Audiofeed 2019 preview: Ritt Momney

By Ryan G

Photo by James Kowalski / Words by Ryan Getz

Audiofeed is known for a lot of things: its community, its memorable mosh pits, music discovery.

Add bedroom pop to that list. Enter Ritt Momney.

If you’ve attended Audiofeed every year, you probably glanced at Ritt Momney, the moniker of Salt Lake City’s Jack Rutter, and noticed how high up it was on the poster. If you were like me, you went “huh?”

Reading up a bit on the background of the indie singer reveals why he fits on the Audiofeed lineup a bit more. As I mentioned above, the festival is about music discovery—I have found some of my favorite artists to champion there. Ritt Momney not only writes cool bedroom pop ditties, but also seems to have the team to really make something of himself. His publicist has handled several high profile clients, and the roster of his booking agency is certainly nothing to sneeze at either. As you’ll see below, his personality (via our Q&A) is humble and unassuming. Another reason he fits on the Audiofeed lineup is that he is emerging from a religious background (Mormon) into a new, undefined spiritual existence that is open-ended but decisively isn’t Mormon. While many (maybe even most) that attend Audiofeed, myself included, are staunch Christians, many can relate to being in the wilderness spiritually as they ask questions and all of the angst and collateral damage that comes with that. You’ll hear that in Ritt Momney’s music.

Also, it’s super nice in general to listen to. It makes me think I should spend more time in this genre. Anyway, here are Jack’s responses to our 2019 edition of the Tuned Up Audiofeed Q&A:

Tuned Up: What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

Ritt Momney (Jack): Mint chocolate chip.

If your music was a cocktail (or other beverage), what would it be?

Water.

What’s a memorable live show you’ve played? Why?

Opening for Death Cab for Cutie at Kilby Court’s 20th anniversary was definitely one to remember. The stage was 4 times bigger than any other we’ve played.

What books or films have impacted you in the past year? Why?

Earl Sweatshirt’s new album is something I can really connect to emotionally. Also, both JPEGMAFIA’s and Feist’s latest albums are great. The Vault albums by STRFKR are always frequent listens.

What books or films have impacted you in the past year? Why?

I’m reading a book called The Wizard and the Prophet, by Charles Mann. It’s sort of about the decay of the Earth and two different approaches to it. Heavy recommend there. As for films, Paterson and Short Term 12 are depressing and great.

What is your one weird thing you never tour without?

Definitely my Adderall (prescribed, btw). That’s the only reason I can ever get anything done, and it makes the long drives infinitely more bearable. Not that we’ve toured much, though. This is only our second trip out of state.

What is that don’t miss spot in your hometown?

I really do not go outside, so I wouldn’t really know. I will say that SLC and the mountains surrounding it are beautiful, but my can’t miss spot has to be my room/studio.

Besides Audiofeed, what is a don’t miss festival?

Idk, I’ve never attended a festival until this one… I’ve never really been one for live music, I’ve probably been to like 8 concerts I wasn’t playing at.

What is the most exciting thing happening in your world right now?

Getting ready to tour and then move to LA is really exciting. I’m pretty introverted, but I’m super ready to meet a ton of new people who didn’t all grow up the exact same way I did. I feel really lucky that music can sort of be my ticket out of the monotonous lifestyle I’ve felt trapped in for a while.

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Follow Ritt Momney on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. He plays at 8:15 PM in the Radon Lounge on July 4th.

2020 EDIT: Check out Ritt Momney’s cover of “Put Your Records On” by Corrine Bailey Rae below:

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