Songs: Ohia - Hecla & Griper LP (15th Anniversary Edition)
Released: 4/30/13
Secretly Canadian Records, SC08
Available on LP

Tracklist:
Pass
All Pass
Defenders
Declarer
East Last Heart
Reply & Claim
Advice to Aces
Darling…
Debts
Pilot & Friend
Hearts Newly Arrived
One of Those Uncertain Hands

This vinyl reissue contains two previously unreleased Songs: Ohia tracks (“Debts” and “Pilot & Friend”) and alternative versions of two songs that would later appear on Songs: Ohia’s Impala (“Hearts Newly Arrived” and “One of Those Uncertain Hands”).

for a short time we’ll be streaming nearly everything jason released on cd or vinyl over the past twenty years on our bandcamp site.

please join us in the forum, where folks have been reminiscing and collecting thoughts from musicians around the web. if you’ve never registered before, there are instructions in this post.

We are deeply saddened to announce that Jason Andrew Molina passed away in his home in Indianapolis this past Saturday, March 16th of natural causes at age 39. Jason was a world class musician, songwriter & recording artist. He was also a beloved friend. He first caught international attention in 1996 when he began releasing albums under the name Songs: Ohia. In 2003 he started the band Magnolia Electric Co. Between those two bands he released over a dozen critically-acclaimed albums and — starting in 1997 — he toured the world every year until he had to stop in 2009 to deal with severe alcoholism. Jason was incredibly humbled by his fans’ support through the years and said that the two most important words he could ever say are “Thank you.”

This is especially hard for us to share. Jason is the cornerstone of Secretly Canadian. Without him there would be no us — plain and simple. His singular, stirring body of work is the foundation upon which all else has been constructed. After hearing and falling in love with the mysterious voice on his debut single “Soul” in early 1996, we approached him about releasing a single on our newly formed label. For some reason he said yes. We drove from Indiana to New York to meet him in person and he handed us what would become the first of many JMo master tapes. And with the Songs: Ohia One Pronunciation of Glory 7” we were given a voice as a label. The subsequent self-titled debut was often referred to by fans as The Black Album. Each Songs: Ohia album to follow proved a new, haunting thesis statement from a prodigal songwriter whose voice and soul burned far beyond that of the average twenty-something. There was organ-laced, sepia-toned econimica (1998’s Impala) and charred-hearted, free form balladry (1999’s Axxess and Ace). There were the dark glacial make-out epics of 2000’s The Lioness and the jungle incantations of 2000’s Ghost Tropic. There was the career-defining agnostic’s gospel of 2002’s Didn’t It Rain, an album about setting roots that also seemed to offer solace to a world that had recently seen its bar on terror raised. It was followed in 2003 by a thrilling about-face, the instant classic Magnolia Electric Co., which took Jason’s songwriting to ’70s classic rock heights. The move was such a powerful moment for Molina that Magnolia Electric Co. became the new moniker under which would perform until 2009. With Magnolia Electric Co., Jason found a brotherhood in his bandmates, with whom he built an incredible live experience and made a truly classic album in Josephine (2009).

We’re going to miss Jason. He was generous. He was a one of a kind. And he had a voice unlike any other.

Fans can contribute to Jason’s medical fund as a memorial gift by sending money via PayPal.

Hold on, Magnolia, to that great highway moon
No one has to be that strong
But if you’re stubborn like me
I know what you’re trying to be

Hold on, Magnolia, I hear that station bell ring
You might be holding the last light I see
Before the dark finally gets a hold of me

Hold on, Magnolia, I know what a true friend you’ve been
In my life I have had my doubts
But tonight I think I’ve worked it out with all of them

Hold on, Magnolia, to the thunder and the rain
To the lightning that has just signed my name to the bottom line

Hold on, Magnolia, I hear that lonesome whistle whine
Hold on, Magnolia, I think its almost time

Jason Molina - Autumn Bird Songs 10”
Released: 9/25/12
Graveface Records, GRAVE050
10” included with book “From Black Sheep Boys To Bill Collectors- The music-related artwork of William Schaff”

