Cat Ridgeway

How did you get your start in music? Did you grow up in a musical family?

Music was always around, and my parents always encouraged the noise. My brother started learning guitar when I was in kindergarten, and I wanted to be cool like him. My hands were too small at first, so I ended up on drums. From there, I just kept picking up different instruments. I cut my teeth at a local recording studio's open mic and ended up recording my first songs there, too (shoutout to GRP!--Greg Rike Productions). That led to opening for some legendary artists as a teenager, which gave me my first real shot at a career in music.

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What made you decide to pursue music?

It never felt like a decision—music just always was. I was constantly writing, playing in bands, and taking every chance to perform. One opportunity led to another, and before I knew it, I was making a living doing what I love. But if I had to trace it back to a singular moment, it would be the very first time I heard a fully produced recording of my own music. I was 13 or 14 at the time, and witnessing this little acoustic guitar song I wrote in my bedroom become an entire orchestration really set me on fire.

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Who are your musical influences? How do they impact your music?

I grew up on The Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, Michael Jackson, and ‘90s alternative, but I was always drawn to indie and alternative rock. My first-ever album purchases were Modest Mouse and Beastie Boys. These days, I’m big on Pinegrove, Big Thief, Sylvan Esso, and System of a Down. I love artists who blend strong storytelling with unique sounds, and that absolutely informs my own songwriting and production choices.

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What was one of your biggest obstacles in your music career and how did you overcome it?

Self-doubt and burnout are real, and the pandemic throwing my first national tour (supporting Shawn Mullins) out the window was a gut punch. I channeled my energy into songwriting, learning new skills, and launching my coffee company. It reminded me that careers in music aren’t linear, and setbacks don’t mean failure. You just pivot, adapt, and keep going.

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You have toured across the country in your music journey. What have you learned from your experiences?

Touring teaches you resilience and adaptability real quick. I can't tell you how many times something has gone wrong on stage, and we've either acted like everything was fine or created space for happy accidents. You have to be able to roll with the punches. Touring has taught me not only how to do that, but how to find the joy and humor in it too.

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Being a full-time musician comes with its challenges. How do you keep your motivation and fire to keep pushing forward?

I just really love what I do. The high from a killer show, winning a tough crowd over, or writing a song that resonates keeps me going. I truly do feel called to make art, and the growth I've experienced within myself from sticking with it motivates me to keep pushing to uncover whatever else I have to offer creatively. Plus, "Sprinter" and the story behind it has shown me firsthand how much of a healer and connector music is - I want to continue making things that people can find happiness or comfort in.

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What is your writing process?

Usually, I hear a melody first and shape lyrics around it, but sometimes a lyric sparks the whole thing. I keep an archive of voice memos going back over a decade, and sometimes a bridge I’ve been trying to write is actually a chorus I'd already written six years ago. I also love setting creative challenges. For this album, I set very specific vocal and rhythmic parameters I wanted to hit that I thought would make for a good live show (a unison riff, a rapidfire vocal, a banjo drum solo).

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What is the story behind “Sprinter”? Did you use your usual writing process to write it?

“Sprinter” was inspired by a former roommate of mine who lost her battle with mental health. She was a literal runner, but she also ran metaphorically. The writing process for this one was extensive. Initially, the melody and lyrics felt like they fell out of the sky together. Over time, I refined the lyric, realizing how strong of a motif the engine light could be. Eventually, I ended up on a couple of phone calls with Livingston Taylor (a songwriter and James Taylor’s brother who has become a mentor to me), and he helped me iron out the handful of bridge/riff melodies I had.

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There are musicians who feel hesitant to collaborate with others. How do you like the process, and what advice do you have for any apprehensive musicians?

Working with the right people is magic. I adore collaboration. The only catch is both you and whomever else is involved must be in service to the craft, not the ego. My advice? Stay open. Even if it doesn’t go the way you expected, you’ll learn something. And if you find the right collaborators, they’ll push you in ways you never could on your own.

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How do you think the music industry can improve on nurturing a healthy environment for women musicians?

More accountability, more representation, and less gatekeeping. Women and feminine-presenting people are often held to different standards than men, and it needs to change. Women's capabilities and understanding of their instruments and the more technical side of music production/gear is often under scrutiny. The best way forward is for those in power to actively uplift women - primarily by LISTENING to them - and creating safer, more inclusive spaces.

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You have a Kickstarter for your new upcoming album, “Sprinter.” Tell me more about the Kickstarter: What will the funds be for, and what are your goals for this project?

The Kickstarter is about bringing this album to life and getting it in front of as many people as possible. Funds will go toward pressing vinyl, music videos, and promo to help get the record onto the national stage. A big goal is to chart on Billboard, and we have a strong chance of making that happen if enough folks pre-order the album! (To support her kickstarter, click here)

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What can we look forward to from your upcoming album? How does it compare to your past releases?

This album is the most honest thing I’ve ever written. Sonically, it’s indie rock with folk and punk undercurrents. Thematically, it’s about loss, healing, and learning to laugh again. Compared to my last record, this one feels bigger, deeper, more intentional, and wayyyyyy more me. (You can pre-save her upcoming album here)

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What advice would you give to any aspiring musician wanting to pursue a music career?

Stay true to your artistic instincts, and don't let anyone change you. Be open to constructive criticism and growth, of course, but if you think something is cool, it's cool. Let your own taste guide you. People are smart. They can tell when you're not in alignment with what you're doing. But the flip side of that is they will connect when they know what you're doing is REAL to you.