October 9, 2013 - "Song Arrangements" - Ira Kaplan and Ben Tausig

Difficulty ● ● ◐ ○ ○

Puzzle Notes

Dear subscribers: 

This week is the first in our intermittent celebrity puzzle series. "Song Arrangements" is a 4/5 difficulty collaboration between Ira Kaplan, of the band Yo La Tengo, and your editor.

I'm guessing YLT won't need an introduction for most of our subscribers, but for those unfamiliar, they're an awesome, eclectic, influential indie rock band from Hoboken, NJ who've been around since the mid-'80s. We're humbled that Ira not only agreed to take part in the series, but brought HUGE enthusiasm and wit to the proceedings - the clever theme concept is all him. Dude clearly has a passion for crosswords, and a serious mind as well.   

It's an understatement to say that I recommend YLT's music, but I'll go ahead and do so anyway. Here is their catalog and bio.

Next up in the series is comedian and actor Patton Oswalt. Enjoy the puzzle, and spread the word.

-Ben and the AVCX crew [avxwords.com]