It’s been a big week for gifted Newcastle award-winning singer/songwriter and First Nations performer Jacob Ridgeway.
Firstly, the proud Worimi and Gamilaroi man had to deal with the passing of beloved Archie Roach; he was then on hand to be the face of This Land at the launch of New Annual 2022 at the Civic Theatre; and, on Friday, he’ll re-release his debut single Bullyman.
The born-and-based Novocastrian admitted the loss of the Aussie music icon had hit him hard at the weekend.
“I first got to perform on the same bill as Uncle Archie, in 2017, at an event at the University of Newcastle,” he said.
“But, in 2018, I provided the leading tenor vocal for the choir, which backed him at the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.
“There were so many incredible performers on that stage like The Veronicas, Guy Sebastian, Katie Noonan – it was a who’s who of Australian talent.
“However, that time was about Uncle Archie.
“To me, he was the star.
“And, to be honest, I don’t get the opportunity to stand on stages like that with him without people like Uncle Archie laying the platform.”
Ridgeway, the oldest of six children, credits the influential dose of 90’s/00’s country and hip-hop/RnB that his mum would sing to him to provide a soundtrack to his uniquely inspired sound and storytelling.
It’s opened doors for his vocal versatility and writing as he began his steady rise as an artist.
“I taped over my parent’s wedding video to watch Rage when I was three,” he said.
“Then I hustled burnt mixtapes out of my school bag in my free time for spending money.
“I was kicked out of my high school music class and didn’t think about singing let alone a career in music for another 10 years.
“But, I didn’t want to be that small-town shoulda’, woulda’, coulda’ pub yarn.
“My late teens to early 20s had some intense moments that really tested me mentally.
“I finally felt empowered enough to leave everything I had ever known to become everything I have ever wanted to be.”
Ridgeway’s breakout performance came in 2014 when he was selected to sing My Island Home with the backing of the QPAC Choir and William Barton for the climax of the G20 Summit opening.
Opportunities grew over time as he paved his cross-genre path performing, opening or collaborating with such artists as Jessica Mauboy, Troy Cassar-Daley, Ash Grunwald, The Last Kinection, Catherine Britt, Shannon Noll, James and John Morrison, Emily Wurramara, Urthboy, Mitch Tambo, Sally Walker, Sally Whitwell, Buddy Knox, Microwave Jenny, DOBBY, John Paul Young, Kevin Bennett, Thirsty Merc, Damien Leith, Roach, Sebastian and The Veronicas.
For good measure, he’s also continually made room to improve by being a graduate of the Aboriginal Centre of Performing Arts (2014-2016), The Academy of Country Music (2016) and the University of Newcastle (Bachelor of Music – Distinction & Master of Creative Industries – Distinction).
“Music gives a definition to who we are,” he said.
“I love being able to share that and a piece of who I am with others.
“Music and writing give me a safe space to emote or share experiences or observations that surround my life.”
It is also one of the reasons he’s delighted to be involved with This Land when New Annual 2022 returns to the City of Newcastle in September and October.
The musical showcase will highlight a handful of acclaimed First Nations artists – including Ridgeway, Tasman Keith, The Last Connection, YNG Martyr, Cloe Terare, Loren Ryan, Jimblah, Mr Rhodes and MC Andy Saunders – who are shaping the voices of the next generation.
“It’s a celebration of the sound, soul and spirit of the many nations in this country,” he said.
“I’ve been a part of every alliteration of This Land from when it started at the University of Newcastle.
“And, over time, it’s grown from our collaboration and immersion of classical sound, traditional instrumentation, voice and movement.
“So, to hear it’s moving to a contemporary space – and still showcase First Nations artists and their stories – on a scale like this (New Annual), it’s going to be special.
“I have performed everywhere over the past nine years, however rarely at ‘home’.
“The Civic Theatre boasts history, so many amazing people have appeared before me – it is an honour.
“It’s always a significant moment to stand here, and perform, at home, too.”
Ridgeway originally released his National Indigenous Story Award-winning single Bullyman in July 2019, which charted on the iTunes Alternative Chart (#8), iTunes All Genres Chart (#69) and the 2021 (#53) and 2022 (#15) Triple A Original 100 Countdown.
It’s been used in schools in his local area and around Australia, as well, in the curriculum to assist in students’ education.
The track opens with a cinematic prelude transitioning with a Yidaki (didgeridoo) and toy piano that builds with sweet choral harmonies and traditional percussive elements (clapsticks, Kulap – Torres Strait Islander Shakers, Warup – Torres Strait Islander Drum) to lure you into a false sense of security.
Ridgeway’s solemn yet soulful vocals then sweep the listener away.
“The haunting lullaby is character-driven from transitional moments in a woman’s life from a small child to a mother herself, while being fed lies and a false sense of security from the Bullyman (Government Official),” he said.
“As the story progresses with her exposure to the world and education, she realises the protection that she was told was never real (White Protection Act/Policy) and will protect her children at all costs.
