Ken Yates
Heartfelt indie-rock; quiet introspection
About Ken
Ontario-born indie-folk artist Ken Yates has a penchant for saying what the rest of us are thinking. Cerulean, his latest album, finds Yates at his darkest and most vulnerable - "the worst pain comes with no bleeding" he writes - as he explores the complicated reality of navigating the world through half-clenched teeth. Yates' "earworms of sadness" have gained him a new legion of fans, who, drawn to his "stunning candidness and relatability" (No Depression), have shared numerous fan covers on social media and helped spur a dedicated surge of audience growth. The new album found great success at streaming, where songs were shared on playlists including "Your Favorite Coffeehouse," "Infinite Indie-Folk", "Fresh Folk," and more. Guest vocalists Kathleen Edwards, Katie Pruitt and Stephanie Lambring lent their talents to the new songs, produced by Ottawa's Jim Bryson. With praise in FLOOD, Atwood Magazine, NPR Music Live Sessions, and two Canadian Folk Music Awards under his belt, Yates has expanded his touring in recent years, supporting acclaimed artists including Passenger, Kathleen Edwards, and Stu Larsen, as he brings his "lyrical vessel of yearning and emotional reckoning" (FLOOD) on the road.
TEAM
Management: Kristina Latino; Cornerscape Artist Management
Distribution & Label Services: Stephanie Hudacek - Soundly Music via The Orchard
Lawyer: Jeff Colvin - Marcus & Colvin LLP Nashville
Radio: Angela Backstrom; Angela Backstrom Promo
Canada Press: Ken Beattie; Killbeat Music
USA Press: Leigh Greaney; Big Hassle
FALL 2023 TOUR DATES
07/15 - Stewart Park Festival - Perth, ON
08/03 - Mile Of Music Festival - Appleton, WI
10/04 - Ursa - Montreal, QC
10/05 - National Arts Centre - Ottawa, ON
10/11 - Mills Hardware - Hamilton, ON
10/12 - Aeolian Hall - London, ON
10/16 - West End Cultural Centre - Winnipeg, MB
10/17 - The Bassment - Saskatoon, SK
10/18 - Artesian - Regina, SK
10/19 - The Owl - Lethbridge, AB
10/20 - Speakeasy Garage - Calgary, AB
10/21 - The Aviary - Edmonton, AB
10/22 - The Ironwood - Calgary, AB
10/23 - The Winspear - Edmonton, AB
10/24 - Eclipse - Canmore, AB
10/25 - Dream Cafe - Penticton, BC
10/26 - The Heatley - Vancouver, BC
10/29 - Tractor Tavern - Seattle, WA
10/30 - Alberta Street Pub - Portland, OR
11/04 - Hotel Cafe - Los Angeles, CA
Praise for Cerulean
“Capturing universal truths with pinpoint precision…Cerulean is a painstakingly truthful exploration of depression’s quiet, insidious toll, and Yates’ bare-faced songwriting is stunning in its candidness and relatability…The unexpectedly spirited earworms of sadness…urging acceptance of the discomfort and demanding repeat listens.” -NO DEPRESSION
"It’s another lyrical vessel of yearning and emotional reckoning matched up with strummed acoustic guitar, further setting the scene for what Cerulean has in store." - FLOOD
"Cerulean is more astral than backroads, a soundscape that gives Yates room to ruminate, approaching the concert hall atmospherics of The War on Drugs, Andy Shauf, and Big Thief." - The Creek 100.9
“Yates has now asserted himself as one of Canada’s most unique folk artists with a true knack for effective songwriting.” - Canadian Beats
"An enchanting song of acceptance and resolve, Ken Yates’ “The Big One” is a soothing and stirring apocalyptic lullaby that finds refuge in the face of life’s fragility." - Atwood Magazine
"Ken has earned a strong reputation as a bona-fide composer who combines his emotionally charged storytelling with some incredible and unforgettable melodies.” - Great Dark Wonder
Download Press Photos Below
Credit: Melissa Alderton
Credit: Brianna Fish
Credit: Brianna Fish
Credit: Brianna Fish
Credit: Melissa Alderton
Credit: Melissa Alderton
Credit: Melissa Alderton
Recent Press
