Mutual friends set the stage for a chance meeting
About eight years ago, mutual friends connected musician Jack Ceriani with Rebecca 'Darl' Ritchie, thinking they would be a good match. They spoke on the phone but had not met in person. Ceriani lived in Busselton, Western Australia, while Ritchie lived about 30 minutes away.
On St Patrick's Day, Ceriani and his mates invited friends to their share house, the Star hotel, which had a bachelor pad vibe with a bar setup. Ceriani made poor mojitos, but when Ritchie arrived, the drinks improved significantly because she knew what she was doing behind the bar.
Honesty and capability sealed the attraction
Ceriani says Ritchie ticked all the boxes, but what he liked most was her honesty. She was easy to talk to and capable—the sort of person who would get in and do things rather than talk about them. Her real name is Bec, but Ceriani called her 'Darl' from the start as a pet name; eventually all his mates used it too.
The attraction was mutual, but Ceriani eased into things because Ritchie had a young daughter, Arrebella, then about eight. Some nights he would make them dinner and leave the two girls alone, not wanting to rush in. The early years were wholesome: cooking, gardening, and playing music. About a year in, they moved into a place of their own.
Ritchie's support became crucial when Ceriani's eye ruptured
Ceriani has keratoconus, an eye condition where the cornea thins and bulges over time, distorting vision. Technology is not his strong suit, so Ritchie handles online tasks and drives him to most gigs. Four years ago she began helping with his music career. About two years ago, they went to Perth to record his album Tone River.
On the day he was meant to go into the studio, Ceriani woke up at 4am unable to see out of his right eye. He knew immediately what had happened: his left eye had ruptured years earlier, damaging peripheral vision. This time the rupture was in the middle of his right eye. His vision was cloudy, like looking through shower glass, and the pain was excruciating—radiating into his head and shoulders, with his temple feeling like it was on fire.
Ritchie's calm presence helped Ceriani decide to record despite the injury
Ritchie got up with Ceriani and made him coffee while he processed what happened. When they called his specialist, there was little that could be done beyond pain relief because his condition is so advanced. Ceriani has had to learn to live with what he has lost. He found it scary, but Ritchie had been there during his left eye rupture too, so they talked about how he got through that: slowing down, doing things differently, and working out new techniques. Ceriani says he was lucky she was there.
Despite the injury, Ceriani did not feel he could walk into a studio and record an album. But they had five people organised and had already spent thousands of dollars. Ritchie talked him into it, offering to help with anything and saying there was no better place than with friends playing music.
The recording session became a turning point
When they arrived at the studio, the band saw his eye patch and knew he needed them. Ceriani recalls there were tears—he stood with his friends but could not properly see their faces, which was hard. But once they started playing, something shifted. He usually plays with his eyes closed anyway. The pain was still there, but it would have hurt just as much sitting at home thinking about it.
At lunchtime, Ceriani said, 'Get us a 10-pack,' and whisky came out too. They had good laughs and somehow got most of the record down in one day. Since the rupture, Ceriani needs more help, especially with gigs and driving. He can still get around without a stick, but if Ritchie cannot help with a gig, he must find someone else. However, he is regaining independence in other areas.
The experience strengthened their relationship
Ceriani says that day made him more solid in what he and Ritchie have. They care for each other and trust each other. 'If I'm building something, she'll be there with the bloody hammer,' he says. 'Whatever happens further down the track, we'll be in it together.'
Ceriani performs as Lightnin Jack at Willow Whispers in Bridgetown, Western Australia on 12 July, and at the WAM Showcase in Fremantle on 15 August.
