Meet Cat Ridgeway: Orlando’s powerhouse with a heart for music and coffee
If you’ve ever been to a Cat Ridgeway show, you already know there’s something electric about her. The Orlando-based singer-songwriter has a rare ability to make you feel like you’re part of something bigger – something full of energy, passion, and raw creativity. But describing Cat is not easy. She’s a true anomaly, blending indie-rock, punk, dream pop, and folk in ways that are uniquely hers. And on top of all that, she’s a self-taught multi-instrumentalist with an undeniable love for music, life, and – of course – coffee.
A multi-talented musician like no other
One of the things that stands out about Cat is her versatility as a musician. She’s not just a singer and songwriter – she plays multiple instruments, often at the same time. Cat can truly do it all. At times, she even loops three instruments at once, creating complex, layered sounds that are nothing short of mesmerizing.
Her love for music is clear, and she brings that same energy and enthusiasm into everything she does. Whether it’s composing a new track or rocking out on stage, Cat’s passion is contagious. But what makes her even more fascinating is her experience as an audio/visual synesthete – her brain’s cross-wired sensory pathways allow her to see colors, shapes, and textures when she hears or plays music. This adds an extra layer of intensity to her already vibrant creative process, and it’s one of the many things that makes her music feel so alive.
The tourists: A live show like no other
When Cat Ridgeway hits the stage, you can expect anything – and everything. With her ever-changing band, The Tourists, every live show becomes a thrilling, unpredictable party. It’s not unusual to see band members switch instruments mid-song, or to watch Cat jump behind the drums as the crowd gets swept into a mosh pit. The energy is palpable, and every performance feels fresh and exciting.
As Cat herself puts it: “Expect the unexpected.” If you’ve been lucky enough to see them live, you know that this isn’t just talk – it’s a promise.
New Album: Sprinter – A journey through life, death, and resilience
Cat Ridgeway’s upcoming album, Sprinter, is her most ambitious project to date. After years of navigating personal loss, mental health struggles, and the fragility of human existence, Cat has created an album that feels like a reckoning – a deep dive into the dualities of life and death, and the resilience that helps us keep moving forward.
The creation of Sprinter came about in a “serendipitous” way. Cat was at a Kishi Bashi show on New Year’s Eve in 2023 when she experienced a moment of musical epiphany. Watching Mike Savino (Kishi Bashi, Tall Tall Trees) perform, she knew right away that he was the person she needed to work with on this project. After reaching out to him on Instagram, they connected, and Savino invited her to his studio in Asheville, NC, to record the album.
Together, they co-produced and played multiple instruments on the album, which also features all-star musicians like Claude Coleman Jr. and Josiah Wolf on drums, Adam Schatz on sax, and even Cat’s dad on djembe. The result is a record filled with heart, soul, and a wide range of musical textures.
Songs that speak to the soul
At the heart of Sprinter is Cat’s unique ability to mix introspection with a sense of humor. The album’s 12 tracks reflect her journey through grief, self-discovery, and emotional healing, with moments of poignancy and playfulness.
The title track, “Sprinter,” was inspired by a close friend of Cat’s who lost her battle with mental health. Cat describes how her friend, a runner, metaphorically “ran” from her problems, and how, in writing the song, Cat realized she was doing the same thing. “I was running straight into everything I’d been avoiding processing,” Cat explains. “Sprinter” became a symbol of her journey to face those challenges head-on.
Other standout tracks include “Epilogue,” a punk-infused anthem about Cat’s relationship with religion and death, and “Cursive,” a tender song about learning to appreciate a love that’s patient and steady. One of the album’s most personal songs, “Cursive” also holds a special memory for Cat, as it was the first track she and Mike Savino worked on together in the studio. The song’s ethereal opening was created using a banjola and serves as a reminder of the deep creative bond the two share.
In “Look Ma, No Plans!,” Cat presents a synth-driven anthem that critiques the idea of the American Dream, while “Restless Leg Syndrome” explores how travel and constant movement bring peace to Cat’s mind. The song even features a special guest appearance by her dad on djembe, adding a personal touch to an already heartfelt track.
A journey through music and life
Cat’s path to Sprinter has been filled with notable milestones and accomplishments. In 2016, indie rock duo Tegan and Sara personally selected Cat as the winner of their worldwide cover contest for the song “Stop Desire.” Her self-recorded cover, where she played five instruments, caught their attention and earned her a spot in the spotlight.
In 2020, she released her debut album Nice to Meet You, which quickly garnered attention from radio stations. The single “Giving You Up” was a breakout hit, landing on the Americana charts and catching the ear of hit songwriter Shawn Mullins. Since then, Cat has played alongside musical legends like Lucy Dacus, Sylvan Esso, Houndmouth, and Arcade Fire, and has graced the stages of major festivals like the 30A Songwriters Festival and Okeechobee Music and Arts Fest.
With Sprinter, Cat is poised to take her career to new heights, and her mission remains the same: to create a welcoming community for her fans and to encourage people to embrace the scenic route of life.
“Sometimes you take a turn, and the road gets sketchy, or you realize you need to turn around, but there’s always something to be gained from taking that path. And usually, you get a good story or joke out of whatever happened.”
Beyond music: Jitter Coffee Roasters
As if her music career wasn’t already impressive enough, Cat also runs her own coffee roasting business, Jitter Coffee Roasters. Her love for coffee is as deep as her passion for music, and she’s known to brew up a cup while chatting with fans about the intricacies of beans, sourcing, and roasting. If you get the chance to see her live, don’t forget to grab a bag of her signature roast and enjoy a conversation about life and music – coffee in hand, of course.
Final thoughts
Cat Ridgeway is an artist who defies expectations. From her musical talents to her creative vision, she’s a force to be reckoned with. And with Sprinter, she’s ready to show the world just what she’s capable of. Whether you’re a fan of indie rock, folk, or anything in between, Cat’s music will speak to you in a way that only she can. Keep an eye on her – she’s just getting started.