I spoke with Josh Ritter about his new EP of rare and unreleased songs, See Here, I Have Built You A Mansion. Josh also created the cover art and is an engaging conversationalist. Hear our conversation here.

Josh Ritter is Getting Ready To Get Down!  His rapid-fire vocal on that lead track from his new album, Sermon On The Rocks, sets the tone for a spirited record that is sure to end up on many a top ten list for 2015.  The son of neuroscientists in Idaho recorded the album in New Orleans with his Royal City Band on whom he heaped praise: Josh Kaufman on guitar, Sam Kassir on keys, Zack Hickman on bass, and Liam Hurley on drums.  Matt Barick (ex-Walkmen) helped out on drums on the album.  Trina Shoemaker – whom he called a wild genius – co-produced it with Ritter.

Looking like his stage uniform might have been inspired by The J. Geils Band’s attire circa Freeze Frame…

Josh and I enjoyed a couple of beers and spoke about the themes that emerged when he was able to exhale after the recording process (2 weeks at The Parlor studios) and examine the songs he had written for the new album.  He also revealed that he has found his inner New Yorker.  After growing up in the sticks and trying Woodstock on for size – among other places – he’s settled in Brooklyn not so far from Rough Trade NYC where he played an epic album release show on Thursday (October 22, 2015).  He’s also writing songs with a certain member of the Grateful Dead these days!

Tame Impala, “Elephant” (technically, last year I know but c’mon, it’s my fave of the whole year)
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, “Jubilee Street”
Lorde, “Royals”
Josh Ritter, “Hopeful”
Arctic Monkeys, “R U Mine?”
Clairy Browne & The Bangin’ Rackettes, “Love Letter”
The White Buffalo, “Joey White”
Billy Bragg, “Handyman Blues”
Daft Punk, “Get Lucky”
Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside, “Party Kids”