“Capturing universal truths with pinpoint precision…Cerulean is a painstakingly truthful exploration of depression’s quiet, insidious toll, and Yates’ bare-faced songwriting is stunning in its candidness and relatability…The unexpectedly spirited earworms of sadness…urging acceptance of the discomfort and demanding repeat listens.” -NO DEPRESSION
"It’s another lyrical vessel of yearning and emotional reckoning matched up with strummed acoustic guitar, further setting the scene for what Cerulean has in store." - FLOOD
"Cerulean is more astral than backroads, a soundscape that gives Yates room to ruminate, approaching the concert hall atmospherics of The War on Drugs, Andy Shauf, and Big Thief." - The Creek 100.9
“Yates has now asserted himself as one of Canada’s most unique folk artists with a true knack for effective songwriting.” - Canadian Beats
"An enchanting song of acceptance and resolve, Ken Yates’ “The Big One” is a soothing and stirring apocalyptic lullaby that finds refuge in the face of life’s fragility." - Atwood Magazine
"Ken has earned a strong reputation as a bona-fide composer who combines his emotionally charged storytelling with some incredible and unforgettable melodies.” - Great Dark Wonder
TOUR HISTORY
2022
10/27 - National Arts Centre - Ottawa, ON
10/20 - Aeolian Hall - London, ON
Co-bill tour with Stephanie Lambring
10/09 - The Parlor Room - Northampton, MA
10/08 - The Red Room - Boston, MA
10/06 - Spire Center - Plymouth, MA
10/05 - World Cafe Live - Philadelphia, PA
10/04 - Pie Shop - Washington, DC
10/03 - Rockwood Music Hall - New York, NY
10/01 - The Timber House - Rochester, NY
09/30 - The Ark - Ann Arbor, MI
09/29 - 20 Front Street - Lake Orion, MI
09/28 - SPACE - Chicago, IL
09/27 - Southgate House - Cincinnati, OH
Supporting Kathleen Edwards
08/19 - Market Hall - Peterborough, ON
08/09 - Royal Botanical Gardens - Burlington, ON
Headlining Tour
07 - Home County Festival - London, ON
06/25 - Mills Hardware - Hamilton, ON
06/22 - The Cameron House - Toronto, ON
06/20 - The Red House - Kingston, ON
06/19 - Bowie’s - Smith Falls, ON
06/18 - Bayfield Town Hall - Bayfield, ON
06/11 - Pumpstock - East Lansing, MI
06/08 - The Ark - Ann Arbor, MI
2020
Supporting Ryan McMullan
02/08 - The Crocodile Seattle, WA
02/07 - Bunk Bar Portland, OR
02/05 - Cafe Du Nord San Francisco, CA
02/04 - Moroccan Lounge Los Angeles, CA
02/01 - Lost Lake Lounge Denver, CO
01/30 - Schuba’s Chicago, IL
01/29 - The High Watt Nashville, TN
01/26 - The Locks Philadelphia, PA
01/25 - The Red Room Boston, MA
01/24 - Mercury Lounge New York, NY
2019
10/03 - Singhampton Community Centre Sinhampton, ON
09/27 - Neat Cafe Burnstown, ON
09/25 - Stone City Ales Kingston, ON
09/20 - Aeolian Hall London, ON
09/19 - Warehouse Music Hall St. Catharine’s, ON
Supporting Jenn Grant
05/25 - Fortune Sound Club Vancouver, BC
05/24 - Capital Ballroom Victoria, BC
05/22 - Hume Hotel Nelson, BC
05/21 - Communitea Cafe Canmore, AB
05/18 - Studio Bell Calgary, AB
05/17 - Station on Jasper Edmonton, AB
05/16 - The Bassment Saskatoon, SK
05/15 - Artesian Regina, SK
05/14 - West End Cultural Center Winnipeg, MB
Supporting Passenger
04/20 - Den Atelier Luxembourg
04/18 - Emsland Arena Lingen, Germany
04/16 - Roxy Prague, Czech Republic
03/14 - Klub Studio Krakow, Poland
04/12 - Akvarium Budapest, Hungary
04/11 - Gasometer Vienna, Austria
04/07 - Estragon Bologna, Italy
04/05 - Paloma Nimes, France
04/03 - Teatre Del Liceu Barcelona, Spain
04/02 - Sala Riviera Madrid, Spain
11/06 - Belasco Theater Los Angeles, CA
11/04 - The Fillmore San Francisco, CA
11/02 - Crystal Ballroom Portland, OR
10/31 - Showbox Theater Seattle, WA
10/30 - Vogue Theatre Vancouver, BC
10/27 - Gothic Theater Denver, CO
10/25 - First Avenue Minneapolis, MN
10/23 - The Phoenix Toronto, ON
10/21 - Corona Theatre Montreal, QC
10/19 - Paradise Rock Club Boston, MA
10/18 - Brooklyn Steel Brooklyn, NY
10/16 - 930 Club Washington, DC
09/21 - Live Wire Music Series Kingston, ON
09/20 - Burdock Music Hall Toronto, ON
