“Yield Not To Temptation” arrives December 3, 2025, and serves as the first taste of Vancouver piano powerhouse Mike Van Eyes’ forthcoming album Ain’t That Loving You, Baby. Anchored by his ferocious boogie-woogie touch and deep roots in classic rhythm & blues, the track barrels forward with the swagger of a seasoned performer who’s spent decades lighting up stages rather than chasing trends. It’s raw, joyful and impossible to sit still to. A shot of vintage rock ’n’ roll adrenaline in a modern landscape.
A cornerstone of Vancouver’s roots and rock scene for decades, Van Eyes has performed and recorded alongside an incredible lineup of legends and local heroes. From his work with The Epics and the all-star powerhouse The Trespassers (featuring members of DOA, SNFU and The Scramblers), to touring with the Herald Nix Band and sharing stages with the likes of The Clash and Howlin’ Wolf, his career has been built on genuine musical connection rather than hype. His contributions to artists like Colin James, The Yodells, Copyright, GI Blues, and Peewee Clayton further cement his place as one of the city’s true musical lifers.
“Yield Not To Temptation” captures Van Eyes’ lived-in spirit with a loose but driving groove, sharp piano attack and a horn-fuelled band that swings without forcing it. Anchored by a scorching sax solo from Jerry Cook and soulful backing vocals from Dawn Pemberton, the track was recorded at the legendary Mushroom Studios (now Afterlife) and produced and engineered by Juno Award-winner Erik P.H. Nielsen. The result balances classic analog warmth with a clean, punchy modern mix, keeping Van Eyes’ piano front and centre while giving the rhythm section room to breathe.
For the forthcoming album, Van Eyes is backed by his full 24-piece Big Band, a heavyweight lineup whose résumés stretch across classic soul and rock history, including musicians like Tim Porter, Chris Davis and Dave Say (to name a few), who are tied to the likes of Keith Richards, Michael Bublé, The Temptations and The Supremes. On stage and on record, the band brings both punch and sophistication, continuing to draw packed houses across Vancouver at revered venues like the Commodore, Railway Club, Revel Room and The Yale.
With “Yield Not To Temptation”, Mike Van Eyes isn’t looking back, he’s carrying the sound forward with style, heart and serious chops. The single lands December 3, 2025.
