Exclusive Interview with Darryn Yates

Artist Spotlight: Darryn Yates

For Yates, authenticity is more than a buzzword. It is the force that pulled him out of his darkest moments and the foundation of everything he is building now. He calls it “the fire,” a drive that he believes every artist has to uncover for themselves.

Our conversation with Darryn Yates takes us inside the mind of a creative powerhouse — and what continues to inspire them.

Outverge: What’s the most challenging aspect of being a song artist?

Darryn Yates: I think the most challenging part is when you realize a lot of people in our inner circle and in society in general are not going to give us very good vibes when we pursue a dream in entertainment. You must do it for the right reasons to put up with all the resistance that comes your way. We must embrace it and know it's part of the game. There's a reason most don't pursue anything extraordinary because it is not easy. So when we do go for it, I believe many see in us what they are not doing. Keep going. Write about it. You will hear my response to this resistance in a lot of my new retro rock songs.

Outverge: How do you navigate the business side of the music industry?

Darryn Yates: I study the people who are at where I want to be. I keep an open mind and I know that the traditional mindset that many still have to this day will not do you any good. Look up "growth mindset" if you don't know what it is and become that. I think the best way to deal with the business side is to not think about the business side until you have built a brand, you have a message, a purpose, and you are releasing your art in a way where you know you have arrived. Then, let the who's do the what's. Use your research and find the right team to help you in the business area. Be patient. Go with your instincts. Protect your energy.

Outverge: What personal qualities do you think are most important for a musician to have?

Darryn Yates: I think musicians need to have a vulnerability when they write and a huge chip on their shoulder when they deliver their message or start figuring out the marketing. Don't back down to what your real dream is. If being in a cover band is not what your real dream is, then stop doing that. Be resilient and ready to grind. Go make happen what you know deep down is going to make you happy. Another huge important quality is being authentic to what your message is and what you want to be known for. Figure out what fires you up and go at it with everything you have. Laugh at and/or ignore all the mediocre naysayers.

Outverge: How do you keep your live performances fresh and exciting for both you and your audience?

Darryn Yates: When I write I think about my situation, what I've been through, and I write from the heart through blood, sweat and tears. I think this authenticity is why my new retro rock music is being felt by people. But when I perform I think about the audience mostly. I want them to leave a Darryn Yates show inspired and/or entertained. I always throw in stuff at the live show that will make them want to come back again. I want them thinking: "Wow, F Yeah, or WTF was that?" lol

Outverge: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from performing live?

Darryn Yates: The crowd will mirror what the performer is doing and feeling. If the artist is nervous, the crowd will be too. If the artist is rocking and having an absolute blast, the audience will too. I have also learned that no show goes perfectly. You need to be able to roll with sound issues, amp problems, guitar strings breaking, forgetting a lyric here and there, and just smile and have fun! Make it an event, make it a party! Make them feel something.

Outverge: What's the most important thing to remember when working with producers, engineers, and other collaborators?

Darryn Yates: I think artists need to do their research and due diligence when seeking out the right people to work with. Once you do find them and the process starts, trust them and let them do what they do best. Don't be too controlling. Stay true to your vision yes but there's magic in what others can bring, so let that have a chance to happen. You can always be cool and nice when you need things changed or if you feel like your vision isn't being created properly. Speak up, communicate, there's power in numbers.

Outverge: What inspires your songwriting? Do you draw from personal experiences or fictional stories?

Darryn Yates: My 1st go-around in the music business in Los Angeles, Nashville and St. Louis was with the band I formed, On Tracy Lane. When I wrote for OTL, it was more fun, partying, fictional type stuff, but after going through a bunch of life stuff and now that I am releasing brand new retro rock music under the Darryn Yates name, it is all about writing from the heart. I figured out my message and purpose, so my writing today involves a lot of tears, grit, heartfelt emotions, and speaking my truth.

Outverge: Can you give us an example of a song where the lyrics were particularly challenging to write?

Darryn Yates: Yes, it just happened in the studio last month when my producer Kevin W. Gates and I were working out the parts to my new song coming out on Halloween 2025 called "Swing For The Fences". My initial idea for this song was written on acoustic guitar and I don't use a click track for the rough demos. Apparently, I slowed down the tempo during the chorus and Kevin wanted to keep the song rockin & rollin so when I went over the vocal parts in the hotel before laying down vocals the next day, I realized that my original melodies and lyrics were not working! I had to sing faster and it didn't sound or feel right. So I had to come up with new lyrics and melodies for the chorus and the bridge part was tweaked too. No pressure! ha But I found it quite exciting and I knew that something special was going to come from this and now this chorus and song is one of my favorites that I've written! Another example of using adversity and turning it into something badass.

Outverge: What's the most important thing to you when it comes to creating a sense of atmosphere or mood in your music?

Darryn Yates: I think writing from the heart and doing what I feel is aligned with my true authentic vision and brand...I think that is when other hearts will feel it as well. It's crazy, when you try too hard to make people feel something, it becomes more difficult. When you just write from your personal journey, that is when other humans are going to feel something no matter what genre it is. Just be real and you will find others who are inspired or entertained by it.

Outverge: How do you approach combining different genres, styles, or influences in your music?

Darryn Yates: I think the best approach is to not have an approach at all. The only approach I have nowadays and what I recommend to other artists is to be so honest with your art and be so real and vulnerable with your expression that you let others decide what your genre or style is. Your influences will naturally come out. The only reason I call my new material retro rock is because that is what most people started saying it sounded like. I was like ok cool retro rock it is. It comes from my heart so directly that it really doesn't matter what genre because I know it's real. Being real is the big domino that will knock down the other little dominoes so many others stress out about.