All One Song :: Ira Kaplan (Yo La Tengo) on "Big Crime"

All One Song :: Ira Kaplan (Yo La Tengo) on "Big Crime"

From Transmissions by Aquarium Drunkard

April 1, 2026 · 53 min

About this episode

Ira Kaplan of Yo La Tengo discusses Neil Young's new song 'Big Crime' and its political implications.

Hello again! Welcome back to All One Song, a Neil Young podcast presented by Aquarium Drunkard Transmissions. Last summer, we spent a couple months talking to some of our favorite musicians, writers, and artists about their favorite Neil Young songs … and it was so much fun that we’re doing it all over again with a bunch more great guests. Put on your Rust-o-Vision glasses, Neil freaks … we’re going deep into the Shakey-verse one more time. Our guest today selected what is the newest Neil Young song—as of this recording—that has made it out into the world: “Big Crime.” This angry, brutal and unsparing attack on ICE, Trump and the MAGAsphere was debuted last summer on the US leg of Neil’s tour with the Chrome Hearts. And he’s played it at every one of his shows since. “Big Crime” pulls no punches. Last year, the long-running trio Yo La Tengo kicked off their epic eight-night Hanukkah run at the Bowery Ballroom in New York City with a blistering version of “Big Crime,” likely becoming the first band to cover it. So of course, we’re honored to have Yo La Tengo guitarist and vocalist Ira Kaplan on All One Song today to talk about this new Neil song. Yo La Tengo — do they need an…

People in this episode

Host: Aquarium Drunkard

Guest: Ira Kaplan

Topics covered

  • Neil Young
  • music
  • interview
  • Yo La Tengo
  • political commentary
  • song analysis

Keywords

  • Ira Kaplan
  • Yo La Tengo
  • Big Crime
  • Neil Young
  • music interview
  • political music
  • Hanukkah run

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Yo La Tengo

Books & works: Big Crime

Places: New York City

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