Tribute to Jason Molina

After the truly saddening loss of a great American songwriter in Jason Molina, former members of his projects Songs: Ohia and Magnolia Electric Company in conjunction with Hiss Golden Messenger (who's new album is a 2014 standout) - will play a series of tribute shows to the late songwriter. Molina's best work, the outstanding The Magnolia Electric Co. album got the 10 year anniversary treatment to outstanding reviews.

"Songs: Molina - A Memorial Electric Co" will find its way to Durham, NC, Asheville, NC, Indianapolis, IN, and finally to Chicago, IL. Jason Molina's voice stands out as one of the most unique, urgent, and beautiful of songwriters from the last twenty years, and while it cannot be replaced, "Songs: Molina - A Memorial Electric Co" will attempt to pay tribute to it and help coax it out of the amazing songs that Jason left with us.

Jason Molina Returns with Autumn Bird Songs

We haven't had music from Jason Molina (of Magnolia Electric Company) since 2009, and for a time, we didn't know if we were going to have new music from him ever again. After a donation campaign to get the singer back on his feet during his struggles with substance abuse, Molina announced in May he would be returning to music. Today, he releases the timely and VERY welcome new mini-album Autumn Bird Songs. Welcome back. Read what I wrote in 2008. Additionally, via Pitchfork:

The songs were written to accompany a book of artwork by William Schaff, titled From Black Sheep Boys to Bill Collectors: The Music-Related Artwork of William Schaff. The book includes writings from the Mountain Goats' John Darnielle and Okkervil River's Will Sheff, as well as album artwork done by Schaff for Songs: Ohia, Okkervil River, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, and more... In related news, in London, the musician Laurie McNamee recently organized a benefit concert for Molina, accompanied by a benefit covers compilation featuring Alasdair Roberts, Jack Hayter of Hefner, and more, that is still for sale at Bandcamp.

Magnolia Electric Co. Announce US Tour Dates, mp3

Magnolia Electric Co. "Texas 71" - mp3
Good news from the UK, where Magnolia frontman now resides -- chief songwriter Jason Molina will head back to the US in October for a string of dates. Last year, Molina issued the amazing Sojourner box set and it looks like there will be a new Magnolia record coming sometime in mid 2009. Last spring we went on at length about our love for Molina's rural-American rock, so it's no shocker that we're pretty excited here. Above is one of our favorite tracks from the Sojourner set. Unfortunately these dates are relegated to the South and Midwest, but hopefully this is only the first leg (although it sounds like Molina will focus exclusively on recording with producer Steve Albini after this run.)

TOUR DATES:
10/21/08 Bloomington, IN - Buskirk Chumley
10/22/08 Louisville, KY - Headliners
10/23/08 Asheville, NC - Grey Eagle
10/24/08 Athens, GA - 40 Watt Club
10/25/08 Birmingham, AL - The Bottle Tree
10/26/08 Memphis, TN - Hi Tone
10/27/08 Denton, TX - Rubber Gloves
10/28/08 Houston, TX - Walter's on Washington
10/30/08 Austin, TX - Mohawk
10/31/08 Norman, OK - The Opolis
11/01/08 Lawrence, KS - Jackpot
11/02/08 St. Louis, MO - The Bluebird
11/03/08 Chicago, IL - Abbey Pub