Acrpost: A Project of the Pacific Association of Artist Run Centres

Event Description

As lead singer and chief songwriter of 54•40, Neil Osborne has achieved critical acclaim, released a dozen albums and weathered the fickle music business for more than three decades. He is known primarily as a rock musician but is also an accomplished producer often taking the production reins of 54•40 albums and is also a songwriter of amazing depth and clarity.

54.40’s body of work is impressive. After thirty years in the musical trenches, the band have varied their sound and earned proven commercial success via impressive record sales from ten studio albums, two greatest hits packages and a double live album.
“One clue to 54•40’s longevity lies in their ability to make music that has adistinctly individual sound yet covers many styles - tender ballads, fiery rockers,provocative political songs, self-confessed lyrically banal romps.” Kerry Doole reported in Impact.

As a songwriter Osborne has penned such fabulous signature 54•40 songs as ‘I Go Blind’, ‘One Gun’, ‘Since When’ and ‘Ocean Pearl’’ which have crossed from the realm of rock to a broader base. His lyrics range from the most politically astute observation to the most innocent love song and everything in between.

After recording 2005’s Yes to Everything with producer Warne Livesay, Osborne continued his production work along with band mate Dave Genn, Osborne produced the critically acclaimed 12th and 13th releases for 5440 “Northern Soul (True North) and Lost In The City (Smilin’Buddha).

In 2016, 54•40 reimagined many of their now classic songs in an album titled La Difference: A History Unplugged. This was recorded live in front of the studio audience at Blue Frog Studios. It is with that “unplugged” intimate story telling spirit that Osborne performs his solo shows.

Always a great night with Neil at Blue Frog!