Quick Facts
Biography
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.
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, 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 (Avery Books, 2012).
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."
Gear
Kaplan's gear is a point of interest for many fans and aspiring guitarists.
Guitars
- Candy Apple Red Fender Jazzmaster, with tortoise shell pickguard.
- Sunburst Fender Jaguar
- Natural Fender Stratocaster
- Sunburst Jerry Donahue Signature Telecaster
- Purple Sparkle Danelectro 12-string
- Candy Apple Red Fender Coronado
Amps
- Fender Super Reverb
- Fender Vibro-Lux
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.