Cat Ridgeway releases emotional new single “Sprinter”
Orlando’s celebrated indie rock musician, Cat Ridgeway, has recently released her emotionally charged new single, “Sprinter,” which helped her navigate and process the unexpected loss of a close friend due to mental health struggles. In the music video, the protagonist Sprinter is depicted as striving to achieve a specific time goal in her relentless pursuit of speed, while the other aspects of her life crumble around her.
Reflecting on her personal loss, Ridgeway shares, “I lost a friend to her mental health battle a few years ago, which was a profound shock to me and everyone in her circle. Mental health challenges are often dismissed as inconveniences, problems to be ignored, concealed, or not given due seriousness. The loss of someone to such struggles usually catches us off guard. In my grief, I turned to songwriting as a form of catharsis. I found a fitting metaphor in the idea of the ‘check engine light’ in a car that requires attention – we tend to ignore it, keep driving, and hope it goes away. Similarly, we often fail to recognize the distress signals in the people around us. I hope this song serves as a reminder to care for and check in on one another – everyone deserves to be seen and heard.”
Guided by the insights and expertise of friend and mentor, Livingston Taylor, Ridgeway refined the lyrics of the song, describing it as one of the most powerful and poignant pieces she has created thus far. Scheduled for release on March 28 via CEN/The Orchard, Ridgeway’s upcoming album, “Sprinter,” promises to be a departure from her previous Americana sound, offering a fiery blend of indie rock, punk, dream pop, and folk influences. She and collaborator Mike Savino performed on multiple instruments while industry stalwarts like Joe LaPorta and Dan Molad handled the mastering and mixing, respectively. The album will showcase appearances from talented musicians such as Claude Coleman, Jr., Josiah Wolf, and Adam Schatz, to name a few.
With her music described as “indie rock for overthinkers,” Cat Ridgeway’s “Sprinter” delves into the themes of loss, resilience, and the importance of mutual care within the community. Through her expressive lyrics and evocative melodies, Ridgeway’s latest single stands as a testament to the transformative power of music in processing grief and navigating life’s unexpected challenges.