top of page

JOSH RITCHIE

“I first saw Josh perform at Folk Music Ontario, now Folk Canada, in 2024 and I was absolutely blown away. Josh needs to be added to your ‘artists to watch’ list!”

 

 

Alison Bowie 

~Ottawa Grassroots Festival Producer 

Josh Ritchie is a born performer. Ever since he could stand he's had a guitar in his hands and songs in his bones. From the minute the kid walks on stage it’s obvious he was meant to be there. Ritchie commands audiences with the confidence of a seasoned front man, serving them larger-than-life, stadium-rock energy at every show.

 

To describe Ritchie as just a singer-songwriter/guitar slinger is a massive understatement. This is a

young man with complete control and understanding of his craft. He is an arranger, composer and poet, each song is meticulously thought out to serve the listener his chosen themes, stories and commentary on the world.

 

As a young and ambitious person of colour, Ritchie quickly became fascinated with the relationship between art and activism. Growing up, he was influenced by bands and artists that weren’t afraid to make a statement with their art and he strives to do the same himself. In 2021 Ritchie put this into practice releasing a self-titled EP about his experiences growing up BIPOC in rural Ontario. His second studio album Love at the End of the World, which further explored these themes, had a sold out launch event at Lee’s Palace in Toronto and went on to obtain attention throughout North America through such outlets as The CBC, Cashbox Radio, Canadian Beats, Record World International, Volatile Weekly and many more.

 

Now Ritchie prepares for the release of his third studio album So Much More Than a Dream in 2025. This epic concept album tells the story of a young adult searching for peace and purpose in our increasingly turbulent world. Keep a close eye on Josh Ritchie as his artistic and musical prowess soars to new heights in the years to come.

"These are songs of togetherness, equality, empathy and, of course, love,” the Toronto singer-songwriter says. But there’s more to the disc than that. “With this record I opened up about more serious topics. A number of songs are directly influenced by my experience organizing and leading a Black Lives Matter event, but another theme of my writing was dealing with the fact that as a young person we are inheriting a broken and burning world and we are forced to be the generation to stand up and do something about it."

- Darryl Sterdan - Tinnitist 

"You can hear the emotion and power in his voice, combined with catchy melodies, lyrical and dreamy guitar work, and sweeping drum grooves on his first album, Louder, released in 2019.  Josh is a natural songwriter, creating songs that hook you and keep you wanting more.  I get Hozier vibes mixed with U2, and a unique quality of rock storytelling.  I can’t wait to see him perform live sometime, because you can hear the intensity in his words.  I love when you can hear that someone truly means the lyrics they are singing."

-Laura Conning, Route 26 ON 

Josh Ritchie on CBC.png

Upcoming Dates

Apr. 25

2025

GAIN Fest, Guelph ON

Apr. 26

2025

Ottawa Grassroots Festival, Ottawa ON

Jul. 12

2025

Lighthouse Blues Festival, Kincardine ON

Logo Still_edited_edited.png

© 2019 by Josh Ritchie. Proudly created with Wix.com

bottom of page