Thoughts On Jason Molina's passing

A few years ago,while i was just getting started, i had only written 4 or 5 folky songs in my hometown, i booked a show for Magnolia Electric Co at a friend's bar, the Oasis Rock Café,Valence ,France.
It was a great sunday show, and Jason and his band happened to have a day off on the next day, and asked me to arrange the day off for them in Valence; also, Jason wanted to buy an acoustic guitar for touring but realised all the music shops were closed on a Monday in France.
So i sold him my Dad's guitar and they were all pretty happy about that.
They invited me to dinner, asked me if i could play them a few songs after,and said Jason would like to play a few songs too. Some improvised hootenanny stuff. My friend would turn the bar into a private club,kicking out the last monday nights customers.
Jason's words on that night,about the songs i played for him,the lyrics etc,were to me the cornerstone of what i wanted to do with my musical life.
These were the words from someone whom i truly admired the work,and these were humble,humble words from a great guy.
We sat and played till the early hours of the morning. After that we stayed in touch, and got to play a few shows together a few years later.
Last time i saw him was at Mains d'oeuvres Paris,for a show we've played together. I would have loved to invite him on stage to sing a song with me, but for some reasons,i didn't feel like asking.
At the end of the set he came and said "man i've waited the whole set that you ask me to sing one with you".
I deeply regret this now
Last words i received from him were an email saying
"Keep writing music as much as you can. Your friend & Etranger. JM"

 

Video samples from the 2006 acoustic closed bar sessions will be posted here as soon as possible
In the meantime,this song was written about Jason,him being one of the two characters i fantasized and talk about in the song,in the very studio where half of his records were made

Not Only Fading Out (From Off The Map) lyrics here

Our Cover of "The Lioness" Here

Steve Albini's Blues Here