BIO

You can’t help but be excited when talking about Orlando singer songwriter Cat Ridgeway.  Her infectious energy and contagious enthusiasm in everything she creates is electric, while her passion and commitment to her music radiate through her fiery blend of indie-rock and punk with hints of dream pop and folk.  A skilled lyricist and melodist, Ridgeway is a self-taught multi-instrumentalist who can play guitar, harmonica, trumpet, trombone, drums, piano, mandolin, and bass - sometimes playing three instruments at once! 

Ridgeway, along with the revolving members of her touring band, The Tourists, create a sweaty, energetic, exciting party with each live show. It’s not uncommon to see them play musical chairs as they switch places and instruments on stage. Expect the unexpected. With Sprinter, Ridgeway’s upcoming 2025 album release, she draws the listener in as she strives to understand life’s trials and emerge with a better sense of perspective and self. Ridgeway, along with Mike Savino (Kishi Bashi, Tall Tall Trees), played multiple instruments on the album. Mastered by Joe LaPorta (David Bowie, Foo Fighters) and mixed by Dan Molad of Lucius and Coco (JD McPherson, Here We Go Magic), Sprinter features all-star players including Claude Coleman, Jr. (Ween) and Josiah Wolf (WHY?) on drums, and Adam Schatz (Sylvan Esso, Japanese Breakfast) on sax, among others.  

Her first single “Epilogue,” is a stomp and holler-esque punk rock explosion hinging off a recklessly played, overdriven banjo.  Named Orlando’s “Best Singer-Songwriter” three years running and “Best Rock Act” twice by Orlando Weekly, Ridgeway has played many notable stages and festivals (30A Songwriters Festival, Okeechobee Music and Arts Fest, and House of Blues Orlando), supporting and sharing bills with acts like Lucy Dacus, Sylvan Esso, Houndmouth, and Arcade Fire, among others. With Sprinter, Ridgeway is poised to catapult herself onto the national stage.

ENDORSED BY GOLD TONE MUSIC GROUP & S.I.T. STRINGS

MEDIA

PRESS

"Cat, your voice is amazing..." - Tegan and Sara

“Occasionally [helping an up-and-coming artist] happens. It hasn’t happened in a long time... you know I gave John Mayer’s demos to Columbia Records back in the day... when you see something and you hear something that’s really great, it’s just part of your duty to pass it along to the people that need to hear it - and especially when people are nice...she’s totally got it going on, and she’s just a phenomenal singer/songwriter and guitar player and horn player...” - Shawn Mullins

"AAA needed Cat Ridgeway like old ski bums need AC/DC and led Zeppelin driving to the slopes on a powder day. Love it. Susan Tedeschi and Rachel Price with more gusto". - TJ Sanders, KYSL

“To my untrained ears, she sounds like someone we all know locally now but it’s just a matter of time before she breaks nationwide.” - Deborah Roberts, Real Radio 104.1

“I gotta tell you, man, [Cat Ridgeway is] an exciting artist from Orlando, Florida… we don’t get many of those. It’s been years since somebody had original music that we loved in Orlando. You have to pay attention to this artist. Amazing melodies, great, sweet vocals, and incredible arrangements all throughout the record [“Nice to Meet You’] - that’s why you’ve gotta get it…” - Jim Colbert, Real Radio 104.1

"[She] taps into the tradition of American songwriting..." - Matthew Peddie, NPR

"...a bubbly, engaging performer from any stage she plays on...both the covers and catchy originals grabbed the attention of everyone who might have been trying to just pass by, compelling them to settle in for her showcase." - Kat Coffin, National Indie Music Examiner