Lori Yates profile picture

Lori Yates

Canadian alt country pioneer

About Me

.. CDBABY LINK for LORI YATES: The Book of Minerva -Lori Yates has been called a national treasure. As one of the pioneers of roots music in Canada her music can be described as pure "Canadiana" a mixture of country/cowpunk/folky/bluegrass.

Born in Oshawa Ontario, raised in the Toronto suburb of Downsview, Lori is a "first generation mall babe" having spent her formative years running wild in the aisles of Yorkdale Mall. Her early influences were: Dolly Parton, Pink Floyd, Tanya Tucker and Suzi Quattro.

Lori began singing and writing at 19 in the punk/new wave band "The Last Resorts". They played legendary T.O. clubs: The Turning Point and Larry's Hideaway. A career highlight for the band was opening for Teenage Head.

Lori then formed Rang Tango. They are considered one of the pioneers of alt. country/cowpunk in Canada. They came out of the fertile Queen West music scene of the mid "80's that gave birth to Blue Rodeo, Cowboy Junkies, and Handsome Ned.

Scooped up as a solo artitst by Sony Nashville, "Can't Stop the Girl" was released worldwide in 1989. She toured with: Dwight Yoakum, Steve Earle, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Big Sugar. One of her first introductions to Nashville was a 2 a.m. demo session at Cowboy Jack Clement's studio which was produced by Bob Johnston (Bob Dylan's Nashville Skyline, Johnny Cash - Live at San Quentin). Marty Stuart played mandolin and Roy Husky Jr. played stand-up bass. Bob Johnston used Dylan demos to "tweak" the board.

While in Nashville, Lori had a chance to co-write with legendary writers: Don Schiltz, Guy Clark, Matraca Berg and Wendy Waldman.

Lori recorded a duet in Los Angeles with Gregg Allman (Allman Bros.) for a Patrick Swayze movie "Next of Kin" produced by David Kershenbaum (Tracy Chapman).

In 1993, Lori signed to VirginMusicCanada and released "Breaking Point" a collection of roots, rock and soul. Produced by Colin Linden and John Whynot and recorded at Bearsville, Woodstock NY. She was joined by the legendary Rick Danko (the Band) and Jim Cuddy (Blue Rodeo) on vocals. She toured with Blue Rodeo, Jan Arden, Colin James and Faith Hill. Lori was nominated for a Juno and CCMA award.

In 1996, she released her second VirginMusicCanada CD "Untogether" which was a complete artistic departure. She teamed up with trip-hop trio Opium Concepts to create an ethereal soundscape.

Returning to her roots, Hey Stella! was formed in 1998. The release of their debut CD, garnished them 1 band in NOW Magazine's readers poll. The band was formed with stellar veteran players: Bazil Donovan, David Baxter and Michelle Josef. Hey Stella! continue to be active on the club and festival circuit.

In 2001, Lori and her family moved to Hamilton, Ontario. She took up a residency at the "Corktown" playing solo acoustic. This inspired a prolific period of songwriting that harkens in the newest chapter of Lori's musical career. She also had the good fortune of meeting up with Buckshot Bebe, Chris Houston, Jimmy Vapid and Cleave Anderson to form trash/pop band: the Evelyn Dicks.

She is currently working on her 6th CD. Recording an acoustic based cd of her hardcore old school country originals with Michael Birthelmer in Hamilton and David Baxter in Toronto

Discography
Hey Stella! 1999 - Independent

Untogether 1996 - VirginMusicCanada

Breaking Point 1994 - VirginMusicCanada

Can't Stop the Girl 1989 - Sony Music

Rang Tango 1987 - Independent

Out of the Blue - An Acoustic Tribute to Neil Young - Sony Music

Forever Knight - Original Television Soundtrack

The Hanging Garden - Soundtrack

Next of Kin - Original Soundtrack

Leslie Spit Tree-o - Hell's Kitchen

The Lucky Ones - Willlie P. Bennett

South at Eight, North at Nine - Colin Linden

Classic Country - Volume 5. Sony Music

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 10/9/2006
Band Website: loriyates.com
Band Members:

Solo accoustic guitar or any combination of: David Baxter - guitar, Victor Bateman - stand-up bass, Randall Hill - mandolin, Lisa Winn - harmony vocals, Bazil Donovan - stand-up bass, Michelle Josef - drums.

