Pitchfork

Radioland tends to favor booming voices, big personalities, and a lotta drive-time giveaways. But despite his involvement with one of the finest rock'n'roll bands in modern history, Yo La Tengo's Ira Kaplan rarely speaks above a whisper, seems far from ostentatious in his manners, and has nothing to give away but his song and a few well-honed witticisms.

Still, Ira's long been a fan and a favorite of New Jersey radio station par excellence WFMU. Over the next few days, both Ira and his band will grace the WFMU airwaves to help the station with its annual pledge drive, on and poppin' from now through March 4.

First, Ira will don the cans awful early tomorrow morning (February 28), stepping in-- as he's been doing a bit lately-- from 6-9 AM EST for a web-only broadcast. He will, as he says, "wake up at an ungodly hour to do whatever I can to help WFMU raise the money they need to stay on the air for another year."

Then on Sunday March 2 from 5-8 PM EST, Yo La Tengo-- accompanied by Bruce Bennett of the A-Bones-- will once again perform extemporaneous covers at the behest of WFMU listeners. Folks call in and, in exchange for a pledge, get Ira, Georgia, James (and Bruce) to play whatever song their heart desires.

I hope you folks know "Crank That (Soulja Boy)", cuz I am so getting paid this weekend!

All this should prove a fine warm-up for Yo La Tengo's March 13 appearance at South by Southwest, which will be broadcast live on several NPR stations and webcast on NPR.org. Hey, this band really does love radio!

In other Yo La Tengo-related SXSW news, The Toe Tactic, the newest addition to their film-scoring resume, will premiere at the SXSW Film Festival. Directed by Yo La Tengo drummer Georgia Hubley's sister Emily, the film is a live action/animation hybrid starring David Cross, Mary Kay Place, Lily Rabe, and Kevin Corrigan.

They'll be back with more-- plus sports and weather-- after the jump.

Yo La Tengo:

03-10 Houston, TX - Verizon Wireless Theatre
03-13 Austin, TX - Austin Music Hall (SXSW) *
03-15 Dallas, TX - Dallas Museum of Art

* with My Morning Jacket