SASK. COUNTRY SINGER SET TO DRIVE IT HOME
Fans across the province will get a chance to hear See You In the Stars when Labrash performs soon at drive-in concerts in communities across the province
THE ARTIST
Justin Labrash lives on a farm near Lumsden when he’s not on the road playing country music. During COVID -19, there has been a lot of time at home.
“I was going stir crazy not being able to play a show,” said Labrash.
The same might be said for his audience, because once he decided to perform socially-distanced drive-in concerts, “it spread like wildfire.”
Every weekend this month is booked — a welcome reprieve for Labrash: “I definitely went from spending two months in my house and studio and the most I could do were Facebook Lives.”
This way, “I can see the cars at the drive-in shows; it’s a little better than just looking at a screen and seeing myself on it.”
Labrash grew up with country music. “There was always a country music lesson with my grandpa (Grant) on the tractor,” which often featured Hank Snow.
Labrash describes his own style as a “melting pot” of multiple genres and influences.
THE SONG
“See You In The Stars” is a single released in November 2019. Written by Chris Stevens,
Matt Jenkins and JT Harding, Labrash first heard the song in a pitch meeting in Nashville.
“In pitch meetings you listen to maybe the first half, a verse and a chorus, and then you put them on a list like ‘maybe’ or ‘no.’ And this one I stopped and I listened to the whole thing because it was so catchy.”
The song is unique in Labrash’s eyes — it’s not a love song or a breakup song.
“It’s a song about someone following their dreams,” said Labrash, “and the significant other in the relationship saying, ‘I know you have to go now to follow your passion, so just go … and eventually we’re going to end up together.’ ”
THE WORDS
To upbeat music, the chorus goes, in part:
I’ll see you barefoot, dancing in the dark
Jean jacket sliding off in the back of my car
Girl wherever you are, you’re not that far
… Til you fall, fall back in these arms
I’ll see you in the stars
LISTEN NOW
The song is on streaming services, as is Labrash’s newest album. Home Sessions Vol. 1 is a
solo acoustic EP, “just me and a guitar,” which he recorded during early pandemic isolation.
HEAR IT LIVE
Live and in-person music is a rare thing these days, but Labrash has embraced the drive-in concert. He has already performed this summer in Lampman and Regina.
This month, he’s got shows in Moose Jaw (July 10), Kindersley (July 17), Bethune (July 18), Strasbourg (July 24) and Swift Current (July 25), with more dates to come in August.
Each show benefits a charity or community organization.
In Regina, it was Teddy Bears Anonymous. In Moose Jaw, it’s Joe’s Place Youth Centre. In Strasbourg, funds will support repairs to the rink roof.
Labrash wanted to help charities that have been “hit hard” by the pandemic.
“They rely on community support and events like a hotdog sale or ... a cabaret, where those are all not allowed with the current situation,” said Labrash.
Unlike fellow Canadian country musician Brett Kissel — who performed a few drive-in concerts in Saskatchewan last month — Labrash’s bandmates won’t be behind Plexiglas on stage.
“My band and I are now part of each other’s extended households,” Labrash said of his bandmates Carter Kent (drums), Parker Nabis (bass) and Connor Gessey (guitar).
“So outside of that, we’re all very careful to isolate ourselves.”
Also unlike Kissel’s shows, Labrash’s sound will be amplified from speakers on stage as well as through FM radio.
Labrash appreciates his audiences’ enthusiasm — “I was amazed that some people were able to yell and whoop and holler so loud that you could hear them over the car horns,” he said.
He’s looking forward to the day he can interact with the crowd, maybe jump off the stage and give high-fives.
“That first show back to what we used to know as normalcy might be a little crazy, but for now staying in our designated staging area and playing to the fronts of vehicles is as good as it’s going to get.
“And,” he joked, “with car headlights it brings a whole other meaning to flashing the band at a concert.”