Run For Cover Records has announced “I Will Swim to You: A Tribute to Jason Molina”, due out September 5th. The release celebrates one of the most enduring and impactful songwriters of the past thirty years, with twelve loving covers performed by some of the brightest stars in modern indie and americana.
Jason Molina’s expansive catalogue—from Songs: Ohia, to The Magnolia Electric Co., to the work under his own name—has become an important touchstone for many of the current generation of performers. His distinct voice, stunning lyricism, and knack for longing melodies can be heard not only in the current resurgence of alt country and americana but also in the worlds of indie rock, lo-fi, slowcore, and beyond. The album seems to reflect Molina’s deep and continuing influence with artists like M J Lenderman (which you can listen to below), Sun June, Horse Jumper of Love, Sadurn, Hand Habits, Friendship, and many more providing renditions of songs from across his discography. As part of the tribute, 10% of the profits from each record will be donated to MusiCares®, a nonprofit that helped Molina when he was struggling with addiction.
The album arrives with a painted cover by artist William Schaff, who created the owl cover art of Molina’s Magnolia Electric Co. album. In addition to the physical and digital release, Run For Cover will also be releasing a physical-only split 7″, featuring a never-before-released demo recording of ‘The Last 3 Human Words‘ by Molina on the A-side and Lenderman’s cover of ‘Just Be Simple’ on the B-side.
The project began when Run For Cover founder Jeff Casazza had lunch with two co-founders of Molina’s longtime record label, Secretly Canadian, brothers Chris and Ben Swanson. After Casazza shared with them Molina’s influence on his own life and career, the trio enthusiastically envisioned an album in which artists from the RFC extended universe perform Molina’s songs. “We had the blessing of people who were very close to Jason,” Casazza explains, “and I knew we could do something really cool with an important body of work.”
“I Will Swim to You: A Tribute to Jason Molina” is due out September 5th via Run For Cover Records.
“I Will Swim to You: A Tribute to Jason Molina” Track list:
1. Just Be Simple (MJ Lenderman)
2. Blue Factory Flame (Horse Jumper of Love)
3. The Dark Don’t Hide It (Trace Mountains)
4. Leave The City (Sun June)
5. When Your Love Has Gone (Runner)
6. The Old Black Hen (Sadurn)
7. Everything Should Try Again (Advance Base)
8. Lioness (Hand Habits)
9. Whip Poor Will (Teen Suicide)
10. Hard To Love A Man (Friendship)
11. Shadow Answers The Wall (Lutalo)
12. Farewell Transmission (Another Michael)