“With the pandemic putting a halt on the momentum built, it was a good time to re-evaluate my life and what I wanted from music long term.
“The reinvention of a project for a live show we did in late 2020 weirdly enough allowed space for innovation with the music we make and how we play.
“Now, Bullyman’s been reimagined.”
No matter what the future holds for Ridgeway, he remains humble about those from the past who set the platform for Indigenous performers like himself.
“There have been so many good Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists,” he told the Newcastle Weekly.
“Go back to Uncle Jimmy Little, William Barton, The Warumpi Band and Yothu Yindi, for example – the list is endless; and they were doing it for a long time.
“However, a lot of them didn’t have the mainstream exposure afforded to us [today].
“Sadly, some weren’t even allowed to perform at several venues.
“The fact I get to stand here and be able to do this, as freely as I can, that’s huge.
“I don’t underestimate the work they’ve done either.
“So, appearing at New Annual, courtesy of City of Newcastle, is a great way to honour Uncle Archie and all the artists who came before us.
“Being a local, and to the Elders who laid the platform for me to be here at a space like this, it’s big.
“It is sad we’ve had to deal with the passing of Uncle Archie the past few days.
“But, at the same time, it’s so beautiful to hear everyone’s individual stories of him – there’s clearly a lot of respect.
“I don’t say this lightly, however we’re (within the arts industry) on the shoulders of giants.
“Uncle Archie was one of those.
“He may be gone, but he’ll never be forgotten.”
Keep up to date with Jacob Ridgeway at https://www.instagram.com/jacobridgeway/?hl=en, https://linktr.ee/jacobridgeway and https://twitter.com/jacobridgeway3
NEW ANNUAL PROGRAM PREVIEW
VAN GOGH ALIVE
- The immersive, multi-sensory experience of Van Gogh Alive will held at Newcastle’s premier major events space, Foreshore Park. It will be presented in a specially designed 2,300-square-metre gallery known as The Grand Pavilion. Van Gogh will remain in Newcastle for six weeks, extending beyond the New Annual Festival to 23 October. General public tickets for Van Gogh Alive will go on sale from 4 August.
THIS LAND
- Unite with friends and family to celebrate the return of This Land, a First Nations celebration of the sound, soul, and spirit of the many nations in this country. The musical showcase will highlight a handful of award-winning and acclaimed First Nations music artists who are shaping the voices of the next generation.
RADIAL
- A fusion of film-making and improvised community performance, Radial is a collaborative process designed to capture a portrait of a community in motion. A partnership between City of Newcastle, Tantrum Youth Arts and Back to Back Theatre, Radial will be filmed at several Newcastle locations during New Annual using a special circular camera track, culminating in a public screening on the final day of the festival at the Civic Theatre.
CREATION
- CREATION is a major exhibition of artist Deborah Kelly’s work at The Lock Up accompanied by a series of free public workshops in costume-making, song, and dance. Working with local artists, choirs, and dancers, the workshops lead to a spectacular procession and concert at the City Hall showcasing the songs of CREATION.
COLOSSUS
- A contemporary dance performance created by internationally renowned Australian choreographer Stephanie Lake. The exhilarating performance features riveting, and hypnotic dance work performed by Sydney Dance Company’s pre-professional and local dance artists, which explores relationships between the individual and the collective, with a cast of 50 performing as one on the Civic Theatre stage
PAVILION OF SAND
- Pavilion of Sand will return with an architecturally designed, modern art installation reflecting Newcastle’s historic sand dune topography. The Pavilion of Sand will transform Wheeler Place into a visually spectacular space that will connect the city to the Awabakal and Worimi cultures with a range of First Nations-led programming including music, weaving, workshops, conversation, dance and reflection.
TITAN ARUM
- Justin Shoulder’s Titan Arum ignites your imagination with this exotic performance in a landscape both familiar and alien. A sensory ceremony of dance, light and sound in a communal garden with hanging fruits and carnivorous plants, the immersive installation work will be activated with live performances throughout the festival at 164 Hunter Street.
EX MACHINA
- Hailed as one of Australia’s most exciting and forward-thinking ensembles, Omega Ensemble performs a thrilling program of complex and driving music from important contemporary voices including Bryce Dessner, Missy Mazzoli, Alex Turley, and with two exciting world premieres from Nico Muhly and Christopher Cerrone. This special presentation departs from the traditional concert hall and arrives at Newcastle Museum for a stellar performance in front of the prized 150-year-old steam locomotive.
MENAGERIE
- Menagerie is a new, interactive community performance from Curious Legends. Across four workshops, festival-goers of all ages will help create a large-scale giant illuminated puppet, culminating in a community celebration on the last day of the festival. Participants of ‘Well’, a separate event on the program aimed at children aged 6-11, will also work on a cumulative artwork that will form part of Menagerie’s Gentle Giant.