54-40 Is Still Going Strong: New Album

I caught up with 54-40 bassist Brad Merritt for a conversation that hit on nostalgia, surprise hits, and what it’s like making new music decades into a career.

🎵 I Go Blind — the song that took on a life of its own

Brad shared a great story about I Go Blind, originally recorded by 54-40 in 1986, and what happened when Hootie & the Blowfish covered it in 1994.
The cover exploded, becoming a major radio hit, showing up on Friends, and even causing some backstage confusion when 54-40 opened for Hootie at the height of their fame.

At a time when the band was questioning their future, that unexpected success became genuinely life changing; creatively and financially.

🌍 A new album, recorded far from home

54-40 are releasing a new album called Porto, recorded in Portugal.
Brad talked about crossing bridges each day to the studio, working with all-analog gear, and how the experience felt like “record camp”: focused, immersive, and inspiring.

The location shaped the record so much, it ended up giving the album its name.

🎤 What to expect from a 54-40 show now

Brad says the live shows are still about connection and community – big sing-along moments, familiar songs people don’t even realize they know, and a shared sense of nostalgia mixed with new music.

And yes they’re planning to bring the tour through Edmonton and Calgary later this year.