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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

Do you have a motto in life?

“Not really,” he shrugs. “But I always think back to this quote from Pascal that was on my mom’s wall -“See what everyone else is seeing, and think what no one else has thought.” That’s what I’m trying to do with my songs.

“But also, I feel that if you believe in what you’re doing then you can really move mountains and it doesn’t matter what anybody else is doing. You know, there’s no competition. So stay true to yourself, I suppose.”

Once we’ve all creakily cable-carred down from the mountaintop the following morning, we don’t see very much of Josh. We enjoy a quick and expensive lunch, and then he’s off to the church for rehearsals for the show with Hilary with a parting, “See you guys later!”

Left to our own devices, we soon discover that there’s not a whole lot to do in Verbier, except to drink and talk, and then talk and drink. Photographer, PR person and journalists are all unanimously agreed that Josh Ritter is a true gentleman – and a highly talented musician, to boot.

Several hours later, in a beautifully lit local church, both of those points are hammered home by Monsieur Ritter himself. He plays a wonderfully evocative set, and his duets with Hilary are positively mindblowing.

Before he even begins, though, he steps out in front of the kind of audience that John Lennon would’ve probably encouraged to shake jewellery and, just before launching into an eerily haunting version of ‘Idaho’, tells them, “My name is Hilary Hahn... (laughs)... Nah, my name is Josh Ritter and I’m a rock musician. And I’m terrified.”

From which point on, they absolutely love him. Wahay! The Swiss roll over. Another conquest in the bag.

Josh Ritter's new album The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter is out now on Independent Records



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Olaf Tyaransen

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