54-40 Keep on Walking into the future
Canal Days headliners continue to make new music
Things are much different these days for 54-40.
It’s been nearly two decades since the Vancouver-based band registered a single or album on the music charts, but to bassist Brad Merritt, that doesn’t matter.
“It’s about playing live,” he says. “Making records is the cost of doing business these days if you don’t want to be a nostalgia act. We enjoy writing, arranging songs and recording.
And playing live is exactly what 54-40 will be doing on Friday, as the headline act for the opening night of the Canal Days concert series alongside Lowest of the Low and the Lazys.
The group is on the road promoting their latest effort, “Keep on Walking.” It’s the group’s first new music since 2011’s “Lost in the City.” On the in-between, in 2016, came “La Difference: A History Unplugged,” which featured a collection of old songs reimagined as acoustic pieces.
A short, unplugged tour of small theatres was something the band enjoyed, Merritt says.
“It was great. It’s something we continue to do.”
He says the band will be doing an acoustic set at CityFolk Festival in Ottawa next month.
“We saw Ray Davies (of The Kinks) in Ottawa do this … about 15 years ago. We thought we should do something like that.”
In April last year, the band crossed paths with venture capitalist Michael Wekerle, who is also one of the investors on CBC’s “Dragons’ Den.” Wekerle had purchased Toronto iconic music venue the El Mocambo, in Toronto, and as an offshoot started a record label with the same name. Merritt and company signed with
Wekerle and helped launch the label.
“Michael is a big fan of the band,” Merritt says. “It’s a great relationship. This isn’t his main thing; it’s a labour of love.”
The band is also getting ready to film a video for the next single from “Keep on Walking,” called “How’s Your Day Going?”
“It should be out some time in September or October,” Merritt says.
Merritt and singer-guitarist Neil Osborne are the only remaining members from 54-40’s original lineup, and Merritt said the lengthy relationship has caused their relationship and those with drummer Matt Johnson, who came into the fold in 2006, and guitarist Dave Genn (since 2005) to be like a family.
“It was very dynamic from the start, ever since he walked into my social studies class in Grade 11,” he says of his relationship with Osborne. “In the beginning we were feeling each other out. Now it’s way beyond friends — it’s family.”
Other shows for this weekend’s Canal Days include: Blue Rodeo, with Freeman Dre and the Kitchen Party, and Mel Monaco on Saturday; and The Caverners with Tim E Hendry & The Yes Men on Sunday.
Admission to all shows is free.