09/16 - Sellersville Theatre w/ Amy Helm Sellersville, PA
09/14 - Acorn Theater Three Oaks, MI
09/13 - London Music Club London, ON
09/06 - 20 Front Street Lake Orion, MI
08/24 - Windsong Festival Powassan, ON
08/11 - Live From The Rock Festival Red Rock, ON
07/21 - Home County Folk Festival London, ON
06/14 - The Ark Ann Arbor, MI
05/17 - Natalie's Columbus, OH
05/12 - Caffe Lena Saratoga Springs, NY
05/11 - Me and Thee Coffeehouse Marblehead, MA
04/19 - Seven Steps Up Spring Lake, MI
04/18 - Aeolian Hall London, ON
04/15 - Private Event Sudbury, ON
04/14 - National Arts Centre Ottawa, ON
04/13 - Starstop Concert Series Napanee, ON
04/08 - Logan Street Sanctuary Noblesville, IN
04/07 - Vox Concert Series Marshfield, WI
04/06 - WBSD Presents Burlington, WI
04/05 - Uncommon Ground Chicago, IL
04/02 - The Ark w/ Terra Lightfoot Ann Arbor, MI
03/31 - Johnson Hall w/ Crystal Bowersox Gardiner, ME
03/30 - City Winery w/ Crystal Bowersox Boston, MA
03/25 - Sellersville Theater w/ Crystal Bowersox Sellersville, PA
03/24 - Deer Creek Concerts Reisterstown, MD
03/23 - Songbyrd w/ Crystal Bowersox Washington, DC
03/11 - Mills Hardware w/ Rose Cousins Hamilton, ON
03/10 - Harbourfront Centre w/ Rose Cousins Toronto, ON
03/09 - Maxwell's w/ Rose Cousins Waterloo, ON
03/04 - Petit Campus w/ Rose Cousins Montreal, QC
01/13 - Club Passim w/ Heather Maloney Cambridge, MA
2018
12/16 - The Acorn Theater Three Oaks, MI
12/15 - 20 Front Street Lake Orion, MI
12/08 - Stonecroft Folk Ingersoll, ON
12/07 - Seven Steps Up Spring Lake, MI
12/02 - Greenbank Music Hall Greenbank, ON
11/23 - Mills Hardware Hamilton, ON
11/21 - Burdock Toronto, ON
11/17 - Old Church Theatre Trenton, ON
11/02 - Milkboy w/ Whitehorse Philadelphia, PA
11/01 - Jammin Java w/ Whitehorse Vienna, VA
10/28 - Salem Public Library Salem, CT
10/27 - Norton Farm Gloucester, MA
10/25 - Burdock Music Hall Toronto, ON
10/19-20 - Folk Music Ontario Mississauga, ON
10/15 - Grand Spirits Distillery Grand Valley, ON
10/14 - Music Up Close Concerts Innisfil, ON
10/13 - The Acorn Theater Three Oaks, MI
10/09 - Rockwood Music Hall New York, NY
10/07 - Spire Center for the Arts Plymouth, MA
10/04 - Music Box Supper Club Cleveland, OH
09/24 - AMP By Strathmore North Bethesda, MD
09/23 - Burlap and Bean Newtown Square, PA
09/22 - Sellersville Theater Sellersville, PA
09/19 - The Ark Ann Arbor, MI
09/17 - The Acoustic Grill Picton, ON
09/16 - Desboro Music Hall Desboro, ON
09/15 - Private Event Sarnia, ON
09/14 - 20 Front Street Lake Orion, MI
08/24 - The Cameron House Toronto, ON
08/23 - Jammin Java Vienna, VA
08/18 - Summerfolk Festival Owen Sound, ON
07/14 - Stewart Park Festival Perth, ON
06/29 - The Birchmere Alexandria, VA
06/23 - Acorn Theater Three Oaks, MI
06/03 - Bayfield Town Hall Bayfield, ON
05/07 - Logan Street Sanctuary Noblesville, IN
05/06 - The Ark Ann Arbor, MI
05/05 - EmDee Concerts LaSalle, ON
04/30 - Monaplex Concerts North Andover, MA
04/29 - Three Sheets To The Wind Fest Portland, ME
04/23 - Aeolian Hall London, ON
04/09 - City Winery Chicago, IL
04/06 - Natalie's Columbus, OH
03/25 - The Listening Room Port Clinton, OH
03/24 - Seven Steps Up Spring Lake, MI
03/23 - Pump House Concerts East Lansing, MI
03/18 - Six String Concerts Columbus, OH
03/17 - Miami Valley Concert Series Dayton, OH
03/15 - Burdock Music Hall Toronto, ON
03/11 - London Music Club London, ON
03/10 - Kable House Presents York, PA
02/25 - Darrell S Moffatt Hall Tilbury, ON
02/19 - Ca'D'Zan Concerts Cambridge, IL
02/15 - Folk Alliance Kansas City, MO
02/14 - The Coffee House Burlington, WI
02/13 - Uncommon Ground Chicago, IL
02/12 - Chicago Street Theater Valparaiso, IN
02/10 - Bruce Wine Bar Thornbury, ON
02/09 - Starstop Concert Series Napanee, ON
01/28 - The Barns at Wolf Trap Vienna, VA
01/27 - Rusty Rail Brewing Company Mifflinburg, PA
01/17 - The Ark Ann Arbor, MI
01/09 - Delbert McClinton's Sandy Beaches Cruise Jamaica/Cayman Islands