Magnolia Electric Co. kicks off fall ’08 tour

The best way to tell the story of Magnolia Electric Co. would be to formulate a musical family tree.

The band, whose past, present and future is rooted in Bloomington, will kick off its fall tour tonight at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater.

Magnolia’s front man Jason Molina became the first artist signed to local label Secretly Canadian, which was formed in 1996.

“I can’t wait to finally experience the music in full, and I’m hoping to understand it better after watching Molina perform it,” sophomore Tara Johnson said.

Under the artist name Songs: Ohia, Molina released an album called “Magnolia Electric Co.” in 2003.

Shortly after, Molina recruited other musicians, and the band lineup was solidified.
As a band, Magnolia Electric Co.’s first release was the 2005 album “Trials and Errors” on Secretly Canadian. Their 2007 box set, “Sojourner,” is currently sold out.

Besides Molina, who currently lives in London, all members of Magnolia reside in Bloomington and are involved in numerous local music projects.

Magnolia bassist Pete Schreiner, drummer Mark Rice and guitarist Jason Groth are the three members of the band Coke Dares.

Schreiner is also in a solo project called Thousand Arrows. Rice is a member of The Impossible Shapes, which Groth also contributes to.

Groth and trumpet/keyboard player Mikey Kapinus are in a duo called Indiana Beach, and the two are also in the band Whippoorwill.

Since moving to London, Molina has played several solo shows, which means fewer Magnolia performances. According to Secretly Canadian, the band played about 91 shows in 2007.

Schreiner said Bloomington shows are relatively rare, although all members stay involved with their own projects.

“Everybody’s still playing music all the time,” he said.

Following the fall tour, Magnolia will hit the studio with Steve Albini to record a new album, which is set to be released in 2009 on Secretly Canadian.


Magnolia Electric Co., The Hollows, King’s Daughters and Sons
When: 8 p.m. Today
Where: Buskirk-Chumley Theatre
More info: The cost is $8. Want to win a free copy of Magnolia Electric Co.’s album "Fading Trails"? Go to www.idsnews.com/blogs/livebuzz.