Josh Ritter

One of today’s most prolific voices, Josh Ritter has released ten studio albums including 2019’s widely acclaimed, Fever Breaks, of which NPR Music praised, “He remains a hydrant of ideas while embodying an endless capacity for empathy and indignation, often within a single song.” Celebrated for his richly crafted storytelling, heartfelt lyrics, and enchanting blend of folk, rock, and Americana, Ritter’s songs are often rooted in personal experiences and historical themes. The New York Times reflects, “Harking back to Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and maybe a little Mark Knopfler, Mr. Ritter has always been a slinger of serious ideas and high-flown imagery.”

In addition to his work as a musician, Ritter is also a national best-selling author, having released two novels to date: 2021’s The Great Glorious Goddamn of It All and 2011’s Bright’s Passage. Released to critical attention, Stephen King wrote in The New York Times Book Review that Bright’s Passage “shines with a compressed lyricism that recalls Ray Bradbury in his prime … This is the work of a gifted novelist.”

His latest album, Spectral Lines, finds Ritter thinking about space exploration: looking for signs of life, reaching for a sense of commonality, something that feels universal in this infinite universe with songs that push beyond the bounds of previous work. Recorded with longtime collaborator Sam Kassirer producing, it’s an album full of wonder and light as Ritter considers the ideas of love, devotion and what it means to be connected, to each other and to ourselves. “Josh Ritter remains at the top of his game two decades into a highlight-strewn career. He’d be forgiven for loosening his grip, but his hand has never felt surer.” – NPR Music