0
So you’ve released seven albums over ten years to critical, if not commercial, success. Paste magazine has you as one of the 100 Greatest Living Songwriters, rubbing shoulders with Dylan, Cohen and Springstein, and your first novel is being readied for a June release. You’re thinking packed stadiums, paparazzi everywhere and fame and fortune. Right?
The last time I saw Josh Ritter was in the very un-stadium surroundings of a dank social club in Leeds. Packed in with around a hundred other fans, Josh trialled new material off his So Runs the World Away album, and everyone left asking why someone that talented was playing a social club in Leeds.
The 33 year old Idaho native has been teetering in the wasteland between stardom and obscurity since the release of his self titled debut in 1999. Guitar in hand he has sprinkled his albums with folk tinged Americana and image rich lyrics.
His songs are littered with literary references, a by product of studying American History through Narrative Folk Music at University. He sings of cowboy shootouts, heart breaking mummies and an apocalyptic Adam and Eve amongst other things. He has been labelled as everything from folk to indie, but Josh doesn’t agree.
“I play rock ‘n’ roll with lots of words.”
And in the words is where the magic lies, whisking you away to surreal distant plains, with nameless heroes and broken dreams and hearts. Each song is like a short story and sure enough when the songs became too small to contain his words, Mr Ritter went off and wrote a book.
Due to be released on June 28th, Bright’s Passage follows a WWI vet, Henry Bright, as he and his son flee a forest fire and Henry’s own cruel in-laws.
Josh may just be the benchmark in how to survive in the middle ground of music. Too talented to give up, but with teeny boppers and carefully constructed pretty people bands blocking the way to chart success, what do you do?
Constant touring, album releases and licensing of songs for TV (appearing on Parenthood and House) have allowed Josh to survive and keep pouring out quality music, which he seems to enjoy doing very much.
Fifty years ago Josh Ritter would have been a star. Mind blowing record sales, packed arenas and legendary status. But nowadays, where it’s so hard for the cream to reach the top, we just have to keep hoping that he keeps trying and one day breaks through.
Josh’s UK tour starts April 12th 2011
12th April – Edinburgh – Liquid Rooms (Keep checking Purple Revolver for our review of this gig!)
13th April – Belfast – Mandela Hall
15th & 16th April – Dublin – Vicar Street
18th & 19th April – London – Scala
20th April – Pocklington – Pocklington Arts Centre
Bright’s Passage is released on June 28th 2011 by Dial Press
So Runs the World Away was released on May 3rd 2010 on Pytheas Records