Tracklist:
Heart My Heart
The Harvest Law
Enough Of A Stranger
No Hand Was At The Wheel
Owl & Raven
Shore To Shore
First Footing
A Sad Hard Change

Dear friends and family.
It has been a long hospital year. You all have done so much and given so much to further my cause on this planet that I feel compelled to give you a little note. The response towards my medical fund and other support has been better than I could have ever imagined. I spent my time on the farm which was more like the opposite of a tour of duty, but it was good in its way. I have been moved around quite a bit too, Chicago, England, Indiana, West Virginia and back and forth to each. For the time being I am doing well, still in recovery and still in treatment until probably the summer does its thing. I’ve been writing a lot of music and eagerly anticipate the new 10” with Will Schaff’s book, word is that end of May we might finally get them. It is slow going, but it is going. I did write about 500 letters to many of you who sent me good wishes and more, oddly the facility I was in decided to keep them all instead of sending them. I’ll start re-collecting post box information when I am in a place for any length of time. Treatment is good, getting to deal with a lot of things that even the music didn’t want to. I have not given up because you, my friends have not given up on me. I do still need your support however that takes shape, good vibes are worth more than you might think. Finally, there are actually some musical projects on the distant radar screen, but for those who understand, I am taking this in much smaller steps than I’m used to. Keep the lamps trimmed and burning!

JM
5 May 2012
Indianapolis

i’ve moved the site (and all of the content) to tumblr after someone hacked the wordpress installation on which the site was previously run. in addition to making us all continue to seem internet savvy, it should reduce the possibility of future attacks. the forum will stay where it is for now and at some point i’ll update the header image. i’ll be uploading a bunch of the shows from archive.org to the new, more user-friendly meco bandcamp site, which is still very much a work in progress.

graveface records just launched a kickstarter campaign for the long-awaited will schaff art book and jason molina 10″. supporting through kickstarter (at the $60 level) earns you a hand-numbered copy as well as limited colored vinyl. there are of course several other options and benefits for backing the project. graveface will be donating 10% of whatever is raised to the jason molina medical fund. the songs on the 10″ were recorded several years ago while jason was still living in london.

the trials and errors 2xlp and sojourner cd box set are available again from secretly canadian. they’ve even set up a special mailorder site with vinyl and cd bundles to help you or your favorite holiday gift recipient get caught up with all things meco.

Many of you have inquired as to Jason’s whereabouts and well-being since he canceled his tours with Will Johnson in 2009. Over the last two years Jason has been in and out of rehab facilities and hospitals in England, Chicago, Indianapolis, and New Orleans. It has been a very trying time for Jason, his friends, and his family. Although no one can be sure what the future holds, we feel very encouraged by the recent steps Jason has taken on the road towards becoming healthy and productive once again. Unfortunately, because he has no medical insurance, he has accrued substantial medical bills. We are asking all friends of Jason’s music to come together with a showing of financial support for him. Please consider a contribution to his medical fund. Feel free to forward this to any and all appropriate parties. We are hoping to raise whatever funds we possibly can for Jason. He is currently working on a farm in West Virginia raising goats and chickens for the next year or so, and is looking forward to making great music again. Please also show your support and well wishes by sending letters and postcards to:

Jason Molina
c/o Ashley Lawson
4632 Quincy Adams
Ct. Lorain, OH 44053

If you do not wish to use paypal, please make donations out to Ashley Lawson at the same address.

With our sincere thanks, The Molina Family

May 2013 update: although Jason is no longer with us, the above fund is still active to help his family with the medical bills. Thanks to those of you who have donated already!

‘nashville moon’ and ‘the black ram’ have been available through itunes/emusic/etc since sojourner’s physical release but until last week ’shohola’ and the ’sun sessions’ ep were digital outcasts. with the march 2nd release of ’sojourner discs 3 and 4′, the full sojourner box set is now available for digital purchase through your favorite online outlet.