I 2009 var albummet Josephine med den amerikanske alt-country-gruppe Magnolia Electric Co. på min top 10 for dét år, og forleden hørte jeg det igen. Det er stadig et godt lille album, og jeg bliver igen grebet af sangeren Jason Molina; hans stemme har en særlig melankolsk klang, der leder tankerne hen på amerikanske Don MacLean og newzealandske Don MacGlashan.
Gad vide, om der mon snart kommer nyt fra Magnolia Electric Co.? tænkte jeg, og for første gang i årevis besøgte jeg gruppens hjemmeside. Her stod en trist besked.
Many of you have inquired as to Jason’s whereabouts and well-being since he canceled his tours with Will Johnson in 2009. Over the last two years Jason has been in and out of rehab facilities and hospitals in England, Chicago, Indianapolis, and New Orleans. It has been a very trying time for Jason, his friends, and his family. Although no one can be sure what the future holds, we feel very encouraged by the recent steps Jason has taken on the road towards becoming healthy and productive once again. Unfortunately, because he has no medical insurance, he has accrued substantial medical bills. We are asking all friends of Jason’s music to come together with a showing of financial support for him. Please consider a contribution to his medical fund. Feel free to forward this to any and all appropriate parties. We are hoping to raise whatever funds we possibly can for Jason. He is currently working on a farm in West Virginia raising goats and chickens for the next year or so, and is looking forward to making great music again. Please also show your support and well wishes by sending letters and postcards to:
Jason Molina
P.O. Box 423
Beaver, WV 25813If you do not wish to use paypal, please make donations out to Ashley Lawson at the same address.
With our sincere thanks, The Molina Family
Sygdom, misbrugsproblemer og manglen på et anstændigt sundhedsvæsen i USA – i sandhed en sørgelig skæbne. Jeg har prøvet at, se om jeg kunne sende penge, men havde problemer. Men jeg vil prøve igen, og vil også få sendt Jason Molina et julekort. Det er vel det mindste, jeg kan gøre for en mand, hvis musik jeg holder af.
Tjo, men det virker ikke som Pete Doherty gør noget som helst for at komme ud af sit misbrug. Hvis der var nogen, der burde bruge et år som landbrugsmedhjælper i al ubemærkethed på en fjern gård, var det da ham. Og Storbritannien har da stadig NHS, selv om David Cameron gør sit yderste.
Overvej også at sende en skilling til Pete Doherty, nu du alligevel er igang med at hjælpe de fortabte misbrugsartister.