I’m Not Coming Home

I'm Not Coming Home

I'm Not Coming Home (Feat. Mr Rhodes)

I’m Not Coming Home (FOX CONTROL Remix)

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Written by Jacob Ridgeway, Kevin Bennett. Produced and Mixed by Gareth Hudson at Hazy Cosmic Jive Studio. Mastered by Leon Zervos at Studio 301.

Bullyman is the debut single from Newcastle vocalist Jacob Ridgeway, due to be released independently in July 2019.

Bullyman gives a nod to Jacob’s Worimi and Gamilaroi Indigenous heritage whilst utilising a chamber choir to juxtapose the contemporary arrangement of a modern story of hurt to an ancient people. The track opens 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 in to a false sense of security. Jacob’s solemn yet soulful vocals then sweep the listener away.

You’ll be lucky to hide or even run; but you’re protected from this slum //

Your brothers and your sisters are somewhere else; To protect you from yourself //

I missed my childhood, I never had a chance to feel; ‘Cause your protection was never real //

The track was co-written with Kevin Bennett during the 2017 DAG Sheep Station Writers Retreat. The gloomy lyrics describe a journey inspired by one of Jacob’s female elders in his community and her story through personal experiences through Stolen Generation. This story is character driven from transitional moments in her life from small child, young woman to a mother herself all whilst being fed lies and a false sense of security from the Bullyman (Government Official). 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.

Bullyman provides a contemporary pop and world fusion of soulful vocals, with country inspired storytelling unique to Jacob’s artistry and provides insight into his future release.

Credits:
Lead Vocal - Jacob Ridgeway
Songwriters - Jacob Ridgeway, Kevin Bennett
Producer, Bass - Gareth Hudson
Percussion - Adam Manning
Yidaki (Didgeridoo) - Raymond ‘Bud’ Kelly
Toy Piano - Caleb Toogood
Choir - Jacob Ridgeway, Komiti Levai, Crocqhenri Lucero, Gerda Temple, Bernadette Matthias, Eden Dennis, Imogen Bilinsky

Bullyman - Single

Bullyman

I’m Not Coming Home is the second single from Newcastle vocalist Jacob Ridgeway, following from the release of his award winning debut single ‘Bullyman’ which was released to acclaim in July 2019.

I’m Not Coming Home gives a subtle nod to Jacob’s Indigenous heritage while still remaining contemporary and fresh with an electronic blues feel. Jacob’s raspy yet soulful vocals then sweep the listener away.

I wasn't raised this way, I should've known better//

Caught in the crossfire of love//

I'm not coming home//

The track was co-written with Ryan Cornish during the 2017 DAG Sheep Station Writers Retreat. The brooding lyrics describe a journey of straying from one's self whilst blending the tragic demise of late songstress Amy Winehouse through her point of view. Lyrics are derived from the co-writers own trials, tribulations & perceptions of the documentary 'Amy'.

I’m Not Coming Home provides a contemporary pop/electronic fusion of soulful vocals, with country inspired storytelling unique to Jacob’s artistry and provides further insight to what we can expect from him in the future.

Written by Jacob Ridgeway, Ryan Cornish. 
Produced by Jacob Ridgeway, Caleb Toogood. 
Mixed by Caleb Toogood & Ryan Huthnance. 
Additional Tracking by Gareth Hudson at Hazy Cosmic Jive Studio. 
Keys, Synth, Drum Programming by Caleb Toogood. 
Drums & Additional Percussion by Adam Manning. 
Lead Guitar by Ryan Huthnance. 
Backing Vocals by Komiti Levai & Megan Galloway. 
Mastered by Ryan Huthnance at Emissary Studios. 
Artwork by Jakeob Watson; Digitalised by Kinchela Graphics

I'm Not Coming Home - Single

Born and based in Newcastle and the oldest of 6, Jacob Ridgeway spent part of his childhood in his mother’s hometown of Dubbo before the family relocated back to his father’s home area of Port Stephens.

Award-winning singer/songwriter/performing artist and proud First Nations Worimi and Gamilaroi man, Jacob 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. This soundtrack of life opened doors for Jacob's vocal versatility and writing as he began his steady rise as a performing artist.

“I taped over my parent's wedding video to watch Rage when I was 3; 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. I didn’t want to be that small-town shoulda', woulda', coulda' pub yarn. I finally felt empowered enough to leave everything I had ever known to become everything I have ever wanted to be.”
 
Jacob’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 Jacob 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 & 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, Archie Roach, Guy Sebastian, Emma Donovan, The Veronicas.  

Jacob has performed at events such as QLD Music Festival, Jazz on the Green, X-Factor 2015, NRL All-Stars & Indigenous Rounds, 2018 Bleach Festival, 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Ceremonies, 2018 UON International Choral Tour in Canada, 2018 RUOK? 'Conversation Convoy', as well as various community events around the country.

“Music gives a definition to who we are. 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”
	 
Jacob released his National Indigenous Story Award-winning debut single 'Bullyman' in July 2019 which has charted on the iTunes Alternative Chart (#8) and the iTunes All Genres Chart (#69). ‘Bullyman’ also charted on the 2021 (#53) and 2022 (#15) Triple A Original 100 Countdown. ‘Bullyman’ has also been used in schools in his local area and around Australia in the school curriculum to assist in students’ education.

'I'm Not Coming Home' was released in February 2020, charted on the iTunes Alternative Chart (#22) and the iTunes All Genres Chart (#122). The brooding lyrics describe a journey of straying from one’s self while blending a demise derived from Jacob and his co-writer's own trials and tribulations. 'I'm Not Coming Home' also charted on the 2022 (#13) Triple A Original 100 Countdown.

In between all this, Jacob has continually made room to improve by being a graduate of the Aboriginal Centre of Performing Arts (2014-2016), The Academy of Country Music (2016) & The University of Newcastle (Bachelor of Music - Distinction & Master of Creative Industries - Distinction).

Jacob has used the pandemic break to work on new music for release in 2022, inspired by his love of RnB melody, country storytelling and Hip-Hop production.

Jacob Ridgeway

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