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Ethel Cain

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Ethel Cain
A woman wears an American flag shirt and short jean shorts as she holds a microphone and looks into the distance.
Cain performing at Gunnersbury Park in 2023
Born
Hayden Silas Horner

(1998-03-24) March 24, 1998 (age 26)
Tallahassee, Florida, U.S.
Other names
  • Atlas
  • White Silas
  • Miss Anhedonia
Occupations
  • Singer-songwriter
  • record producer
  • model
Years active2017–present
WorksLive performances
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • piano
  • guitar
Labels
  • Daughters of Cain
  • AWAL
Websitedaughtersofcain.com

Hayden Silas Anhedönia (born March 24, 1998), known professionally as Ethel Cain,[a] is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and model. Inspired by Christian music and Gregorian chant, with lyrics focused on nostalgic and Southern Gothic themes, her music has been associated with the ambient, indie rock, and contemporary folk genres. She has released multiple extended plays (EPs) on streaming platforms under various aliases, before officially starting her main project in mid-2019.

In 2022, Cain released her debut studio album titled Preacher's Daughter, to widespread acclaim from music critics—many of whom called it one of the best albums of the year. Following its release, she garnered a cult following online.

Early life

[edit]

Cain was born on March 24, 1998, in Tallahassee, Florida, and was raised in Perry.[1] She is the eldest of four children in a Southern Baptist family.[2] Her father was a deacon, and she was involved in the church choir from a young age, like her mother.[2][3] At age 8, Cain began studying classical piano, with musical influences from a variety of Christian music. The church was Cain's first exposure to music: "My whole life was always singing, always, always music all the time", Cain said.[3] She left the church at the age of 16.[2] Cain was homeschooled her entire life.[4]

Career

[edit]

2017–2021: Career beginnings and EPs

[edit]

Anhedönia officially started making music in 2017, experimenting with "dreamy bedroom pop demos."[5] Her first extended play under the Ethel Cain moniker, Carpet Bed, consisting of four songs, was released on September 13, 2019.[6] Months later, she released her second extended play, Golden Age, on December 1.[4] After the latter's release, she was backed by artist Wicca Phase Springs Eternal, who praised Cain for her "mature songwriting and understanding of melody".[7] In January 2020, after recommendation from Wicca Phase Springs Eternal, Cain was discovered by rapper Lil Aaron. While headlining a show with Edith Underground, Girlfiend, and Lil Bo Weep in Los Angeles, Cain was invited by Aaron to meet with the publishing company Prescription Songs and signed with them soon after.[8]

In February 2021, Anhedönia released her first single as Ethel Cain and under the new publishing contract, titled "Michelle Pfeiffer", featuring Lil Aaron.[9] The song was described by Billboard as alternative rock, folk, and "even country".[10] Her second single, "Crush", followed on March 18, and received a music video on August 3.[11] A stripped version of the song was also published.[12] The two singles were part of her third extended play titled Inbred, released on April 23. The ambient-folk and slowcore EP,[13] was named by Pitchfork as one of The 49 Most Anticipated Albums of Spring 2021,[14] and received a score of 7.6 out of 10 by the online music magazine.[15] On March 8, 2022, she released a cover of the song "Everytime" by Britney Spears, as part of Spotify Singles, in observance of International Women's Day.[16]

2022–present: Preacher's Daughter

[edit]

On March 17, 2022, Cain released the single "Gibson Girl", subsequently announcing her debut album titled Preacher's Daughter, released on May 12, 2022, through her own record label, Daughters of Cain.[17] A concept album that creates a narrative "centered around the character Ethel Cain", it received a positive reception from music critics, and was named one of the best albums of the year.[b] It was also preceded by the release of the singles "Strangers", on April 7, and "American Teenager", on April 21, the latter receiving a music video on July 21.[26] In support of the album, Cain embarked on the Freezer Bride Tour in 2022 and the Blood Stained Blonde Tour in 2023.[27] She was also an opening act at one concert of Florence and the Machine's Dance Fever Tour, and Caroline Polachek's Spiraling Tour.[28][29]

