Ira Kaplan

Ira Kaplan
Ira Kaplan in 2005
Background information
Born (1957-01-07) 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

Ira Kaplan (born January 7, 1957) is the co-founder, vocalist, guitarist and songwriter of the American indie rock band Yo La Tengo. He is married to Georgia Hubley, Yo La Tengo's vocalist, drummer, songwriter and co-founder.[1]

A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College, Kaplan formed Yo La Tengo in the early 1980s. Previously, he worked as a music critic for such publications as the Soho Weekly News, New York Rocker and Village Voice,[2] as well as serving as a soundman, roadie and backup musician for Mofungo and other New York-area bands.[3][4]

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 (Avery Books, 2012).[5]

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."[6]

Gear

Kaplan's gear is a point of interest for many fans and aspiring guitarists.[7]

Guitars

Amps

Pedals

  • Pro Co RAT (Two units are used)
  • Boss TU-2 Tuner
  • Boss OD-2 TURBO OverDrive
  • Boss GE-7 Graphic Equalizer
  • Boss CS-3 Compression Sustainer
  • Digitech PDS-8000 Delay
  • Line 6 DL4
  • Line 6 MM4
  • Mu-Tron III +
  • Vox Wah
  • Custom switching unit for routing & triggering between the two amplifiers.

References

  1. ↑ Allmusic.com Entry for Ira Kaplan
  2. ↑ Perfect Sound Forever: "From Gem Spa to the World"
  3. ↑ "An American Band: Yo La Tengo's Ira Kaplan Reminisces..." Baltimore City Paper, February 2, 2007 Archived April 6, 2012, at the Wayback Machine.
  4. ↑ Booth, Vachel (1988) "Yo, Dudes! - Home runs and headbutts with Yo La Tengo", Underground, February 1988 (Issue 11), p. 21
  5. ↑ Big Day Coming review at Pitchfork.com
  6. ↑ WFMU archives for Ira Kaplan
  7. ↑ Guitargeek.com Guitar Rig Database entry


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