Hello again,
I clearly haven’t posted in a while, but in true Sage fashion I have a new hyper fixation. This month it has been Songs:Ohia, an artist I found in 2022, but have recently been nonstop listening to. I figured writing passionately about another artist I love would be the perfect come back. I’m gonna write about the aforementioned Songs:Ohia- an alternative-folk-rock-country project created by Jason Molina.
I’ll start by doing a little bio on Jason Molina (1973-2013), from Oberlin, Ohio. He started making music and performing under “Songs:Ohia” and “Jason Molina” in 1996. He, in my opinion, is one of the most amazing, visceral, songwriters ever. He unfortunately died in 2013 due to complications with alcoholism. Even after his passing, his music- and spirit- touched so many, that there are literally support groups for his fans. There is multiple tribute bands that still do shows to this day, “Strand of Oaks”, “Songs:Molina”, and “Farewell Transmission: The Music of Jason Molina”. Lots of current bands and radio stations often honor Jason as well. You can read more about him if you please on this website.
Molina also created music under “Magnolia Electric Co.” starting in 2003. He released most of his large discography under the Indiana based label Secretly Canadian (Current Joys and Faye Webster are also signed to them). There’s also an entire book written on the story of his life and some behind the scenes of his songwriting and touring, written by Erin Osmon. Overall, there’s just a huge web of projects surrounding and inspired by the work of Jason Molina, allowing his legacy to live on, now 10 years since his passing.
I suppose I’ll dive into his released music a little bit, starting with his Debut album under Songs:Ohia, “Songs:Ohia.” Though a rather short album clocking in at a 35 minute listen, through the 13 songs on the album, Jason really captures the dread and struggle that accompanies life in the Midwest. Here’s a clip from my favorite off the album, “Crab Orchard:”
In all honesty, I’m not the most knowledgeable on Jason Molina, my motivation for writing this being the hopes that someone will read this and find the same joy I do when listening to his music.
What most argue is the Zeitgeist of Songs:Ohia, “Magnolia Electric Co.” (2003) is an album of 19 alt-country songs that were ultimately the last released ever under Songs:Ohia. Recorded by Steve Albini in Chicago, it is very traditional Americana forward, and has more rock-like songs than his other albums do. “Farewell Transmission” Song:Ohia’s top played song, is one of my favorites of all time. The song paints a picture of a hard working life filled with battling addiction and depression. Most of his songs have these themes, but something about this song in particular touches your heart in a specific way. Lyrics like “The real truth about it is, we’re all supposed to try” and “We will be gone, but not forever” lets all listeners know that although this life is hard, it’s always worth it to try.
He revisits the effort of trying in other songs as well, with lyrics such as “You are not helpless, I’ll help you try to beat it”, which in all honesty has me choked up even writing down. It’s special how Molina’s character and feelings are kept preserved, frozen in time through his music. He also tinkers with the concept of life and death on many songs on this album, an example being “I’ve Been Riding With the Ghost.”
The final release ever for Jason is his album “Eight Gates”, which received a posthumous release in 2020 under “Jason Molina”, and is comprised of 9 songs that he solo recorded, which are the last made before his death.
My favorite album “Didn’t it Rain” (2002), contains 15 songs, half fully produced and half demos (which I really enjoy). The title of the album is named after a 40’s song by Sister Rosetta- which is a fun fact that speaks to Jason’s inspirations. What I love about this album in particular is how relatable it can be. I never thought as a 19 year old girl living a very fortunate life, that I would ever relate with a 30 year old man struggling with alcoholism, but Molina’s songwriting really puts struggle into perspective. It’s helped me realize that everyone deals with the same pain in one way or another. This album highlights that we can all band together to overcome the affliction that we all must go through.
I can’t stop listening to the song “Blue Factory Flame”, whose lyrics I really identify with.
“Never said to to come home, where I am paralyzed by the emptiness”,
really breaks my heart for Jason, knowing the suffering he was traversing at the time, but also opens my eyes to the fact that “home” isn’t a comforting place for everyone.
I want to add that in no way am I comparing any struggle I’ve faced to Jason’s- or anyone’s for that matter- but it is so noteworthy that he is able to communicate how he feels so utterly, so that anyone who hears his songs can find an aspect that they relate to. It gives hope, and it is so vital that everyone finds an artist that lets them know they’re not alone, Thank you Jason.
The female-male vocals on parts of “Blue Factory Flame” and Molina’s expression of and connection to his home, make this a standout track in Songs:Ohia’s discography.
In contrast to some of Molina’s more morbid work, his song “Lioness” off his 2000 album “The Lioness”, is a charming (while still yearnful) song about admiration and lust. He sings: “Want my last look to be the moon in your eyes, want my heart to break if it must break in your jaws, want you to lick my blood off your paws”. I like how this song shows us a vulnerable side of Jason in relation to love, while his other songs are more personally driven. The ideas of devotion and dedication run strong on this track and it’s one I just can’t get enough of. Here’s a clip:
Something about Molina’s raw vocals and the enunciation of his words is very addicting to me. The vulnerability in Jason’s writing is something rare and special and for the music world to have lost him is a huge tragedy. He’s an artist you can really sink your teeth into, with a rich portfolio of works to listen through, and years and years of videos and projects to watch and learn about.
Thank you for listening to me ramble on once again, and I really hope I did the genius of Jason Molina justice with this little blogpost (I’m still a huge amateur when it comes to knowledge on him). Give Songs:Ohia a listen if you haven’t already, and always know that you are not helpless.
For Jason and every one of his fans,
-Sage
If you or someone you know is struggling with alcoholism, there is help out there. www.aa.org
Checking out this song asap. Beautiful writing 💋💋💋