Headliners held its first singer/songwriter night. The guitar strumming was smooth, and the songwriting was witty. The best lyrics I heard were from Yates, singing about a Canadian coffee waitress: It'd be fun to kiss you in French/It'd be fun to tickle you in French/Sure wish I knew French.
-- Otis R. Taylor, Jr., The State, Columbia, SC, 4/30/2004
Steeped in the barbed lyrical tradition of Elvis Costello and Randy Newman, Yates is a clever songsmith with an indelibly off-kilter sense of humor. His songs are simple and folk-based and, much like Newman before him, he sings from the heart, generally about what he sees. His simple, strumming style blends perfectly with his straightforward vocal delivery, incorporating the witty words with sweet, simple melodies thatll stick in your head like peanut butter to the roof of your mouth.
-- Pat Wall, Free Times, Columbia, SC, 3/31/2004
Any songwriter bold enough to namecheck himself in song is immediately worth your attention. Phil Yates put(s) his clever craft and composition to use as a singer-songwriter.
-- Kevin Foster Langston, Free Times, Columbia, SC 12/17/2003
I write songs. I sing songs. I guess that makes me a songwriter. Sometimes people have been nice enough to write kind words about me and make them permanent in some sort of news medium.
There are many influences that I wish could be heard in my songs: The Beatles, Elvis Costello, R.E.M., Elliott Smith, Billy Bragg, The Lemonheads, Old 97's. Whether or not this is actually the case depends on the listener, I guess. For better or worse, it sounds like a Phil Yates song.
The open mic scene in Burlington, VT gave me my start. Columbia, SC really encouraged me. Blame those two cities for what you hear as you read this. Chicago was next in line. Now I am in Los Angeles hoping for the best!
I've had the opportunity to share the stage with a bunch of great acts: The Mountain Goats, Mary Prankster, Foundation/Ann Beretta, The Push Stars. Most importantly, I've had plenty of opportunities to play shows and perform with my friends (you know who you are).
Expect some new recording by the end of 2008. It will either be a Phil Yates album or an album with some band. But I will be on it in some way, shape, or form. Just you wait.
I edited my profile with Thomas' Myspace Editor V4.4
