Watch: Josh Ritter - The Curse

Some videos are very much throwaway. They serve as no more than just a vehicle for the song. Others, like this one, are definitely worth watching. Sometimes more than once too. 'The Curse' is the new song from Josh Ritter, and the video is entirely the work of Liam Hurley (of Ritter's Royal City Band). It's gorgeous, have a look below.

Josh Ritter also has some more Irish dates coming up:
Sun 18 July - Iveagh Gardens, Dublin (with Special Guest Villagers - solo show)
Fri 23 July - Festival Big Top, Galway (with Special Guests Damien Dempsey / Cathy Davey)
Sat 24 July - INEC, Killarney (with Special Guest John Spillane)

Watch Josh Ritter - 'The Curse':

Live: Josh Ritter at the Iveagh Gardens

After the announcement that American singer-songwriter Tori Amos is set to appear at the Iveagh Gardens this summer, honourary Irishman Josh Ritter has been added to the summer festivities. He'll be playing the Iveagh Gardens on July 18th. I might be going to see Ritter as part of the Kilkenny Rhythm and Roots Festival (check out the full lineup here), and must say he is a fantastic talent. He's promoting his new album So Runs the World Away at the moment. The album itself is due out this weekend.

Tickets for Ritter's show cost €38, and are on sale from this Friday.

Watch Josh Ritter 'Kathleen' live in Dublin:

Live: Kilkenny Rhythm and Roots Festival Lineup

Thanks to Peter at 2uibestow for reminding me to check out the full listings for the Kilkenny Rhythm and Roots Festival. There are some fantastic acts playing the last weekend of April at various venues all around the city, including Josh Ritter, Caitlin Rose, Joe Pug, James Vincent McMorrow, and most importantly (for me anyway), Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit.

American/UK acts:
Josh Ritter and The Royal City Band
The Duke and The King
Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit
Jason & The Scorchers
The Band Of Heathens
Hot Club Of Cowtown
Chris Smither
Pete Molinari
Dex Romweber Duo
Joe Pug
Uncle Monk
Caitlin Rose
Elvis Fontenot & The Sugarbees

Irish acts:
James Vincent McMorrow
Clive Barnes
Ben Reel Band
Raglan Rodeo
The Rye
David Hope & The Henchmen
River Valley Band
Swingin' Blue Cats
Jezzebelle
Loudest Whisper
Rumbleshack
Tupelo
KJ McEvoy Band
TV Jones and The Tomahawks
Louisiana Joyride
Memphis Cats
Road Trouble
Niall Toner Band
The Sullivan Brothers
Beef Supreme

Check out the full line-up, as well as gig dates and ticket prices here:
http://www.kilkennyroots.com/gigs.asp

Download: Josh Ritter - Change of Time

'Change of Time' is the first single from Josh Ritter's new album So Runs the World Away. It'll be released in Ireland on April 23rd ahead of his nationwide tour, but the US and other countries will have to wait until May to hear it. You can download the song by entering your email below, and also have a listen to the title track.

Irish dates:
April 24 - Radisson SAS, Galway
April 25 - Dolan's, Limerick
April 27 - Grand Canal Theatre, Dublin
April 30 - Kilkenny Rhythym and Roots Festival

Download 'Change of Time':

Stream 'So Runs the World Away':

Live: Josh Ritter at Vicar Street

Thanks once again to our very own Pamela Flood (Jim Carroll) for info on another upcoming Irish gig. This time it's our favourite singer-songwriter (screw you Damien Rice!), Josh Ritter at Vicar Street. Josh will play there on December 11th along with a massive 24-piece backing band, or orchestra as they're also called.

Original info found here:
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/ontherecord/2008/09/03/josh-ritter-dublin-december/

See Josh playing 'To The Dogs' at Electric Picnic, just for 2fm here:

Setlist: Josh Ritter, Electric Picnic, 30 August 2008

One of the highlights of the Electric Picnic 2008 festival must definitely be Josh Ritter. He's been adored in Ireland for many a year now, and from the evidence of his Crawdaddy Stage performance, rightly so!

Bright Smile
Wolves
Good Man
To the Dogs or whoever
Right Moves
Fireflies
Rumours
Real long distance
Kathleen
Empty Hearts

Sheila has many more photos here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10578377@N06/sets/72157607053053888/