Cat Ridgeway doesn’t just play music; she inhabits it with a "powerhouse voice and fiery stage presence". Returning to the 30A Songwriters Festival, an event she considers a "second home," Ridgeway sat down with Jason English to discuss a career-defining year marked by a shift toward radical vulnerability. Known for her work with her band, The Tourists, Ridgeway has built a reputation for funk-infused rock, but her upcoming 12-track record signals a deeper, more contemplative evolution.

For years, Ridgeway’s artistic motto was to provide a "means of escape". However, her new work prioritizes "substance" and "contemplative" lyricism. She credits her producer, Tall Tall Trees (Mike Savino), for pushing her past surface-level writing. Nowhere is this more evident than in her single "Sprinter," a "bouncy" yet "weighty" track written for a friend lost to mental health struggles. Ridgeway reflects on the profound community response, stating, "I just never expected for people to respond like they have... it’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever experienced".

The album balances "sweet and sour" flavors, blending serious themes with unexpected instrumentation. The track "Blessed Be the Beast" tackles grief following a high school friend’s fatal car accident. Ridgeway spent months refining the lyrics to capture a "weirdly poetic moment" from a Spanish class following the tragedy. Conversely, "Cursive" offers a rare "hopeful love song" delivered as a "power ballad" composed entirely of banjos.

While she dreams of reaching "Phoebe Bridgers" levels of indie-alt success, Ridgeway remains indifferent to notoriety. Her goal is simple: "In order for art to help people, people have to hear it". To sustain this mission, she prioritizes a "work-life balance" that includes residencies in Vail, Colorado, where she "chases the powder" on her snowboard to reset her creative clock.