Yo La Tengo’s Ira Kaplan

Episode notes

Ira Kaplan (right), James McNew (center) and Georgia Hubley (left) of Yo La Tengo
(Photo: Cheryl Dunn)

Ira Kaplan has played guitar and co-fronted the band Yo La Tengo for almost forty years.

Him and his wife Georgia Hubley started the band back in 1984. Their music is understated and delicate. Yet, remarkably striking — they are the perfect tunes for your life’s soundtrack.

The band’s gone through a couple of changes throughout the years. Their current bassist James McNew joined the group in the 90s. But, Yo La Tengo continues to make great music.

They’re beloved by critics and dads, far and wide. And they’ve just released their seventeenth album: This Stupid World.

On Bullseye, Ira Kaplan talks about Yo La Tengo’s latest album, the band’s early influences and the story behind their name. Plus, he gets into the kind of “old guy” musician he wants to be.

Yo La Tengo is going on tour next year. For more information about dates and tickets, click here.

In this episode...

Guests

Ira Kaplan

About the show

Bullseye is a celebration of the best of arts and culture in public radio form. Host Jesse Thorn sifts the wheat from the chaff to bring you in-depth interviews with the most revered and revolutionary minds in our culture.

Bullseye has been featured in Time, The New York Times, GQ and McSweeney’s, which called it “the kind of show people listen to in a more perfect world.” Since April 2013, the show has been distributed by NPR.

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