Ira Kaplan is a co-founder, vocalist, guitarist and songwriter in the American indie rock band Yo La Tengo. He is married to the band's co-founder Georgia Hubley. A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College, Kaplan formed Yo La Tengo in the early 1980s. Previously, he worked as a music critic for the SoHo Weekly News, New York Rocker and Village Voice, as well as serving as a soundman, roadie and backup musician for Mofungo and other New York-area bands. Kaplan's life, family, and musical development were chronicled in the book Big Day Coming: Yo La Tengo and the Rise of Indie Rock, by Jesse Jarnow. Kaplan's vocals were featured in Eluvium's 2013 album Nightmare Ending in the song "Happiness". He sporadically hosts a free-form radio program on WFMU under the name "Ira the K."
Born: | January 7, 1957, Queens, New York, United States |
Genres: | Indie rock |
Occupation(s): | Singer-songwriter, musician |
Instruments: | Vocals, Guitar, Piano |
Years active: | 1984–present |
Associated acts: | Yo La Tengo |
IMDb: | Ira Kaplan's IMDb |
About Ira Kaplan
Guitarist and vocalist who is one of the founding members of indie rock group Yo La Tengo.
Before Fame
He graduated from Sarah Lawrence College.
Achievement
Before forming Yo La Tengo, he worked as a music critic for publications like Scribe, SoHo Weekly News and Village Voice.
Family Life
His wife is Yo La Tengo drummer Georgia Hubley.
Associations
He befriended filmmaker Hal Hartley in college. Hal often uses Yo La Tengo's music in his movies.
Information related to Ira Kaplan
- Yo La Tengo members
- Jewish rock musicians
- Sarah Lawrence College alumni
- American radio DJs
- American indie rock musicians