Ethel Cain

Ethel Cain, born Hayden Silas Anhedönia, is a singer-songwriter, artist, and producer known for her cinematic soundscapes, Southern Gothic storytelling, and deeply emotional lyricism. Raised in a conservative Southern Baptist household in Perry, Florida, Cain began creating music in her teens, initially exploring choral and ambient sounds under various monikers before embracing her Ethel Cain identity in 2019.

Her breakout moment came with the release of her 2022 debut album, Preacher’s Daughter, a sprawling, haunting concept record that weaves themes of religion, identity, trauma, and Americana into a tragic, yet poetic narrative. Lauded by critics and fans alike, the album earned Cain a devoted following for its ambitious storytelling, blending elements of alternative rock, dream pop, and gothic folk with vivid, sometimes harrowing imagery.

Cain’s music is deeply autobiographical, often drawing from her own experiences as a trans woman growing up in the rural South. Her work explores the complexities of faith, familial legacy, and self-destruction, all told through a uniquely Southern lens. Beyond music, she is also known for her striking visual direction and fashion sense, which have led to collaborations with luxury fashion houses and features in major publications.