Cain performed at the 22nd Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April 2023.[30] On June 3, 2023, Cain fainted on stage while performing at the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia as part of Vivid Live, resulting in the show's cancellation.[31] She returned to performing the next day.[32] She also performed at Reading Festival and Gunnersbury Park with Boygenius and Muna in August 2023.[33] On December 5, 2023, Cain announced the Childish Behaviour Tour, an eight-show tour that began on June 3, 2024, and was slated to end on June 27, 2024.[34] After sharing the song on SoundCloud a year before, in 2023, she released "Famous Last Words (An Ode to Eaters)", inspired by Luca Guadagnino's film Bones and All, along with 1017 ALYX 9SM.[35] With a "darkly poignant" music video, it was included in the project's first compilation album.[36] Cain placed on the Forbes 30 Under 30 2024 for Music.[37] She opened for Mitski's 2024 concert tour in support of her album The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We (2023).[38] On February 14, 2024, she released a song titled "من النهر” (meaning "From the River"), which she described as a "prayer" for Palestinians.[39][40] Cain will appear on the track "For Sure" off American Football: Covers, a cover album by the American emo band American Football in tribute to their 1999 record of the same name.[41][42]

Artistry

[edit]

Cain's music style has mainly been classified as indie rock,[14] gothic,[43] contemporary folk,[44] and alternative pop,[45] as well as slowcore, Americana and ambient.[46] She also finds inspiration from gospel music, country music, classic rock and alternative music.[47] After Cain gained popularity with her single "Crush" from her EP Inbred (2021), this song being more-pop oriented than her usual alternative style, she talked about her "fear" of making pop music, saying that "once you make pop music, your other genres won't be taken as seriously", but "she has worked to make the music she wants".[48] Ethel Cain plans to release a book surrounding the story of her album Preacher's Daughter[49] alongside a film once her trilogy albums are released.[50]

Music critics have praised the "cinematography" in her songs, due to Cain's interest in movies and building songs with scenes and characters.[51] According to BroadwayWorld, Cain musically combines "elements of rock, country and cinematic nostalgia" paired with "ethereal vocals and raw lyrics to create her unique sound".[52] Her early musical influences included Karen Carpenter, the Steve Miller Band, and a variety of Christian music.[3] By discovering pop music as a teenager, Cain named Florence Welch, lead vocalist of the band Florence and the Machine, as her "teen idol".[2][53]

Personal life

[edit]

Sexuality and identity

[edit]

Cain came out as gay to her family at the age of 12, and on her 20th birthday, she publicly came out as a trans woman: "As I got older, I found out there were other options", she said.[2] Reflecting on this, she recalled: "It was made clear to everyone that I was not like other people. Whenever I started to develop, I started to come into my own as a trans woman. We were a house divided—it was me versus my whole town."[3] The singer identifies herself as a bisexual woman.[54]

She is autistic,[55] which she learned upon seeking a diagnosis in her adulthood.[56] Reflecting on how being autistic has impacted her artistry, she has stated:

I’m autistic, and so that definitely heightens sensory everything. [...] I think that's why I have so much crossover between media, because it's like, there's never just one sense. Music is not just something you listen to. Film is not just something you watch. You get all these senses from all these things. When I'm producing music, I literally feel sometimes I can see it. I have to close my eyes, and I imagine the bass is the earth. I imagine the synths are rising up next to you, and I imagine the vocals are high in the sky, right in the center. I close my eyes and picture the sound around me – that's how I mix.[55]

Religious beliefs

[edit]

Reflecting on her religious upbringing in a 2021 interview, Cain said that she still considers herself a Southern Baptist: "Whether I like it or not, God always has and always will be a huge part of my life. Whether He's being used as a comforting figure or a threat, I've always been surrounded by it. It's not really something you can walk away from. And I'd rather just sit with it than be like 'Fuck the church!'"[57] In an interview for Rolling Stone in August 2023, she revealed that all of her family have since left the church, though she clarified they are still religious in some ways.[58] She elaborated in a Tumblr post in 2022 that she does not consider herself a Christian, nor as someone who cares about religion. However, she "still abides by the values [she] was raised on", such as kindness, graciousness, and loving thy neighbor.[59]

Political views

[edit]

The lyrics of Cain's song "American Teenager" express criticisms of US gun culture, anti-war sentiment, and political and religious disillusionment. It was included by former President of the United States Barack Obama in his list of favorite songs of 2022, which prompted surprise from Cain that a former president had included her "anti-war, anti-patriotism fake pop song" in his end of year list.[60]

