Josh Ritter

Josh Ritter is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist from Moscow, Idaho, celebrated for his literate, narrative-driven songwriting within the Americana and folk-rock tradition. He studied neuroscience before turning fully to music, and his self-created major in «American history through folk music» shaped the storytelling instinct that runs through his catalog. He typically records and tours with his longtime backing group, the Royal City Band.

Ritter built his reputation through albums such as «The Animal Years», «The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter» and «So Runs the World Away», with songs like «Girl in the War», «Kathleen» and «The Temptation of Adam» standing among his best-known work. His songwriting draws on folk, gospel, and classic rock influences, often blending personal reflection with historical and biblical imagery.

In 2006, Paste Magazine named him one of the Top 100 Living Songwriters, cementing his standing among a generation of literary-minded American songwriters. Beyond music, Ritter is also a published novelist, and his work has earned him a devoted following for its warmth, wit, and emotional depth.