NPR’s All Songs Considered premieres “JM” from Strand of Oaks

At the end of their set at Non-COMM a couple of weeks ago, Strand of Oaks played a powerful song called “JM” of off the forthcoming HEAL LP.  Frontman Timothy Showalter told the crowd “this song is for Jason Molina,” a prolific musician whose recordings as Songs:Ohia and Magnolia Electric Company helped Showalter withstand several difficult years.  Following Molina’s sudden death last year, Showalter wrote a blog post detailing Molina’s immense impact on his life, calling the Ohio native a hero and constant inspiration.

NPR Music’s All Songs Considered premiered “JM” on its podcast yesterday, saying “the song… rumbles and roars, propelled by Showalter’s scorched guitar and voice” and comparing the slow-building track to Neil Young’s “Cortez the Killer.”  Take a listen here, and revisit Strand of Oaks’ Non-COMM performance here (via the WXPN media player).  

XPN welcomes the band to Boot & Saddle on September 19th with Christopher Denny; tickets and information can be found here.