54-40 Debuts New Songs in Free Whitehorse Concert on Aug. 30

Canadian alternative-rock band 54-40 will take the stage for a free concert in Whitehorse on August 30, 2023. The performance at Shipyards Park will feature two unreleased songs, “Running for the Fence” and “Go Get ’Em,” alongside a selection of fan favourites. Guitarist Dave Genn shared that these new tracks were recorded earlier this year in Porto, Portugal, with Toronto producer Warren Livesey. Both songs are set to be included in an upcoming album scheduled for release in October.

This concert is part of the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of Lotteries Yukon, in partnership with the Yukon Arts Centre. The show will open with performances by Bria Rose, a Tahltan and Cree artist, and Kris Moore, before 54-40 takes over for a 90-minute set. Genn noted that while the band typically performs ten or eleven popular tracks, they aim to keep their setlists fresh and engaging for each performance.

Genn emphasized the importance of creativity in their music-making process. “We make new records in order to keep ourselves engaged and creative, to keep that muscle exercised,” he stated. “So it’s important for us not to become a jukebox.” He also mentioned that lead vocalist Neil Osborne celebrated his birthday during the recording sessions in Portugal, adding a personal touch to their latest work.

The band has a history with Whitehorse, marking this as their fourth visit. Genn reflected on their last performance in the Yukon, which took place six years ago during the West Coast Music Awards at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre. While in Whitehorse, Genn plans to reconnect with a local musician from Pepper Sands, a Vancouver-based band with roots in the city. “Years and years ago, in 2001, I produced a band from Whitehorse called Pepper Sands,” Genn recalled. “They were a fairly well-known Whitehorse-based band.”

Performing in smaller cities like Whitehorse has its unique advantages, according to Genn. He remarked that audiences in such locations tend to be particularly enthusiastic and appreciative. “In a smaller, isolated city like Whitehorse, people are very happy to get entertainment,” he explained. “We tend to get really great reactions in smaller towns. The other thing about Whitehorse is it’s just such an interesting city with such an incredible history.”

Formed in Tsawwassen, British Columbia, in 1980, 54-40 remains a stalwart in the Canadian alternative-rock scene, averaging around 50 performances each year. Genn noted that most visits to various cities are brief, typically involving quick setups and performances before the band departs shortly after. With members living across the West Coast, including Genn in Vancouver and others on Gabriola and Salt Spring Islands, the group continues to write and record new material, ensuring their musical legacy endures.