HIP HOP artist Paul Ridge, aka Drapht, came very close to walking away from music altogether a year ago. Ridge was sick of dealing with profit-driven people telling him what to write and when to write it. Gruelling tours had worn him down, and he resented playing songs like Bali Party to crowds who sometimes seemed like "seas of zombies". His passion had been stripped away by music becoming his full- time job. "It had reached a point where I just f---ing hated it," the Perth- based artist said. Ridge decided to take some time out. For much of the past year, his energies have been concentrated on running an organic eatery in his home town. Ridge said opening Solomon's Cafe has helped him clear his head and find better balance. "It's taken my head straight out of the music game," he said. "I've basically just told everyone to f--- off and let me have my peace." Ridge has continued penning tracks on his days off, and said writing has returned to the creative outlet and venting process it was when he was starting out. "I'm absolutely stoked that the passion I had as a kid has come back," he said. "I'm now writing what I think is my best stuff, and I can't wait to start doing shows again and releasing some new music." Ridge said he was undecided whether the new record will be released under the handle Drapht or something completely different. "I've been known as Drapht since I was 15 years old, but now when people call me that it sort of feels a bit awkward," he said. "For a lot of years it was more who I was than my real name. That's not the case anymore, and it feels like the name is the only thing holding me back in the past a little bit." Live gigs are rare as hens teeth for Ridge at the moment, as he concentrates on running the cafe and producing his album. After not performing live for six months, Ridge said he was itching to take to the stage at Breath of Life. He said Tasmanian gigs have always been among the highlights of his year. "The people are so responsive and passionate - regardless of how long its been between records," Ridge said."I'm busting to get back to Tassie and can't wait to play alongside Mackelmore and Pez."
PUMPED: Aussie hip-hop artist Paul Ridge, aka Drapht, is booked to perform at next month's Breath of Life Festival. WHAT: Drapht at Breath of Life festival. WHEN: Saturday, March 8. WHERE: Inveresk Park, Launceston. TICKETS: Start from $140. Head to www.breathoflifefestival.com
HIP HOP artist Paul Ridge, aka Drapht, came very close to walking away from music altogether a year ago.
Ridge was sick of dealing with profit-driven people telling him what to write and when to write it.
Gruelling tours had worn him down, and he resented playing songs like Bali Party to crowds who sometimes seemed like "seas of zombies".
His passion had been stripped away by music becoming his full- time job.
"It had reached a point where I just f---ing hated it," the Perth- based artist said.
Ridge decided to take some time out.
For much of the past year, his energies have been concentrated on running an organic eatery in his home town.
Ridge said opening Solomon's Cafe has helped him clear his head and find better balance.
"It's taken my head straight out of the music game," he said.
"I've basically just told everyone to f--- off and let me have my peace."
Ridge has continued penning tracks on his days off, and said writing has returned to the creative outlet and venting process it was when he was starting out.
"I'm absolutely stoked that the passion I had as a kid has come back," he said.
"I'm now writing what I think is my best stuff, and I can't wait to start doing shows again and releasing some new music."
Ridge said he was undecided whether the new record will be released under the handle Drapht or something completely different.
"I've been known as Drapht since I was 15 years old, but now when people call me that it sort of feels a bit awkward," he said.
"For a lot of years it was more who I was than my real name. That's not the case anymore, and it feels like the name is the only thing holding me back in the past a little bit."
Live gigs are rare as hens teeth for Ridge at the moment, as he concentrates on running the cafe and producing his album.
After not performing live for six months, Ridge said he was itching to take to the stage at Breath of Life. He said Tasmanian gigs have always been among the highlights of his year.
"The people are so responsive and passionate - regardless of how long its been between records," Ridge said."I'm busting to get back to Tassie and can't wait to play alongside Mackelmore and Pez."
