More than Just Bob Meets Bruce: Josh Ritter and the New Americana

When I sat down to write my last post, I fully intended to talk about the music of Josh Ritter, but as you can see, as soon as I put pen to paper it evolved into more of a contemplation of the transition into adulthood and the redefinition of cool that entails. But, after reading it over, I realized that there are many people, not just 15-year old store clerks, who have no clue who Josh Ritter is and this is something that should change.

Josh Ritter is often compared to Bob Dylan meets Bruce Springteen. As a singer-songwriter in the Americana style, there isn’t much he can do to escape these comparisons and truth be told he’s certainly got songwriting chops (though I would hesitate to say he’s that close to Dylan – for me Dylan is still untouchable) as well as at least as much stage presence as The Boss. But these comparisons aren’t entirely fair – he’s something completely new and entirely himself as well. Americana past shouldn’t rule Americana present.

Take for example the track “The Curse” off Ritter’s new album So Runs the World Away. Can you find me another songwriter who could write a beautiful and non-comedic song about a mummy that falls in love with an archaeologist? I doubt it. His “Girl in the War” similarly enters previously unexplored lyrical territory. Sure he’s got traditional singer-songwriter territory covered – love, heartbreak, peace and war, the meaning of it all. But it’s his lyrical flexibility and his willingness to play with the conventions of the genre that set him apart and make him so wonderful.

Despite his strong Americana sound, Ritter first achieved success overseas and his name still carries more weight in the Irish market than it does in the Canadian, which is a shame. On the plus side though, he’s in that weird in-between stage where he’s neither a small fish nor a huge name that not only means he is swinging by Ottawa, but he’s playing a fairly small venue (meaning I’ll actually be able to see him) and I was able to get a ticket at a reasonable price.

So help me show Mr. Ritter a warm Ottawa (and Canadian) welcome. I promise you won’t be disappointed. For those of you looking for where to start in josh Ritter’s back catalogue:

The Curse (the video was done by his drummer Liam Hurley)

Come and Find Me

The Temptation of Adam

Snow is Gone

Girl in the War

Have I Jumped the Cool Shark: A Tale of Ticketmaster, Dead Actors and Chewing Gum

A couple of days ago know I eagerly ventured to the Ticketmaster location nearest my house (during rush hour I might add) to get my ticket to see Josh Ritter and The Royal City Band play Ottawa’s Capital City Music Hall in October. The ticket was a preI’m not absolutely positive that any of my friends are coming with me though I have a few tentative yeses). As I walked out the Jean Machine with the golden ticket in my hand (the ticket is quite literally gold in colour) my elation was still somewhat tempered.

I’d like to think I’m still ‘cool’. I have a ‘cool’ job (for the time being) and a ‘cool’ degree (I studied the relationship between film and Irish terrorism). I wear ‘cool’ cardigans (which aren’t very cool at all in the summer) and have many ‘cool’ friends. But then again, my friends, cardigans, degree and job are all ‘cool’ in relation to being a twenty-something as opposed to being 15. The store-clerk, and, to a lesser extent my sister (at least she knows who Josh Ritter is – I think) are probably right. I am quite lame to a 15 year old, but that’s the way it should be.

If obsessing over Twilight (no offence to older Twilight fans), the Jonas Brothers or what happened in the last episode of Pretty Little Liars is what they consider ‘cool’, I am definitely quite happy being lame. I’ll take my Josh Ritter over Ke$ha, my Bob Dylan over Down With Webster, and my James Joyce over Stephanie Meyer. I’ll rejoice in the lameness that is adulthood. And next time I get that look from my sister I’ll remind her that I can have popsicles for breakfast and can’t be grounded… lameness has its perks.