• KPFB interview: Women veterans’ reintegration November 16, 2014 Yesterday I was interviewed by Vylma Ortiz on her show “Goddess on the Radio” (KPFB Berkeley, 89.3 FM) about some of the barriers that women veterans face upon returning home from war – even though the shows aren’t archived, my friend Steve was so kind as to record it for me. So give Steve a big old thank-you hug ...
• “In Your Mind” on Wake Magazine compilation April 13, 2014 Check it out – my song “In Your Mind” is included on  this new compilation by Wake Magazine! You can stream it free here: http://wakezine.bandcamp.com/album/return-home-vol-i
• KPFA radio appearance, 3/3/14 April 4, 2014 Listen here! I did an interview with Kate Raphael on her show Women’s Magazine on KPFA – we talked about my music, the Global Try Not To Be A Dick Movement, and the importance of looking on the funny side of life. I played a couple-few songs, too – one is “Talking National Park Service Beat My Ass ...
• Interview: Syracuse.com, 8/16/13 August 16, 2013 Emily Yates brings her vulgar, poignant ukulele music to Westcott Theater Ukulele player Emily Yates comes to the Westcott Theater Aug. 16 By Max O’Connell Emily Yates plans to take over the world. How? With a ukulele, some songs and a whole lot of vulgarity. The Syracuse native continues her “Eventual World Domination Tour with a stop at the Westcott ...
• American Homecomings: 2nd of 5 installments July 30, 2012 Emily Yates: A veteran in search of validation* Emily Yates rushes to the performance area for a sound check before a private home concert in Los Altos, Calif. on Thursday, July 25, 2012. Yates, ex-Army, did two tours in Iraq. Now back home, she is pursuing her passions and interests, which include her studies at UC Berkeley ...
• American Homecomings: 1st of 5 installments June 2, 2012 After six unhappy years in the Army, veteran unlocks life of many passions By Gary Peterson / Contra Costa TimesPosted on June 4, 2012 One of Emily Yates’ favorite spots on the UC Berkeley campus is the top floor of a tall building, a place so typically deserted and peaceful that she prefers not to reveal its location lest ...

Musicians
“Emily Yates writes and sings songs that will make you laugh because they’re witty and are based in a subject matter of unspeakable truths. You’ll think it’s funny when she recommends you ‘try not to be a dick’ or confesses she’d ‘rather be high than an asshole,’ but you’ll realize she’s right. Underneath the dark, dirty humor might be the advice you’ve been seeking to help you be a happier human.”
– Paul Hoffman, Greensky Bluegrass

“There are patriots, and there are artists—in the best of countries, they coexist. Emily Yates is *the* musical intersection of patriotic devotion, satiric comedy, and a light hearted approach to reformation of Americana Culture. Try not to be a dick, and you’ll experience the difference too!”
– Colin Huff, formerly of Gipsy Moon

“Emily certainly knows how to make an impression. Even at first listen in a crowded bar, a song like ‘Northern California Love Song’ can become a sing-along by the third chorus. Though there are a lot of words to get down, it feels like they have somehow been in your heart all along.”
– Joe Hickey, Hangover Brigade

“When Emily takes the stage you feel like she is channeling Woody Guthrie. She’s a natural and belongs right there, carrying on Woody’s spirit, writing songs about subjects that matter!”
– Maggie Forti, singer-songwriter

Fans

“Only Ms. Yates can make me shout out loud at a stoplight on a Tuesday morning, ‘Oh my fucking GOD, Emily!'”
– Karen P.

“Emily Yates is the definition of American exceptionalism, armed with a banjo and/or a ukulele her modern and original take on American folk is both humorous and refreshing. Even if you don’t have the gall to be as honest as she is, at the very least you can live vicariously through her song by song on each of her albums.”
– Zollie G.

“Emily Yates is the full manifestation of lovely humor, wit, thoughtfulness, fun, and intelligence in topical and memorable songwriting. (Maybe a bit too memorable, with her songs getting stuck in my head. ‘Try not to be a …’)”
– Patrick G.

“I just like how Emily exploded like the right kind of bomb – without hurting anybody, and yet shamelessly blasting. I hope she continues to blow up.”
– Teresa Rogerson, stand-up comic

On the radio:

The California Report

In newspapers:

“There’s no denying Yates’ piercing wit and unflinching commitment to telling the truth as she sees it. From “I Don’t Want to Have a Baby,” to “Shut Yer Face,” to “Foreign Policy Folk Song,” you don’t have to wonder what she’s thinking.” – American Homecomings, 5th installment

“… the world is indeed at the feet of this 29-year-old Oakland resident with myriad interests and a boundless passion with which to pursue them.” – San Jose Mercury News

“Upon her discharge in 2008, Yates hopped in her car and embarked on meandering cross-country journey. She hasn’t slowed down since. In addition to her education … she has immersed herself in activism, music, photography and writing.” – American Homecomings, 2nd installment

Booking: booking@emilyyatesmusic.com

Click here to get on The List

Emily Yates spent the first part of her adult life as an Army public affairs minion, writing heartwarming news stories about the Iraq War to help build fellow soldiers’ morale, and destroy her own. Shortly after her release from the military in 2008, she moved to Oakland, CA, where she learned to play the ukulele, and decided to merge her dual passions for writing and music. Quickly realizing that this would be the best way to get her many opinions out to the world, she set to work writing dozens of ditties and playing them for unsuspecting strangers, who luckily were delighted. In 2012 she recorded her first album, I’ve Got Your Folk Songs Right Here, a fun romp through myriad ideas ranging from human decency to sexual expression to foreign policy. She released her second album, Folk In Your Face, in May 2014, and now travels all over the country spreading joy and disillusionment, alternately, with her songs and stories.

In the few years since her initial performances, Yates has recorded three full-length albums, one entirely comprised of original songs for children (released under a pseudonym). She’s supported and performed with members of Americana bands (including Hot Buttered Rum, Railroad Earth, Fruition, Leftover Salmon and others) and rock bands (New Monsoon, Grant Farm, Good Gravy, Scott Pemberton Trio), as well as with other singer-songwriters and stand-up comedians. She’s toured America and performs regularly in the Bay Area and all over the west coast. Although she’s still in the beginning stages of “Eventual Ukulele Superstardom,” she is sure that soon she will be able to drop the “Eventual” and just move on to total world domination. Especially since she now also plays the tenor banjo – everyone knows how effective a communication tool banjos can be.

For all your music, songbook, sticker & koozie needs
(Click on the pictures to add items to your cart.)

CDs:

Folk In Your Face (2014)

I’ve Got Your Folk Songs Right Here (2012)

A kids’ album! (2014)

Stickers:

Try Not To Be A Dick Stickers

Songbook:

Lyrics, chords, & illustrations from I’ve Got Your Folk Songs Right Here and Folk In Your Face.

Koozies:

Try Not To Be A Dick Koozies