Ken Yates

Ken Yates is an award-winning singer-songwriter known for his introspective storytelling and signature blend of folk, indie, and rock influences. Working with producer Dan Ledwell in Halifax, his latest album, Total Cinema (2025), marks a defining evolution in his sound. With this record, Yates explores themes of gratitude and self-awareness with characteristic precision and emotional depth.

The album has earned widespread acclaim from outlets including NPR Music, Rolling Stone, The Toronto Star, and No Depression, with NPR’s Ann Powers declaring, “I’m obsessed with this song by Canadian troubadour Ken Yates,” while Atwood Magazine called the music a “bright, cathartic reckoning.” The release has also sparked a wave of artist support from Sam Fender, Medium Build, Lori McKenna, Kathleen Edwards, and others, while bringing a wave of new listeners to his music.

Total Cinema follows Yates’ 2022 album, Cerulean, which earned a Contemporary Album of the Year nomination at the Canadian Folk Music Awards. With new music on the horizon, Yates continues to assert his place as one of the most incisive voices in rising indie music.