Alaska News

Songwriting and the scientific method: Josh Ritter returns with shows in Anchorage, Palmer

The way Josh Ritter sees it, the entire musical world is filled with folk singers.

Whether it's a Ritter-penned tale of a polar-venturing sea captain in search of an undiscovered land or a real-life hip-hop mogul paying homage to the world's greatest city, everyone has a story to tell.

"Whatever anybody calls folk music is far broader," he said. "We have such a flat world as far as music, everyone is telling stories that anyone can classify with folk, even Jay Z."

It hasn't been difficult for Ritter to break from any perceived folk shackles to enter the conversation as simply one of the finest songwriters of his generation.

The son of two neuroscientists growing up in Moscow, Idaho, Ritter initially thought he would follow his parents into a scientific field.

But it didn't take him long to realize his passion for words and stories far outweighed any other interests.

"When I discovered songwriting, it was a hook to hang your hat on," he said. "I loved writing and lyrics. I felt like I understood lyrics, and it's so addictive, and I wanted to do it myself. What happens to a lot of young writers, when you're 17 or 18, you don't have a lot of stories. I was stuck with whimsy and historical stuff."

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He attended Oberlin College in Ohio with the intention of studying neuroscience, but Ritter quickly moved to a self-styled major, "American History through Narrative Folk Music."

Ritter's upbringing likely informed his songwriting technique in the fashion of the scientific method -- watching, learning and trying to solve a song like a puzzle.

"I was drawn more to the scientists themselves, the idea of watching an explorer explore," he said. "I've always loved learning -- that feeling of lying in bed at night and trying to solve a problem. That feeling is so fantastic and makes you feel so alive. You always have one head in another world."

Ritter released his eponymous debut album in 1999 and less than two years later self-released "Golden Age of Radio."

The albums helped Ritter gain some buzz, both in the U.S. and Europe, where he built fan bases in both England and Ireland.

Irish musician Dave Odlum produced Ritter's third album, "Hello Starling," which debuted at No. 2 on the Irish charts and led to him signing with British label V2 Records.

"The Animal Years," released in 2006, was hailed by critics and proclaimed by author Stephen King as the album of the year in a column in Entertainment Weekly.

Ritter continued to push his songwriting into new and unusual territory with "So Runs the World Away" in 2010. Trying to find inspiration for songs that would go on the album, Ritter was frequenting libraries and museums in New York City. Those visits spawned "The Curse," a song about a mummy who awakens to fall in love with the archaeologist who discovered him. Though bizarre on its face, Ritter weaves the song into a genuine, dreamy waltz.

"My heroes have always been innovative in storytelling," he said.

Ritter's fondness for Alaska is apparent. He's toured the state multiple times, last in January 2012 when he performed three sold-out shows.

"I got to fly around in a bush plane and saw all sorts of exciting things for me as a voyeur in Alaska," he said.

Part of Ritter's attraction to the state is that it has parallels to his home state of Idaho.

"I think that in so many ways, we're kindred spirits, even more so than Washington, which would seem to be logical," he said. "Growing up not so far from the Canadian border, knowing the wilderness will extend is so exotic. As a kid, I thought I could take a few apples, head up north and get (to Alaska)."

Ritter also has a fiction book under his belt and another in the works. In addition to King, he's gained fans in the literary world including Cameron Crowe and Dennis Lehane, who contributed liner notes to a reissue of "Hello Starling."

"I recently got back to a book I put on hold to make the (upcoming) record," he said. "I'm having fun with it. My partner Haley (Tanner) is a novelist. I always get a ton of inspiration from watching her work."

One of the biggest changes in Ritter's life -- and his songwriting -- came with the birth of his daughter in 2012.

Ritter described himself as "terrified" by fatherhood initially, with the prospect of losing independence and time to concentrate on music, as well as the imperative to be away from his family for extended periods while on tour.

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"I don't think it changes your life," he said. "It annihilates your former life. Like lots of people, I was really scared. Luckily my partner Haley sees the big picture much easier. We've traveled all over the world (with our daughter). It hasn't been a limited experience at all."

While his time to write is more condensed, he said it has given him added motivation and creativity.

"I used to sit around looking at the dog for hours and think I can just put a pin in it," he said. "Now if I have an hour, I can get something done."

The writing is complete for Ritter's next album, recorded in New Orleans and due for release in the fall. He expects it to be a deviation from some of his more somber work, returning to the vibrance of 2007's "The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter."

"It's a really fun, completely all-over-the-map rock record," he said. "I think it reflects the time our family, Haley and I are in: very creative and lots of sun. I'm so, so proud of it. I think people will like it. I hope they do."

Josh Ritter

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 17

Where: Discovery Theatre

Tickets: $45 at centertix.net

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When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 18

Where: Glenn Massay Theater in Palmer

Tickets: $42 at centertix.net

Chris Bieri

Chris Bieri is the sports and entertainment editor at the Anchorage Daily News.

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