Ethel Cain

Hayden Silas Anhedönia (born March 24, 1998),[2] known professionally as Ethel Cain,[lower-alpha 1][3][4] is an American singer-songwriter, multidisciplinary artist, and model born in Tallahassee, Florida. She lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[5]

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, London, in 2023
Born (1998-03-24) March 24, 1998
Tallahassee, Florida, U.S.
Other names
  • Atlas
  • White Silas
  • Miss Anhedonia
  • Tommy
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • artist
  • producer
  • model
Years active2017–present
WorksLive performances
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • piano
  • guitar
Labels
  • Daughters of Cain
  • AWAL
Websitedaughtersofcain.com

In mid-2017, Cain began experimenting with writing, recording, and producing her own ethereal style, inspired by Christian music and Gregorian chants.[6] She released multiple mixtapes and EPs on streaming platforms under various aliases, as well as to sites like SoundCloud and Tumblr, before adopting a more alternative sound and officially starting the Ethel Cain project in mid-2019.[7] Cain's lyrics focus on nostalgic and Southern Gothic themes, such as poverty, substance abuse, domestic violence, death, and transgenerational trauma. Her music has been associated with the ambient, alternative rock, and dream pop genres.[4]

In 2022, Cain released her debut studio album, Preacher's Daughter, to widespread acclaim from music critics—many of whom called it one of the best albums of the year.[8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] Following its release, Cain garnered a cult following online.

Early life

Cain was raised in Perry, Florida,[16] 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.[2] At age 8, Cain began studying classical piano, and her early musical influences included Karen Carpenter, the Steve Miller Band, and a variety of Christian music.[17] She was homeschooled her entire life.[18] As a teenager, she discovered pop music, particularly that by Florence and the Machine.[19]

She came out as gay to her family at the age of 12 and left the church at the age of 16.[2] On her 20th birthday, she publicly came out as a trans woman.[2] Reflecting on this, Cain 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."[17]

Cain finds inspiration from gospel music, country music, classic rock and alternative music.[20]

Career

2017–2019: Career beginnings

In 2017, while considering enrolling in the Florida State University film school, Cain began experimenting with creating reverb-heavy choral inspired music on GarageBand. From 2017 to 2018, she released her works to a small group of friends and followers on sites such as Twitter, Tumblr, and Instagram under the names White Silas and Atlas (stylized as ΛTLΛS). In 2019, following the release of her debut single as Ethel Cain, titled "Bruises", she connected with artist Nicole Dollanganger through social media, opening for Dollanganger on the artist's Heart Shaped Bed tour in Chicago.

In September 2019, she released a small collection of songs titled Carpet Bed, her first extended play under the Cain moniker.

In December 2019, after the release of her Golden Age EP, she was backed by artist Wicca Phase Springs Eternal, who praised Cain for her "mature songwriting and understanding of melody".[21]

2020–2021: Inbred
Main article: Inbred (EP)

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. In August 2020, Cain moved from Florida into a refurbished church outside of Richmond, Indiana, where she would finish recording her first EP with Prescription Songs titled Inbred.

In February 2021, Cain released her first single under the new publishing contract, titled "Michelle Pfeiffer" featuring Lil Aaron.[22] The song was premiered on Paper and featured on Pitchfork,[23] Billboard,[24] Nylon,[25] and The Fader.[26] A second single, "Crush", followed on March 18, and a third, "Unpunishable", premiered on Apple Music Radio 1 with Zane Lowe on April 15, 2021. Inbred was released on April 23, 2021. The EP explores Americana, ambient-folk and slowcore.[27]

2022–present: Preacher's Daughter, modeling, and other projects
Main article: Preacher's Daughter

On March 17, 2022, Cain released the single "Gibson Girl", subsequently announcing her debut album Preacher's Daughter, released May 12, 2022.[28] Cain went on to release singles "Strangers" on April 7, and "American Teenager" on April 21, the latter receiving a music video on July 21. The album was released via her own Daughters of Cain label and features thirteen songs.[28] In support of the album, Cain embarked on the Freezer Bride Tour in 2022 and the Blood Stained Blonde Tour in 2023.

Cain began modeling in campaigns for Givenchy, Miu Miu and Marc Jacobs,[19] and debuted on the New York Fashion Week runway for Eckhaus Latta.[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 in August 2023.[33]

Cain also releases on SoundCloud under various aliases, including "Tommy" and "אשמדאי" (Ashmedai), experimental throwaway songs, demos, and covers entirely separate from her main Ethel Cain concept.

Personal life

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!'"[34] 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.[35]

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."[36]

Once known for maintaining an active profile on social media, Cain deleted her Twitter account in July 2023, saying in an interview "[she doesn't] want to have all of [her] personal business and every innermost thought just out there on the internet for the world to see" and that some fan behavior had affected her relationship with friends and family.[19]

Cain is transgender and bisexual.[37] She is also autistic.[38]

Discography

As Ethel Cain
Ethel Cain discography
Studio albums1
Compilation albums2
Music videos7
EPs3
Singles11

Studio albums
Title Album details
Preacher's Daughter
  • Released: May 12, 2022
  • Label: Daughters of Cain (via AWAL)[39]
  • Format: digital download, streaming

Extended plays
Title EP details
Carpet Bed[40]
  • Released: September 13, 2019
  • Label: Daughters of Cain
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Golden Age[41]
  • Released: December 1, 2019
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, CD, cassette, streaming
Inbred[42]
  • Released: April 23, 2021
  • Label: Daughters of Cain
  • Format: Digital download, CD, cassette, streaming

Compilation albums
Title Album details
Unreleased[43]
  • Released: February 28, 2020
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Unreleased II[44]
  • Released: May 20, 2020
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

