Jason Molina Dies At 39

Musician Jason Molina has died at the age of 39, confirmed in a lengthy statement about his passing on the label Secretly Canadian’s website.

According to the site, Jason Molina died Saturday of natural causes at his home in Indiana. The statement begins saying the label is “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.”

The statement goes on to describe Molina as a “world class musician, songwriter & recording artist,” as well as “a beloved friend.” Explaining how Molina first garnered attention back in 2006 under the name “Songs: Ohia,”the site goes on to say that he formed Magnolia Electric Co. in the early 2000s.

In his career, Molina released “over a dozen critically-acclaimed albums” and, the site explains, began touring the world in 1997. After 12 years, the statement goes on to sat, “he had to stop in 2009 to deal with severe alcoholism.”

From the label, a statement reads: “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.”

Bandmates continue:

“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.”

They add:

“For some reason he said yes.”

Molina’s early days with Secretly Canadian were recalled:

“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.”

After describing Molina’s work with Secretly Canadian, the statement concludes:

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

You can read the statement from Secretly Canadian on Jason Molina’s death over on their website.