Megan Nash goes rural in Saskatchewan with province-wide tour

Megan Nash is getting back to her rural roots on her latest province-wide tour.

Along with stops in Saskatoon and Regina, the Saskatchewan singer andsongwriter also stopping in Mossbank, Hazlet andGravelbourg, that latter of which she'll be playing Saturday night.

The rural prairies have played a major role in her development as an artist.Last year, she movedfrom Moose Jaw to the tiny community of Palmer, a village approximately two hours southwest of Regina.

She sat down with Saskatchewan Weekendhost Eric Anderson to chat about what draws her to the province's rural side.

"I grew up on a farm nestled betweenParkbeg and Mortlach ... and then I based myself out of the city of Moose Jaw," she said of her start as an artist.

Nash said Moose Jawwas a good base for a while, but she needed "someinexpensive space in order to write, rehearse and record the songs that I wanted to."

Ultimately, Nashsaid she wasn't happy with the songs she was writing andthat she needed to dedicate more time to her music.

Small-town Saskatchewan afforded her "the inexpensive creative space I could use."

"Instead of trying to balance the day-job artist life, I justwanted to put more time into the creative," she said.

Her first gig in her new hometown before she actually moved there was at a 101-year-old church, which she said she fell in love with.

"I've been living there [in Palmer] for over a year now, and I've fallen in love with the people and the community. They're just wonderful, creative people," she said.

Nash was quick to assert that she didn't have issues with Moose Jaw "as a character." Her move was based on the economics of time and money.

Staying in Moose Jaw would've meant she needed a day-job, and have less time to let her creative energies flow.

"I knew I needed more time to be creative, and make art that I'm comfortable presenting to people. It has nothing to do with laziness," she said. "I relocated to rural Saskatchewan and I accidently wrote an entire album."

"It's because I was able to dedicate time to be creative. The creative mind needs idle time," she quipped.

People interested in checking out Nash's shows can see a full list ofdates and locations on her website.