V2 Records has announced the signing of singer/songwriter Josh Ritter. On Feb. 22, the label will re-release a limited edition version of his critically acclaimed independent release, Hello Starling, packaged with a special EP featuring previously unreleased live songs from a recent show in Dublin.
Produced by David Odlum (Gemma Hayes, The Frames), Hello Starling was recorded over a two week period at Black Box Studios (an old dairy farm) outside of Angers, France, and contains 11 tracks of original material.
Ritter says, ?The thick stone walls, high ceilings and old gear (much of it Curtis Mayfield?s old equipment) made for a record which I think sounds conversational and honest. The live EP will also be available as a standalone item.?
Hello Starling was nominated for the 2004 Shortlist Music Prize by Norah Jones, and Ritter?s song ?Kathleen? won the 2004 Boston Music Award for Song of the Year following up his win in 2003 for Best Male Singer/Songwriter.
This past spring, Ritter performed to sold-out audiences in the U.K. and appeared at the Cambridge Folk Festival (alongside Gillian Welch) and the V Festival (alongside The Strokes and the Pixies). Recently, he played his biggest gig to date, headlining one night at the Heineken Green Energy Festival at Dublin Castle. Morrissey, The Streets and Iggy Pop headlined other nights of the festival.
Ritter will be playing select East Coast performances this December.