On February 14, 2024, she released a song on SoundCloud titled "من النهر," which is Arabic for "From the River", a reference to the pro-Palestinian phrase "From the river to the sea".[61]

In May 2024, she seemingly called for the assassination of incumbent President of the United States Joe Biden; she had added a post discussing Biden's approval of a billion dollar arms sale to Israel on her Instagram story, with the caption "we need to bring back assassinations". She also called him a "bitch" in another story. She added, "feel like I'm taking crazy pills living in America in this day and age. Billionaires and politicians should be strung up in the street because what the hell is going on. And we can't even have a revolution because our terroristic military would crush us in a heartbeat if we tried to revolt."[62][63]

Other ventures

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Cain began modeling in campaigns for Givenchy, Miu Miu and Marc Jacobs,[53] and debuted on the New York Fashion Week runway for Eckhaus Latta.[64]

Discography

[edit]
Further information: List of songs recorded by Ethel Cain
Ethel Cain discography
Studio albums1
Music videos7
EPs3
Singles6
Promotional singles2

Studio albums

[edit]
Title Album details
Preacher's Daughter

Extended plays

[edit]
Title EP details
Carpet Bed
  • Released: September 13, 2019
  • Label: Daughters of Cain
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Golden Age
  • Released: December 1, 2019
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, CD, cassette, streaming
Inbred
  • Released: April 23, 2021
  • Label: Daughters of Cain (via AWAL)
  • Format: Digital download, CD, cassette, streaming

Singles

[edit]
Title Year Album
"Michelle Pfeiffer"
(featuring Lil Aaron) 		2021 Inbred
"Crush"
"Gibson Girl" 2022 Preacher's Daughter
"Strangers"
"American Teenager"
"Famous Last Words (An Ode to Eaters)"
(with 1017 ALYX 9SM) 		2023 Compilation Vol. 1

Promotional singles

[edit]
Title Year Album
"Everytime"
(Spotify Singles) 		2022 Non-album promotional singles
"Morning Elvis" (Live at Denver Ball Arena)
(with Florence and the Machine)

Music videos

[edit]
Title Year Director Ref
"Fear No Plague" 2021 Hayden Anhedönia and Salem Anhedönia [51]
"God's Country" Hayden Anhedönia [65]
"Crush" [66]
"Crush" (stripped) [12]
"Housofpsychoticwomn" [67]
"American Teenager" 2022 [43]
"Famous Last Words (An Ode to Eaters)" 2023 Hayden Anhedönia and Silken Weinberg [68]

Concert tours

[edit]
Main article: List of Ethel Cain live performances
Headlining
Opening act

Achievements

[edit]
Name of publisher, name of listicle, year(s) listed, and placement result
Publisher Listicle Year(s) Result Ref.
Forbes 30 Under 30 2024 Placed [55]

