“Sprinter,” the title track of Cat Ridgeway’s latest album, isn’t just one of the best pop-rock singles of the year. The infectious track is deep. The clever tune, which has an Angel Olsen/Bethany Cosentino vibe, is as meaningful as it’s infectious.

One of Ridgeway’s close pals, who was a collegiate track star, inspired the moving cut. “My good friend would just run and run and try to hit PRs (personal records) every day,” Ridgeway said while calling from her Orlando home. “She was a perfectionist. Nothing was ever good enough for her. One day she took her own life and I was like, ‘What?’ We, all of her friends, were so shocked. We never would have guessed that would have happened to her. How could none of us see it coming? The signs were there.”

“Sprinter” is one of the best songs about runners, right up there with Belle & Sebastian’s sublime, “The Stars of Track and Field.”

But the album is much more than its single. Ridgeway takes listeners to different places, but the album has a common thread, which is mortality. That’s an uncommon subject for a vibrant, 29-year-old singer-songwriter, who was a ball of energy during an interview.

“I was hospitalized twice,” Ridgeway said. “I had mono. I had a colonoscopy and they found pre-cancer (cells) and that set me into a tailspin. Our family has had a series of losses and issues with addiction. I was in the studio when my uncle passed away. So much has been going on.”

But Ridgeway, who will perform Saturday, Aug. 16, at the Groundworks, is still impacted by childhood trauma and those memories influenced her “Sprinter” songwriting period. “When I was 8 years old I was attacked by a dog and I almost died,” Ridgeway said. “All of that stuff stays with you. I worked a lot out with this album, and it really helps that the record is done and out. When I sing the lyrics, it hits me that I’m not in that place anymore. This is an album of resilience.”

After dealing with life’s many obstacles, Ridgeway is thinking big picture while playing the Elaine Stritch classic, “Are You Having Any Fun?” 

“I love that song,” Ridgeway said. 

“That song is still resonant. When you look at that song and life, if we’re not having fun, then what are we doing? When you look at the world and God is love, if that’s so, isn’t love joy?”

Deep thoughts for a twentysomething, but it’s not surprising for a well-read, inquisitive musician, who was like that going back to her childhood in balmy Florida. It was evident that Ridgeway, who plays an array of instruments from guitar, bass, drums, piano and banjo, was a musical prodigy from an early age. 

“Going to a private Catholic school, I was in a much smaller pool of kids than in your average school,” Ridgeway said. “My band instructor saw I had an inclination toward music and that I really enjoyed it, so he let me play different instruments. If we didn’t have a trombone player, I played the trombone. If we didn’t have a drummer, I played the drums. I got to play the piano and became this jack of all trades. It was great getting this bird’s eye view. I learned about arranging music. I saw how a bass line works with a counter melody and how that works with the lead line of a trumpet.”

Ridgeway was destined to be a musician and was supported by her parents. She and her mother and father are still so close that Ridgeway not only lives at home but planned to hit the beach with her folks after the interview.

“I appreciate all that my parents have given me,” Ridgeway said. “They’ve given me so much confidence, which is something every kid needs.”

Ridgeway is amusing during interviews and engaging when she performs with her band. “I absolutely love going out there with my band,” Ridgeway said. “We have so much fun when we perform. This is the first time we’ve ever gone out on a proper headlining tour. We’ve always been a support act and it’s been great going out on our own this time.”

“Sprinter” is Ridgeway’s first album in five years. “I wrote songs during the pandemic and took my time with this album,” Ridgeway said. “There was no reason to rush. It all worked out and I’m on this tour and we’re all having a blast. I really can’t ask for anything more.” 

Mineral King and Cat Ridgeway w/Lizzie
WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16
WHERE:  Groundworks, 2919 E. Grant Road, Tucson
PRICE: Tickets start at $10
INFO: groundworkstucson.com

This article appears in Jul 31 – Aug 7, 2025.