Big Day Coming: Yo La Tengo and the Rise of Indie Rock

Yo La Tengo has lit up the indie scene for three decades, part of an underground revolution that defied corporate music conglomerates, eschewed radio-friendly hits, and found a third way. But unlike other indie groups, such as R.E.M. and Sonic Youth, Yo La Tengo actually managed to stay true to its roots, never switching to a major label. Going behind the scenes of one of the most remarkable eras in American music history, Big Day Coming traces the rise of husband-and-wife team Ira Kaplan and Georgia Hubley, who rocketed from the college radio circuit to the global stage, selling millions of records along the way and influencing countless bands.

Blending the band’s story with legends of the clubs, the music reporters, the fans, and the pivotal figures in indie rock history, musician and journalist Jesse Jarnow draws on all-access interviews and archives. A mesmerizing trip through a unique creative process, Big Day Coming is like a backstage pass to the singular sounds and sights of true legends.

Jesse Jarnow is a music journalist and the host of The Frow Show on WFMU, an independent radio station based in Jersey City. His work has appeared in The London Times, Rolling Stone, Spin, and other publications. He lives in Brooklyn, where he is in the band Sloppy Heads.