Independent records Josh Ritter news

+++++Josh Ritter signs to V2 Records for the world outside Ireland++++

+++2FM to broadcast Dublin Castle Show next Sunday 12th December at

+++8pm++

++Josh on new UNCUT CD++

++Love Is The Drug ++

++Tickets for Josh Ritter acoustic shows on sale now++

So Josh Ritter our young friend from Idaho has taken the next step in his career and has signed to V2 Records for his next album for the world excluding Ireland where he'll remain on Independent Records.

His most recent Gold selling Hello Starling album was released on Independent Records in August 2003, on Signature Sounds in the U.S. in September 2003 and on Setanta Records in the UK in 2004.

In Ireland, Josh and band began the year with three sold out shows in Dublin, Cork and Galway. He then came over for a six date acoustic tour in May where he played Kilkenny, Sligo, Ennis, Letterkenny, Limerick and Dundalk. In June he brought over his full band for a magnificent outdoor headliner in Dublin Castle as part of the Green Energy Festival.

It's also been a great year for Josh in the U.K. where Snow Is Gone (retitled Hello Starling) became the most played song on Radio 2 culminating in a UK tour which included a sold out date at St. James Church Picadilly and an excellent Mojo piece where he was asked about the influence of Johnny Cash on his life. He's also featured on the latest CD free with UNCUT magazine which is music influenced by Bob Dylan.

Josh's new friends in V2 are going to repackage the album Hello Starling with a bunch of tracks recorded in Ireland and we're delighted to say that Independent Records will also be releasing the double pack (in late February), the tracks will also be available as a stand alone e.p.

Speaking to Billboard magazine Josh said "Ireland was the first place I really began to feel like I could make a living as a songwriter, people were so excited to see something new, and there's [such] an incredibly rich culture of performing and singing that they made me feel really welcome. I used to think Ireland might be the only place that got my music, but as I've been touring and touring, the audiences are growing everywhere in the same kind of natural, good way they did in Ireland." As for the new year. " I have a few more shows, and then a good rest someplace very high up and cold.

I plan to snow shoe and wear a lot of plaid for the next couple months.

Then, the band and I begin to make the new record. It's going to be a big year and I'm excited to begin. Again, thanks for everything and I'll see you at the shows!"

So it's very exciting that Josh is rounding off the year with some acoustic shows in Ireland. Below are the details and support is from Canada's finest Kathleen Edwards who will be following up her debut 'Failer' album early next year.

******DECEMBER IRISH SHOWS*******

******With Kathleen Edwards******

Monday 13th December

Opera House, Cork

Thursday 16th December

Vicar Street, Dublin *SOLD OUT*

Friday 17th December

Vicar Street, Dublin (standing show)

Sunday 19th December

Black Box Theatre, Galway

**** 2FM Broadcasting Dublin Castle show on 12th December ************

We're delighted that 2FM have decided to broadcast Josh's Dublin Castle show from last June on Sunday 12th December (and the 5th as some of the paper's had mentioned) on 2FM at 8pm.

**UNCUT MAGAZINE ***

The current issue of the fabulous UNCUT Magazine features two separate CD's related to Bob Dylan. One features music inspired by and the other features music which inspired Dylan. Josh's You Don't Make It Easy Babe is featured alongside tracks by Billy Bragg, John Prine, Warren Zevon and more.

** Love Is The Drug **

Big thanks to the makers of the excellent Irish drama Love Is The Drug who used Josh's Kathleen the programme last night. They follow in the footsteps of Hector who earlier this year used Josh's California.

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