Singles
Title Year Album
"Bruises"[45] 2019 non-album single
"Golden Age (Piano Version)"[46]
"Michelle Pfeiffer"[47]
(featuring Lil Aaron)		 2021 Inbred
"Crush"[48]
"Unpunishable"[49]
"Everytime"[50]
(Spotify Singles)		 2022 non-album single
"Gibson Girl"[51] Preacher's Daughter
"Strangers"[52]
"American Teenager"[53]
"Morning Elvis" (Live at Denver Ball Arena)
(with Florence and the Machine)		 non-album single
"Famous Last Words (An Ode to Eaters)" (with 1017 ALYX 9SM)[54] 2023 1017 ALYX 9SM Compilation Vol. 1

Music videos
Title Year Director
"Fear No Plague"[55] 2021 Hayden Anhedönia and Salem Anhedönia
"God's Country"[56]
(featuring Wicca Phase Springs Eternal)		 Hayden Anhedönia
"Crush"[57]
"Crush" (stripped)[58]
"Housofpsychoticwomn"[59]
"American Teenager"[60] 2022
"Famous Last Words (An Ode to Eaters)"[61] 2023 Hayden Anhedönia and Silken Weinberg

As White Silas
White Silas discography
EPs5
Singles9

Extended plays
Title EP details
Colossus[lower-alpha 2][62]
  • Released: October 27, 2017
  • Label: Silas Creative Productions
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Arcane Vessels[63][64]
  • Released: March 24, 2018
  • Label: Silas Creative Productions
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Sad Music for Sad People[65]
  • Released: September 15, 2018
  • Label: Silas Creative Productions
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Nightmares (with Little Triste)[66]
  • Released: October 31, 2018
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Mourning After (with Little Triste)[67]
  • Released: March 30, 2019
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

Singles
Title Year Album
Sacrilege[lower-alpha 2][68] 2017 Colossus
Virginity[lower-alpha 2][69]
Hospital Beds[lower-alpha 2][70]
"White Light"[71] 2018 non-album singles
"Away From U"[72][73]
"Misuse Oh"[74] 2019 Carpet Bed
"Saddle Up!"[75] non-album singles
"Drain Me"[76][77]
"White Van"[78]
Notes
  1. While Ethel Cain is her main project, Anhedönia has several projects under several different monikers. Other names include Atlas, Miss Anhedönia, Tommy, White Silas, and אשמדאי.
  2. Originally released under the moniker Atlas, later changed to White Silas.

Concert tours
Main article: List of Ethel Cain live performances
  • The Freezer Bride Tour (2022)[79]
  • Blood Stained Blonde Tour (2023)[80]

References
  1. Daw, Stephen (March 11, 2022). "First Out: New Music From Chloe Moriondo, Corook, Awfultune & More". Billboard. Retrieved March 17, 2022. folk singer-songwriter Ethel Cain's...
  2. Dombal, Ryan (April 20, 2021). "Ethel Cain Fears No Darkness". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  3. "Experience The Dawn of Ethel Cain's Golden Age". Underground Underdogs. December 10, 2019. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  4. Song, Sandra (February 11, 2021). "Ethel Cain Debuts 'Michelle Pfeiffer' with Lil Aaron". Paper. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  5. "omg did u move to pittsburgh... 412 repping..." Tumblr. November 19, 2022. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  6. "Ethel Cain Fears No Darkness". Pitchfork. April 20, 2021. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  7. "The Gospel According To Ethel Cain". Underground Underdogs. March 30, 2020.
  8. "Best albums of 2022: Our pick of the top records". Crack Magazine. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  9. "The Best Albums of 2022 Ranked". The Line of Best Fit. December 5, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
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  13. "Clash Albums Of The Year 2022". Clash Magazine. December 15, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  14. "The 50 Best Albums of 2022". Paste Magazine. November 28, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  15. "The Best Albums of 2022". Flood Magazine. December 12, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  16. 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.
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  24. "First Out: New Music from Rebecca Black, Big Freedia, Syd & More". Billboard. February 12, 2021.
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  26. "10 songs you need in your life this week". The Fader. February 15, 2021.
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  29. "ETHEL CAIN | FASHION WEEK THROUGH THE EYES OF THE ARTIST". flaunt.com. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
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  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. "Ethel Cain". Reading Festival. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  34. 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.
  35. Lopez, Julyssa (August 30, 2023). "Into the Abyss with Ethel Cain". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
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  37. 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.
  38. "hiya meemaw, is it true that ur on the autism spectrum? [...]". Tumblr. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
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  53. "Ethel Cain – "American Teenager"". Stereogum. April 21, 2022. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
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  56. Ethel Cain - God's Country (feat. Wicca Phase Springs Eternal) [Official Video]. Ethel Cain. June 22, 2021. Archived from the original on October 12, 2022. Retrieved November 23, 2022 – via YouTube.
  57. Ethel Cain - Crush (Official Video). Ethel Cain. August 3, 2021. Archived from the original on October 17, 2022. Retrieved November 23, 2022 – via YouTube.
  58. Ethel Cain - Crush (Stripped). Ethel Cain. August 24, 2021. Archived from the original on October 19, 2022. Retrieved November 23, 2022 – via YouTube.
  59. Ethel Cain - housofpsychoticwomn (Official Video), retrieved July 23, 2023
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  63. "SoundCloud - Hear the world's sounds". SoundCloud. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
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  74. "Misuse Oh by White Silas". Spotify. January 1, 2019. Archived from the original on January 17, 2020. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
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  78. "White Van by White Silas". Napster. June 22, 2019. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  79. "Ethel Cain Extends 2022 North American Tour". Pitchfork. May 10, 2022. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  80. "Boygenius Has Announced Its First UK Tour, Including Dates With MUNA and Ethel Cain". Them. February 24, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
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