Scanning the dial...Gap the Mind

Probably one of the greatest compliments to a radio station or DJ is when you find yourself listening to (and even enjoying) a show that features a style of music that you would otherwise never listen to. Lately, I find myself doing this all of the time when tuned to "The Pride of the South Side," WHPK-FM (88.5).

For example, I can't say that I'm a big fan of bluegrass and folk music, but I find myself listening to "Come All Ye Coal Miners" (a program featuring old time, traditional, and hillbilly music) and "Honky Talk Hardwood Floor" (country, bluegrass, and folk music) almost every week.

However, one of my favorite discoveries on WHPK recently has been a new show called Gap the Mind. According to host Jeff Rufo, Gap the Mind is a "weekly trip from Classic to Acid Folk, instrumental freakout and all points in between." To be honest, I didn't even know there was a genre called "acid folk," but no matter what you want to call this music, I absolutely love it.

While the "acid folk" moniker is a new one to me, not all of the artists played are. Jeff throws in a nice blend of classic folk from the likes of Nick Drake, Bob Dylan and Donovan; psychedelic and experimental folk-tinged music from artists like Syd Barrett, John Cale and Nico; and stark modern folk from Bonnie Prince Billy, 6 Organs of Admittance, Devendra Banhart, etc.

A bit folky, a bit psychedelic, a bit mellow...but always very cool. Check out Gap the Mind every Wednesday from 4p-5p on 88.5 FM on the South Side. Below is a sample playlist from a recent airing:

Band / Song / Album (Label)

-Incredible String Band/ Chinese White/
The 5000 Spirits or the Layers of the Onion (Island)
[from Jeff: "this is kinda like the theme song for the show"]
-Simon Joyner/ Obituary/Heaven's Gate (Brinkman)
-6 Organs of Admittance/ Manifestation side A (Strange Attractors)
-Billy Nichols / Feeling Easy / ? (?)
-John Cale/ Amsterdam / Vintage Violence (Sony)
-Nico / I'll Keep it with Mine / Chealsea Girl (Polydor)
-Nick Drake / Fly (unreleased version) / Second Grace (Nick)
-Faust / Lieft.../ IV (Caroline)
-John Fahey / Dance of Death / Dance Of Death & Other PlantationFavorites (Takoma)
-Bee Gees / Odessa / Odessa (Polydor)
-Trad Gras och Stenar / ? / Trees, Grass And Stones (Silence)
-Ghost (w/Damon and Naomi) / Tanka / ST (SubPop)