Hey Stella!: myself, David Baxter (Justin Rutledge), Bazil Donovan (Blue Rodeo), Michelle Josef.

The Evelyn Dicks: myself, Buckshot Bebe (Poisioned Aeros), Chris Houston (Forgotten Rebels), Jimmy Vapid (The Vapids), Cleave Anderson (Viletones, The Screwed).


Influences: Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette, Concrete Blonde, P.J. Harvey, Brenda Lee, Leonard Cohen, Wanda Jackson, Johnny Cash, Teenage Head, Bruce Springsteen, Patti Smith, Maria McKee, Mae West, Collins Kids, Suzie Quattro, Viletones, Josephine Baker, Gillian Welch, Divinyls, Charles Bucowski, Lucille Starr, The Sharks, Memphis Minnie, Jackson 5, Janis Martin, Moxy, David Bowie, Fairground Attraction, Pat Benatar, Johnny Rivers, Merle Haggard, Ronnie Hawkins
Type of Label: None

My Blog

2x Winner Hamilton Music Awards: SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR!!! etc.

I just want to share my great news with everybody and use my bragging rights for at least one day!On November 18, 2007 I won 2 awards at the Hamilton Music Awards.SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR!!!The competit...
Posted by Lori Yates on Tue, 20 Nov 2007 07:11:00 PST

Nominated for 4 Hamilton Music Awards

I've been nominated for 4 Hamilton Music Awards, Sunday Nov.18 6pm, Hamilton Place Great Hall:Songwriter of the YearFemale Artist of the YearAlternative Country Recording of the YearFemale Vocalist of...
Posted by Lori Yates on Tue, 13 Nov 2007 09:12:00 PST

Check out this event: LORI YATES, CASTANETS, DEER TICK, JOEL ELLIOT

Hosted By: Lori Yates When: 02/11/2007Where: Pepperjack's Cafe38 King William St.Hamilton, CanadaDescription:Lori Yates Click Here To View Event...
Posted by Lori Yates on Tue, 30 Oct 2007 02:40:00 PST

Great CD Review - AMERICANA UK Oct.21/07

Heartfelt and touching, "The Book of Minerva" is one humdinger of an album...After an illustrious career on the Canadian Alt.Country music scene, Lori Yates seems to have departed from her days playin...
Posted by Lori Yates on Sat, 27 Oct 2007 04:13:00 PST

Lori live on CBC Fuse Sept. 23, 5pm. 94.1 F.M.

LORI YATES live on CBC Fuse Sept.23@5:00 p.m 94.1f.m. with Wendy McNeill and David Baxter.
Posted by Lori Yates on Sun, 23 Sep 2007 05:38:00 PST

CD Release Parties - Media Blitz!!!

  Wow, these past two weeks have been a whirlwind leading up to the official release of my new cd "The Book of Minerva" and its been fantastic, exhausting and very rewarding. -  David Baxter...
Posted by Lori Yates on Sun, 23 Sep 2007 12:50:00 PST

Meeting Johnny Cash

  Since this is my blog and supposedly no one reads blogs, I can blather away, trip down memory lane as much as I want!Bazil and I went to the ACC to see the Highwaymen - the original line-up: Wi...
Posted by Lori Yates on Sun, 12 Nov 2006 08:11:00 PST

When I Was A Punk cont. - Best Last Resorts Gig

I had this boyfriend Robbi who was an Ontario College of Arts grad and he took me downtown to see bands: the Diodes at OCA,  Teenage Head at Larry's, the Sharks at the Rondon, Viletones at the Ed...
Posted by Lori Yates on Mon, 06 Nov 2006 07:59:00 PST

When I Was A Punk...

People tend to assume b/c I sing country that I always sang country but really my first band was a new wave/punk band the Last Resorts.  I always had an interest in country and I confess I come b...
Posted by Lori Yates on Sun, 05 Nov 2006 09:20:00 PST

People have been asking...new CD?

Folks have been asking when I'm putting out a new cd so I thought I would update for those interested. I  received an Ontario Arts Council grant to make a cd (thank god) so I've been trudging alo...
Posted by Lori Yates on Sun, 05 Nov 2006 09:02:00 PST