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Jan 25, 2018 By Christopher Roberts Songs: Ohia

Kevin Morby and Waxahatchee (aka Katie Crutchfield) have teamed up to cover two songs by Jason Molina, who died in 2013. The digital 7-inch is being released via Dead Oceans, with proceeds going to MusiCares, which “was established by the Recording Academy to safeguard the health and well-being of all music people.” The duo covers two songs by Molina’s band Songs: Ohia, “Farewell Transmission” (from 2003’s The Magnolia Electric Co.) and “The Dark Don’t Hide It” (from 2005’s What Comes After the Blues). Listen to both covers below.

Morby issued the following statement about the covers: “My love for Jason Molina began only a few years ago. I had overlooked him for years, too overwhelmed by his many monikers and sprawling catalogue. Then on a European tour in 2016 our driver put on Magnolia Electric Company and my mind was blown - and so began my obsession with the man and his music. A few months after hearing him I was on tour with Waxahatchee where Katie and I bonded over our mutual love for Molina, and we got the idea to record two of our favorite Songs: Ohia songs - which is what you have here today; ‘Farewell Transmission’ b/w ‘The Dark Don’t Hide It.’

“These were recorded in Upstate New York with my live band at my drummer’s studio, The Chicken Shack, with both Katie and I splitting vocals duties. We would record all day, eating eggs from all the chickens running around, taking breaks to read old articles and watch live footage of Jason and his band. He’s a true inspiration and there’s no other songwriter or vocalist quite like him. We are deeply honored to be able to sing his songs, and we do hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed creating them. The cover art was done by William Schaff, who is responsible for the iconic Magnolia Electric Co. album art. All proceeds of the digital sales will go to MusiCares - an organization that provides support and community services to musicians in need of medical, personal & financial assistance - and also helped Jason in his struggle with addiction, as well as paid to have a polyp removed from my vocal chords in 2014. A truly wonderful cause.”

Morby released a new album, City Music, in 2017 via Dead Oceans (which followed 2016’s Singing Saw). Waxahatchee released a new album, Out in the Storm, in 2017 via Merge. Both City Music and Out of the Storm made our Top 100 Albums of 2017 list.

Read our 2017 The End interview with Waxahatchee about endings and death.

Read our 2017 interview with Kevin Morby on City Music.

Also read our 2017 Track-by-Track interview with Morby on City Music.

Read our 2016 interview with Morby about Singing Saw.

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