December 17th, 2015
This series of features highlights the 2015 NewSong Music finalists. Each artist is invited to Lincoln Center on January 7th for the opportunity to win the #NSM Grand Prize. We sat down with each finalist to learn more about their music and background. Hope you enjoy!
BIO
Born and Raised in London, Ontario, Ken Yates moved to Boston to study songwriting at Berklee College of Music. It was there that he developed his skills as a songwriter, releasing his first album, “The Backseat EP”. Yates’ songwriting ability started getting notice right away, including attention from John Mayer, who posted a full page blog about Yates’ ability as a writer stating, “Ken Yates wrote a song called ‘I Don’t Wanna Fall In Love’… this song moved me when I first heard it and still does today”.
In 2013, he released his first full length album “twenty-three” with US record label Mishara Music. He has toured with many notable names including veteran singer/songwriter and mentor, Livingston Taylor, Sister Hazel, Peter Katz, and Liz Longley and has songs in heavy rotation on Sirius XM’s The Coffee House where he was nominated for The Coffee House Songwriter Discovery of the Year. He was recently chosen as The 2014 Colleen Peterson Award winner by the Ontario Arts Council for his song “The One That Got Away”.
Yates is currently working on his new album “Huntsville”, produced by Jim Bryson and set for release in 2016.
Q:What does it mean to you to be selected as a NewSong finalist, and what do you hope to get out of the experience?
A: Thrilled! It really means a lot to be selected knowing there were so many entries and a ton of great songs out there. I’m looking forward to getting to know the other 9 finalists and sharing the experience with them. Being a songwriter can be a lonely road sometimes, and I love that the NewSong contest creates an environment that allows artist to connect with each other and hopefully create lasting relationships.
Q: How did you hear about New Song Music?
A: I heard about it from a few past finalists who speak very highly of the NewSong Contest being a great community for artists.
Q: What is currently happening with your music?
A: I have a new album called “Huntsville” coming out in 2016. I don’t have a release date yet, but the song I submitted for the NewSong Contest will be the title track.
Q: What is your songwriting process?
A: Songs come to life in different ways, but I typically start with a guitar part that outlines a melody. Sometimes I’ll go for weeks singing that melody over and over until I have lyrical idea. Some lyrics come quicker than others, but I won’t start writing words until I think I have a good lyrical idea. When I first started writing, I mostly made up stories, but a lot of my newer songs either stem from my own experiences, or they come from real life stories I’ve heard about. Most importantly, I try to write every day. That kind of repetition is essential to coming up with good ideas.
