Songs: Ohia - Lioness - RIP - 2013

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.” home

Damien Jurado through twitter:

"I will be gone, but not forever" - Farewell Transmission Jason Molina - tour mate, inspiration and friend - you will be greatly missed."

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Aidan Moffat (Arab Strap) through a series of tweets:

I didn't know what to say earlier, I was letting it sink in, but Jason Molina's death this weekend is heartbreaking ...

... I shared a lot of stages with him – and Travelodges and motels too – from the very first Arab Strap US tour in 1998 onwards ...

... I even helped him make an album once. He was as brilliant a guy as he was a songwriter

Jason Molina, the leader of alternative bands Songs: Ohia and Magnolia Electric Co., died Saturday night in Indianapolis from organ failure resulting from alcohol consumption. He was 39.

A perennial road dog and prolific songwriter, Molina had battled what his label called "severe alcoholism" for nearly a decade, a struggle that came to light in 2011 with a note posted on Magnolia Electric Company's website soliciting donations to help the uninsured musician pay his growing medical bills. At the time, Molina had finished two years in and out of rehab facitilies, and was working on a farm in West Virginia, as well as writing new material. Rs