Josh Ritter initially studied neuroscience at Oberlin College before switching to music and gaining recognition with albums like Golden Age of Radio (2002) and The Animal Years (2006). 

He is also an author, with his first novel published in 2011, and performs with the Royal City Band.

Ritter draws on literary influences such as Mark Twain and Philip Roth for his song craft, he is known as one of the 100 Greatest Living Songwriters (Paste Magazine, 2006)