Behind the Music…
Mind the Gap hitting the books. Studies come first!
This is a story of how a boy became a man… And how a man became a singing group… And how that man left that group and created another group… And how that second group is University of Oregon’s Mind the Gap.
Throughout the later 20th century, A Cappella was a phenomenon sweeping the east coast and turning heads in both musical ability and showmanship. By the time the singing sensation arrived at the west coast, not until about 1990, the east coast was dominating the popular and mainstream audience. In an effort to differentiate itself, the west coast brand of A Cappella adopted a much more open and communal offering between schools, opposing the very individualized and clockwork type groups of the colleges of old. Many of the music directors up and down the Pacific Ocean know each other and support each other in their respective endeavors. Competition, while existing, is not the end-all-be-all goal: the goal was simply creating music in an environment that would accept it. It was in the wake of this openness and communal ideal that Mind the Gap was formed.
When the A Cappella sensation hit the west coast, that boy, a boy named Russell Kamp, was growing up in Eugene, Oregon. As the collegiate A Cappella scene grew in California, and when it was finally introduced to the state of Oregon by UO’s very own On the Rocks in 1999, Russell became more and more enamored with the idea of being in a group of his very own. Rarely missing a concert or CD release (because no child has more to do with their lives… like playing kickball or compulsive gambling), Russell counted down the days until he left for college to try out for a group of his own. He began arranging music and recreationally singing and listening to more A Cappella music to prepare himself. To this date, Russell has more A Cappella on his itunes than any other human being on earth.
When 2005 finally rolled around, Russell found himself leaving home and finally heading down to college at Southern Oregon University. As circumstance would have it, he would soon discover that SOU was virgin to the concept of A Cappella, a travesty of human existence in the purest kind. Being the entrepreneur he is, Russell decided to correct this problem by starting his own group with several friends and singers from High School. This group is SOU’s Dulcet, a co-ed group designed to stretch the limitations of the male and female voice in connection with each other. Dulcet still exists and pursues this today.
After two years of building and successes at Southern Oregon, Russell found himself confronted by circumstance again. He faced a necessary transfer to the bigger University of Oregon in his home town of Eugene. The reigns of Dulcet were handed down to capable hands, and Russell, inspired by the excitement of founding Dulcet and the anticipation of heading to a larger school with more musical interest, set plans in motion to begin his next group: the group that is known today as Mind the Gap. Thanks to friend and Assistant Director Timmy Bigley, and all the support of the community, school and founding MtG members, this second vision became a reality. But, you ask, why the name “Mind the Gap?”
I’ll tell you, in the form of a lie. Because the actual anecdote of why the group is called “Mind the Gap” is incredibly boring. So boring that in involves golf.*
When Russell was a child, he had a giant gap between his teeth. His friends used to make fun of him constantly, a belittlement that transformed into a dangerous mental complex. Russell became too embarrassed to even open him mouth at all, plaguing him from pursuing his real passion: singing. And eating. Though he remained ashamed and often cried as he sang as the judgment of others rained down upon him, Russell fought through the pain.
In the summer of 2007, just before he transferred to UO, Russell was facing his demons, a feat that sent him to the edge. Searching for answers he drove aimlessly for hours, awaiting some sort of sign, some sort of reason, some sort of answer. When he reached the point of no return, where he could go no further, because his car ran out of gas, he stopped… only to discover that he had parked in the middle of train tracks.
The accident left him in a state of temporary mental regression, most of which still hasn’t gone away. But, as that oncoming train slammed into Russell’s parked car, a miracle happened: the collision was so intense that in closed the gap in between Russell’s teeth. And though the accident may have left something to be desired in the… “everything else” category for Russell, he was reborn to the world of music and singing confidence. Mind the Gap is a name that is a tribute to his story of overcoming trials and tribulations and setting himself apart from anyone else.
And while that story was a complete farce, something rings true from within it. No, it’s not Russell’s ears after he woke up from the coma, it’s that sense that we should all “mind the gap” sometimes in our lives, and that we should all not be afraid to overcome adversity, by whatever means.** And that’s what Mind the Gap is really about: Overcoming the gap between men and women (settling adversity with diversity!), setting ourselves apart from other the other A Cappella mainstream brand, and finding commune and confidence in each other and our music.
Come check us out, send support, and even audition if being a “gapper” sounds like something you’d like to be a part of. Without you guys, we’d be a train wreck.
Evan P. Thomas
Mind the Gap Alumni
Fall 2007 – Winter 2009
*Abridged version: Russell and some guys went golfing one day and the course has a gap in it. Russell told his friends to “mind the gap” and an epiphany followed. The cute parable about overcoming adversity and finding commune is still true, though.
**Disclaimer: Mind the Gap does not condone or take responsibility for any persons deciding to park their car on train tracks to overcome adversity.