Did you know she loves horror films?
BY ELLA GAUCI, IMAGE BY @BETHANMILLERCO
For nearly two years, fans of Ethel Cain have waited with bated breath for her next project to drop. Following the success of her debut album Preacher’s Daughter – the gothic concept album which led to viral stardom – Ethel Cain is returning with her new album Perverts on 8 January. With the first track Punish already making waves with fans, here are five things you may not know about the queer icon.
Ethel Cain is a stage name
While you’ve likely heard the name Ethel Cain floating around the internet, it’s less likely you’ve heard the singer’s actual name – Hayden Silas Anhedönia. Writing under the stage name Ethel Cain, Hayden has often spoken about the whimsical nature of fiction and why she enjoys creating concept albums. In fact, before she went under the name Ethel Cain, she used a different moniker – White Silas.
She wrote and produced her debut album by herself
Ethel Cain’s debut album Preacher’s Daughter has collected something of a queer cult behind it. Songs like American Teenager have amassed millions of streams and the Americana tracks have also received high acclaim. The concept album follows the story of a fictional girl – Ethel – who is the daughter of a deacon. Fans have flocked to it for its exploration of a number of themes including religious trauma, identity, and violence. Hayden wrote the entire album herself from the age of 19, and only took assistance from two collaborators.
She’s a big horror enthusiast
Known for her gothic outfits and music, it’s no surprise really that Hayden is a huge fan of horror movies. Citing Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Blair Witch Project as some of her favourites, it’s clear that she enjoys snuggling up for a jump scare just like us.
Her work often touches on the concept of the Southern Gothic
With her new album Perverts coming out soon, it’s important to understand some of Hayden’s key inspirations. The concept of the Southern Gothic is one which she has held throughout her music career, and she has often spoken about its importance in her craft.
In an interview with The Face, she wrote: “I think there are two types of Southern Gothic. There’s the theatrical version – which is how people who are not from the South think of it – and there’s the real Southern Gothic. Theatrical is old, spooky churches, the witches in the swamp, alligators and snakes. But there’s a subtlety to the real Southern Gothic. It’s still the churches, but it’s not dark and creepy – it’s actually bright and sunny and creepy. It’s hot, it’s humid, your head is swimming and you hear crickets and cicadas all day. Time moves differently down here. Other places in the country have a full four seasons. Down here, it’s just the same thing, every day, year round. You lose your sense of the passage of time.”
She struggles with being in the spotlight
While she has garnered a huge following, Hayden has been open about her difficulties with navigating fame. In an interview with The Guardian, she spoke about how memes online made her feel like a “a dancing monkey in a circus”. She’s also taken a step back from social media in order to protect her personal life and the lives of her family and friends.
DIVA magazine celebrates 30 years in print in 2024. If you like what we do, then get behind LGBTQIA media and keep us going for another generation. Your support is invaluable.
