Joshua Ritter
Lead vocal, guitar, songwriting, lethal kicks.
He’s an enigma, wrapped inside a riddle. Who often rhymes.
Zack Hickman
Bass, guitar, tuba, strings and heavy lifting.
Josh and Zack met at Oberlin College around the time of Josh’s self-titled debut album. Zack has arranged, played on, and driven to most of the josh albums and gigs since then. In addition to Josh-related work, Zack has just wrapped up his first production gig, producing a new record by singer Laura Cortese.
[ website | myspace | email ]
Sam Kassirer
Piano, keyboards, organ, accordion and weird sounds.
Sam comes to us via Zack (the two of them were playing jazz together in NYC), back in 2003. The youngest of Josh’s band, Sam also has the most gear.
Hailing from Boston, MA, Sam founded and runs The Great North Sound Society, an 18th century farmhouse-turned-recording studio located in the wonderful state of Maine. It is there that he produced Josh’s new album So Runs the World Away, as well as 2007′sThe Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter. He also has recorded and produced other albums by artists like Langhorne Slim, Allie Moss, and Erin McKeown.
Sam is the youngest of six, has been playing the piano since he was seven years old, and enjoys bb gun shooting. Sometimes he’s known as “Skinny” and he has a dog named Lucy.
[ the gnss | sam's website | sam on twitter ]
Austin Nevins
Guitar, lap steel, baritone, photography, jugglin’, candlepin bowler.
Hailing from the town of Mill Valley, CA, Austin is also known as “The Preacher” and “Rabbit” to the band.
Classic retro hats don’t make him look good; he makes the hats look good. Yes, he’s that sharp. Onstage, Austin and his electric guitar had the honor of being the first player addition to the band, but it’s turned out to be the audience’s privilege. On the tour bus, he’s convinced that “Pass the Pigs” is not a game, but a sport. And when you see him play, you may be convinced as well.
When not touring with Josh, you can find Austin playing, recording and producing music (some out of his home studio) with many great New England songwriters.
[ website | myspace | facebook ]
Liam Hurley
Drums, percussion, yelling, puppeteering.
Liam joined Josh & Co. in January 2007, playing his first gig with the band on The Late Show with David Letterman. Needless to say, his folks were psyched. Prior to the band, Liam had left his hometown of Simsbury, CT to study jazz at New York University. There he met the inimitable Sam Kassirer and thus set in to motion his plans for world domination. After amassing billions in commodities brokerage, Liam began cultivating his public persona as a flamboyant, feckless socialite. But by night, Liam would don body armor and hood as the masked avenger who brought pilfered riches to the indigent, trivial knowledge to the ignorant, and rock to Salmon Arm, BC.
After some protracted legal difficulties, Liam was forced into superhero retirement, much to chagrin of his fanclub. But unbeknownst to the authorities, Hurley has found an even better cover; one that allows him to roam the world, rock from London to LA, and still leave time to rescue damsels in distress. What better place to hide than right out in the open? Since joining the band, Liam has had the pleasure of making great music for more people and in more places than he can even fathom. All while evading detection! He also works on marionettes.
[ website | email ]
Tim Craven
Makes problems go away.
Making the hardest job on a tour look easy, Tim is also the man you’ll find behind the soundboard during most of Josh’s shows (if the audience is lucky).
Tim is a producer, songwriter, and guitarist to boot, and while not working with Josh Tim can be found working with many other artists spanning several genres. He resides in Nashville, TN.
[ myspace | email ]
Doug Rice
Tough Love Management, Street Team, photography, internets, mascot.
Hailing proudly from the beaches of the Jersey Shore, Doug started with Josh and the band as a fan, yelling in the front row of an Asbury Park bar, back in 2003. Not much has changed. Thank god.
In 2004 however, the fanatic was welcomed into Team Ritter and channeled (reformed, really) into part of Tough Love Artist Management and running Josh’s Street Team, his websites, and a lot more. During the shows, you’ll find Doug anywhere and everywhere (look for the glare off his gorgeously shaved head), backstage or in the balcony, in the front row or at the bar.
Doug works hard and plays hard, often getting the two confused. But he’s always there, behind the scenes, probably yelling.
[ fansite | myspace | email ]
