Jason Molina’s prolific discography can be attributed to three words — work, work, work. The leader of the now-deceased Songs: Ohia and the mastermind of Indiana-based outfit Magnolia Electric Co., his ethic is the antithesis to traditional Rock & Roll decadence. Molina writes lyrics daily (eschewing a reliance on inspiration), frequently rotates old material for new songs in his set list, owns no cell phone and strives to rise at 7 a.m. (including when on tour). By situating himself in simplicity rather than excess, Molina has managed to carve a life out of music since the late ‘90s, even if he has been under the radar for most of it.
Now living in London, Molina’s recordings aptly reflect his earthy ambitions. The title track off full-length Josephine (due later this month on Secretly Canadian) is a fine example of the range of his abilities: the sparse, tepid AltCountry rattle features the northeastern Ohio-bred singer carefully dissecting the relationship between him and the eponymous subject.
The songwriter’s light burns brightest when he’s lost in the wilderness of his own wordplay, which, when at its peak, sounds like what Walt Whitman might pen if he refined his scribbles for a heartland Rock band
See him at the Southgate House. Get Sound Advice and show details here.
