Mike Yates and the Candidates

You walk into the club in anticipation of the evening's performance. You expect the typical amplifier stacks, array of guitars, huge drum set, and sound gear. Instead, you make your way up to the stage to find a cello and a microphone. "Until Mike walks on the stage, the audience is expecting something else" . Despite mostly acoustic instruments, Mike's curriosity lies in the art of blending traditional acoustic sounds with pop/folk/soul and funk elements in the most intricate arrangements.



I'm a newcomer to the arena of singer/songwriters, having written my first song in 2004. I'm no stranger however to the Canadian music scene, having spent years as an orchestral and solo cellist. With a very busy schedule as a fulll time string music teacher, I spend most of my remaining free time composing, arranging and recording string parts for various pop artists across Canada. The odd time you'll catch me performing some of my original music live.



"An adventurous musical soul who refuses to conform to mainstream male pop music. His songs are about the human experience that jangle, soar, and rock! The production on his latest record "songs for tomorrow" is one that sounds live and world class, which does this superb collection of songs justice. A record you won't want to leave home without."



Emm Gryner - Singer/Songwriter/Juno Nominee



"Mike Yates' newest record "Songs for Tomorrow" starts off with a rhythm that pulls you in right away with initial track State of Us showing off the band's tight rhythm and Mike's strong but tonally soft voice. This album gives Mike's songwriting the space to fly, and his voice room to move from his mellow deeper sounds to his more urgent rock quality. And then there's the cello.what I think of as Mike's signature, found in this rock/pop album as ear candy - sweet."



Pat Moore - CKCU Radio (Ottawa)



"Every once in a while you see a musical act that can catch you by surprise; make you stop what you're doing, pay attention and remember what you love about music. Mike Yates and the Candidates is one of those acts. I have seen it with my own eyes - audiences transformed by their eclectic blend of cello infused rock music."



IndieCan Radio