The annual WFMU fundraiser is underway for 2016. For this year's auction, one of the radio station's DJs, Jeff Conklin, has compiled a compilation of Grateful Dead covers.

“For my 2016 premium, I got in touch with some friends to record Grateful Dead covers exclusive to my project,” explains the DJ. “The list of participants includes: William Tyler, Wooden Wand, Matt Valentine, Meg Baird, Chris Forsyth, PG Six, Sarah Louise, Itasca, Jon Collin, Anthony Pasquarosa, Lake Mary, and Ignatz.

“I see a lot of parallels in the Dead's DIY approach to music and the industry and WFMU's long-running vision of independent, freeform broadcasting,” he continues. “I also deeply admire these artists and it was partly out of self-interest to ask them to cover a band that instigated my thirst for cosmic American music, experimental rock and improvisation. I premiered the contributions of Meg Baird, Itasca, Chris Forsyth and Anthony Pasquarosa on my show earlier this week.

“Jon Collin's contribution to the the comp is a gorgeous, spacey interpretation of Garcia's “Love Scene” improvisation for Zabriskie Point with shades of [The Grateful Dead's] “St Stephen”.”

The compilation is called Songs To Fill The Air (referencing a line in “Ripple” from The Grateful Dead's 1970 album American Beauty). You can get hold of the entire compilation by donating $75 via WFMU's fundraising page.

Songs To Fill The Air Tracklist:

Lake Mary “Bird Song”
Itasca “High Time”
Chris Forsyth And The SMB “Cold Rain And Snow”
William Tyler “Attics Of My Life”
Wooden Wand “Beat It On Down The Line”
PG Six “Mountains Of The Moon”
Sarah Louise “Ripple”
Meg Baird “To Lay Me Down”
Anthony Pasquarosa “Lady With A Fan”
Jon Collin “Love Scene/St Stephen”
Matt Valentine “Black Peter”
Ignatz “Jack Straw”