Notes

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  1. ^ While Ethel Cain is her main project, Anhedönia has other projects under different monikers, such as Atlas, Miss Anhedönia, Tommy, White Silas, and אשמדאי.
  2. ^ Attributed to multiple references:[18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Coscarelli, Joe (May 11, 2022). "The Most Famous Girl at the Waffle House". The New York Times. Archived from the original on June 22, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e Dombal, Ryan (April 20, 2021). "Ethel Cain Fears No Darkness". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d Wally, Maxine (May 13, 2022). "Ethel Cain's America". W. Archived from the original on August 8, 2022. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
  4. ^ a b Walker, Sophie (May 11, 2022). "Hayden Anhedönia and the invention of Ethel Cain". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  5. ^ Kent, Matthew (February 11, 2021). "Ethel Cain reflects on the freedom of LA with revelatory new single "Michelle Pfeiffer"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  6. ^ "Carpet Bed EP by Ethel Cain". September 13, 2019. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  7. ^ "Wicca Phase tells us his top 10 LPs of 2019; tour w/ Glitterer, Creeks, Anxious begins". BrooklynVegan. December 5, 2019.
  8. ^ Jibril, Halima (August 31, 2023). "Ethel Cain regrets signing to Dr Luke's label". Dazed. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  9. ^ ""Michelle Pfeiffer" [ft. lil aaron]". Pitchfork. February 12, 2021.
  10. ^ "First Out: New Music from Rebecca Black, Big Freedia, Syd & More". Billboard. February 12, 2021.
  11. ^ Moran, Justin (August 3, 2021). "Ethel Cain's 'Crush' Video Is a Small Town Fantasy". Paper Mag. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  12. ^ a b "Ethel Cain shares eviscerating rework of "Crushed" (stripped) — announces intimate LA gig at El Cid". Grimy Goods. August 25, 2021. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  13. ^ Chodzin, Devon (May 11, 2022). "On Preacher's Daughter, Ethel Cain's Jarring, Beautiful Vision Comes to Life". Paste. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  14. ^ a b "The 49 Most Anticipated Albums of Spring 2021: Taylor Swift, Japanese Breakfast, J Balvin, and More". Pitchfork. April 6, 2021. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  15. ^ Gordon, Arielle (April 28, 2021). "Ethel Cain: Inbred EP Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  16. ^ Ruiz, Matthew Ismael (March 8, 2022). "Listen to Ethel Cain Cover Britney Spears' "Everytime"". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on May 12, 2022. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  17. ^ Minsker, Evan (March 17, 2022). "Ethel Cain Announces Debut Album Preacher's Daughter, Shares New Song". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 19, 2022.
  18. ^ "Best albums of 2022: Our pick of the top records". Crack Magazine. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  19. ^ "The Best Albums of 2022 Ranked". The Line of Best Fit. December 5, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  20. ^ "Staff's Top 50 Albums of 2022: 10 – 1". Sputnikmusic. December 21, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  21. ^ "Gigwise's 51 Best Albums Of 2022". Gigwise. December 19, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  22. ^ "The 20 best albums of 2022". Dazed. December 16, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  23. ^ "Clash Albums Of The Year 2022". Clash Magazine. December 15, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  24. ^ "The 50 Best Albums of 2022". Paste Magazine. November 28, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  25. ^ "The Best Albums of 2022". Flood Magazine. December 12, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  26. ^ Pappis, Konstantinos (July 22, 2022). "Ethel Cain Shares New Video for 'American Teenagers', Announces Debut UK Show". Our Culture. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  27. ^ Strauss, Matthew (May 10, 2022). "Ethel Cain Extends 2022 North American Tour". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  28. ^ McCafferty, Kenna (October 3, 2022). "Ethel Cain Reunites With Florence + the Machine on Stage". Paper Mag. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  29. ^ Aniftos, Rania (December 12, 2022). "Caroline Polachek Announces 2023 North American & European Tour". Billboard. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  30. ^ "For Her First-Ever Coachella Performance, Ethel Cain Went Full Cheerleader in Givenchy". Vogue. April 17, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  31. ^ Wilkes, Emma (June 3, 2023). "Ethel Cain show cancelled after singer faints on stage". NME. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  32. ^ Minsker, Evan (June 4, 2023). "Ethel Cain Collapses Onstage at Sydney Opera House, Says She's Feeling Better". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  33. ^ Empire, Kitty (August 26, 2023). "Boygenius review – emotional sucker-punches and superb harmonies". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  34. ^ Duran, Anagricel (December 5, 2023). "Ethel Cain announces 2024 'The Childish Behaviour' tour". NME. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  35. ^ Renshaw, David (July 21, 2023). "Ethel Cain shares "Famous Last Words (An Ode To Eaters)" video". Fader. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  36. ^ "Ethel Cain shares new track 'Famous Last Words (An Ode To Eaters)'". DIY Mag. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  37. ^ "Forbes 30 Under 30 2024: Music". Forbes. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  38. ^ Garcia, Thania (January 16, 2024). "Mitski Expands 2024 Tour With Support From Ethel Cain, Laufey, Arlo Parks and More". Variety. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  39. ^ "Ethel Cain's Ethereal and Haunting New Song Is "Meant As a Prayer" for Palestinians". Them. February 15, 2024. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  40. ^ "Ethel Cain Shares New Song "من النهر," ("From The River") For Palestine". Stereogum. February 15, 2024. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  41. ^ Corcoran, Nina (July 31, 2024). "American Football Announce 25th Anniversary Reissue and Covers Version of Self-Titled Debut Album". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  42. ^ Pappis, Konstantinos (July 31, 2024). "American Football Announce Covers Album With Ethel Cain, Manchester Orchestra, Iron & Wine, and More". Our Culture. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  43. ^ a b Raza-Sheikh, Zoya (July 22, 2022). "Watch Ethel Cain's new video for American Teenager". Kerrang. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  44. ^ Daw, Stephen (November 3, 2022). "First Out: New Music From Chloe Moriondo, Corook, Awfultune & More". Billboard. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  45. ^ Murray, Robin (March 17, 2022). "Ethel Cain Shares New Song 'Gibson Girl'". Clash. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  46. ^ "Ethel Cain Essentials - Playlist". Apple Music. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  47. ^ Pappis, Konstantinos (April 21, 2021). "Artist Spotlight: Ethel Cain". Our Culture.
  48. ^ Leasure, Haylee (June 30, 2023). "Haylee's Hub: Ethel Cain's 'Preacher's Daughter' is a life-changing album". The Post. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  49. ^ Hess, Liam (August 23, 2022). "The Gospel According to Ethel Cain". Vogue. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  50. ^ Harding, Maddi (October 20, 2023). "The gruesome tale of Ethel Cain's 'Preacher's Daughter'". The Bubble. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  51. ^ a b "Ethel Cain's Music Is All About Pretending". Nylon. April 19, 2021. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  52. ^ Jae Leiber, Sarah (February 11, 2021). "Ethel Cain Announces 'Inbred' EP". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  53. ^ a b D'Souza, Shaad (July 7, 2023). "'I felt like a performing monkey': Ethel Cain on fans, fainting and being 'Miss Alt-Pop Star'". The Guardian. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  54. ^ Thomas, Zora (September 13, 2022). "Ethel Cain delivers delectably dark performance at the Bowery Ballroom". The Pace Press. Retrieved November 25, 2022. Her lyricism depicts the existence of being a bisexual, transgender woman raised within a southern church.
  55. ^ a b c Smith, Nadine (December 6, 2022). "Ethel Cain's Majestic Melodrama Is the Sound of the Future". Highsnobiety. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  56. ^ "hiya meemaw, is it true that ur on the autism spectrum? [...]". Archived from the original on December 17, 2022. Retrieved December 17, 2022 – via Tumblr.
  57. ^ Hudnut, Conor (April 25, 2021). "God's Country: Ethel Cain's music is an unforgiving portrait of Southern Baptist America". Hero. Archived from the original on January 10, 2022.
  58. ^ Lopez, Julyssa (August 30, 2023). "Into the Abyss with Ethel Cain". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  59. ^ "Do you still consider yourself a Christian?". October 19, 2022. Archived from the original on October 28, 2022. Retrieved November 25, 2022 – via Tumblr.
  60. ^ O'Connor, Roisin (December 24, 2022). "Ethel Cain responds after Obama includes her 'anti-war, anti-patriotism' song on his end-of-year playlist". The Independent. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  61. ^ Planey, Hannah (March 18, 2024). "Ethel Cain Wants All Eyes On Palestine". a magazine. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  62. ^ Shuttleworth, Catherine (May 16, 2024). "Singer Ethel Cain appears to advocate for Biden's 'assassination' over $1billion Israeli arms deal". www.indy100.com. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  63. ^ Neely, Samantha (May 16, 2024). "Florida singer calls on 'assassins' after $1 billion arms sale to Israel. Who is Ethel Cain?". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  64. ^ "Ethel Cain - Fashion Week through the eyes of the artist". flaunt.com. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  65. ^ Minsker, Evan (June 22, 2021). "Ethel Cain and Wicca Phrase Springs Eternal Share New "God's Country" Video: Watch". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  66. ^ Farrell, Margaret (August 3, 2021). "Ethel Cain Makes Blue Eyeshadow and Hair Rollers Timeless in her "Crush" Video". Flood Magazine. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  67. ^ Ethel Cain - housofpsychoticwomn (Official Video), retrieved July 23, 2023
  68. ^ Ascher, Ava (July 26, 2023). "Ethel Cain Releases Hauntingly Beautiful Music Video for 'Famous Last Words (An Ode to Eaters)'". Glitter Magazine. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
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