Orlando-based singer-songwriter Cat Ridgeway is a force of nature whose live performances—marked by a "thunderous" use of looping machines—have earned her comparisons to a "choir of angels". Known for her Americana chart success with "Giving You Up" and collaborations with Shawn Mullins, Ridgeway joined Curious Goldfish to discuss the resilience required to thrive in the modern "hustle" of the music industry.

Ridgeway’s dedication to her craft was tested during a grueling winter residency in Vail, Colorado. Performing four to six hours a night, five days a week in high altitude, she had to fundamentally reconstruct her vocal technique. She describes this period as a transformative "vocal 10,000 hours" that occurred in a single season, proving that her infectious happiness is backed by a professional grit that "punches you in the gut".

A firm believer in the law of attraction, Ridgeway’s career is a testament to weird coincidences and deep connections. The most pivotal was a ten-year-old business card from Dennis McNally, the former publicist for the Grateful Dead. After a decade, McNally remembered Ridgeway’s talent and returned to the industry specifically to help work her record, becoming what she calls the "godfather" of her career.

Ridgeway’s forthcoming album, co-produced by Mike Savino (Tall Tall Trees), marks a shift from "sunny" escapism to raw vulnerability. Written during a three-year period involving a difficult breakup, chronic illness, and a pre-cancer scare, the record features her "strongest lyricism" to date. She describes her songwriting process as an "audio mandala"—a spontaneous, ever-changing exploration of self-expression