Jason Molina, Folk Singer And Songwriter, Dies At 39

Jason Molina, frontman and songwriter for bands Songs: Ohia and Magnolia Electric Co., died on Saturday night in Indianapolis. He was 39.

Molina, who long struggled with alcoholism, reportedly died from organ failure that resulted from his alcohol consumption, according to Rolling Stone. His decade-long addiction was made public in 2011 when his family posted a note on the Magnolia Electric Co. website asking for donations for Molina’s medical fund. In the plea, the family explained that Molina, who had no medical insurance, had been in and out of rehab for the last two years.

Molina broke out onto the alternative music scene in 1996 with Songs: Ohia, and played with the group until 2003. His next band, Magnolia Electric Co., got its name from the final record with Songs: Ohia, produced by Steve Albini. Between 2005 and 2009, Magnolia Electric Co. released three studio LPs. Molina’s final album was a solo effort entitled Autumn Bird Songs, which was released in 2012 on Graveface.

"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," the label behind Magnolia Electric Co. wrote on the band’s website. "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’re going to miss Jason. He was generous. He was a one of a kind. And he had a voice unlike any other."

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