The Ritter End
It’s been a tumultuous few years for Josh Ritter. Against the dramatic backdrop of the Swiss Alps, he talks about his number one fan Stephen King, recalls the day he met Bob Dylan and explains why it’s never a good idea to drink before a show
Olaf Tyaransen, 11 Sep 2007
“I get a lot of letters. Usually when I’m on the road I try and do a couple every day. I use postcards that are old, kinda cool-looking postcards. I think it’s important to stay real to people. You know, the worst thing is that you end up going out and performing to dots. Because then you’ve lost your touch.
“I think I heard Jarvis Cocker or somebody like that saying in an interview that you get hipper and hipper and then suddenly you’re all alone in a room eating dinner off a paper plate. I never want to be like that. It just sounds awful.”
Even so, by his own admission, Ritter is recognised a lot when he’s out and about. However, he tells me he finds that a charm offensive usually works a charm.
“When you are treated like a celebrity, my favourite thing about it is deflating it as fast as possible. When it does happen, it’s almost like a practical joke. I can’t imagine how anybody gets off on it. It’s not any fun. People treat you differently. People expect you to be different, and that’s one part where I really have trouble. I just don’t care for it. I mean, I see that it exists and it’s probably part of what I do... ”
Come on, Josh! Some part of you must love it!!
“(Laughs) Yeah, of course, there’s part of me that really likes that, I’d have to be totally honest,” he laughs. “Who doesn’t when their little dream of being a rock star comes true? It’s definitely not much fun, but I definitely love the idea. I just have a problem with it in physical reality. And one of the things that’s cool about being here in Switzerland is that nobody knows anything about what I do, so you can do whatever you want.”
Of course, the question must be asked that, as a non-smoker, light drinker and never-drug-taker, what is it exactly that he wants to do? Is wild sex with groupies on the agenda?
Apparently not. Sorry ladies, but he’s already taken...
“I’m in a long-term thing at the moment,” he says, looking slightly sheepish. “At least, I hope it is. I’m a long-term type of guy. I don’t want anything that is going to be short term, I don’t think. I mean I have. (Laughs)
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