is fleeting, so you need to get in all the love you can before they’re gone. It’s a sentiment I deeply relate to, and is why I think I gravitate so strongly to many of the touring musicians I have met on the road.
Thank you Folk Road Show for providing such a beautiful evening of music and energy to share with my family. You have my heart.
What stood out the most at this show was their new material by far. They have kicked it up a notch in the tempo department with hooks and choruses that have you singing along in no time. “One main focus for us has been groove. We want people dancing when we play and noticed where the gaps were left from our last album that needed to be filled,” said Twining (Andrew).
Hol was accompanied by Alex Hauka on cello (Good For Grapes; Wooden Horsemen) who provides a depth and beauty to every piece of music he comes into contact with, and Leathan Milne on guitar, a solo artist in his own right whose talent and dedication to authenticity is just as cool as his name. She met both Hauka and Milne in the 2013 Peak Performance Project, both men had entered supporting other musical endeavours and over the years the three have remained steadfast collaborators with each other. Hauka and Milne’s support of Hol’s music was tangible, you could tell they were there because they believed in her and embraced the opportunity to play music that was clearly as enjoyable to play as it was to listen to.
JP Maurice performed his first house show at Serenity last week. It had been just over a month since he had been here supporting Jeremy Gray and Benjamin James Caldwell on the stage. Time is an odd thing. Its passage can feel so varied. The past week has felt like an eternity. I have been writing constantly for other people and publications that require me to be more outside of myself than I am here where I draw inward and reflect on the artists and their live performances at these intimate house concerts.
Maurice’s appearance back in December helped raise anticipation for his return. The room was full of local teens, Serenity regulars and a handful of newcomers. A great crowd buzzing for what was to be one of the most diverse shows in the house to date.
Songs In The Valley 