Hayden Anhedönia’s Ethel Cain alter ego came about as an escape from a particularly tortured teenhood. Raised in a strict and oppressive Southern Baptist community in Florida, and then at 16 coming out as gay, and later a trans woman, Anhedönia found release by imagining life as a superstar diva. Explaining to Pitchfork how she became Cain, she says: “That fanatical delusion was definitely the stepping stone and I’m just stubborn enough to have actually tried to make it happen.”
Anhedönia has released a string of increasingly impressive singles in recent years, including the dream-pop haze of Gibson Girl and the brilliantly noirish Lana Del Rey-isms of Crush. Her debut album, Preacher’s Daughter, released this month, is her boldest statement yet, taking in elements of alt-rock, gospel, pop (most notably on the standout American Teenager) and country, all refracted through a southern gothic prism, with recurring themes of small-town ennui, toxic relationships and death.
Now living in a deconsecrated church in rural Indiana, it’s clear that Anhedönia’s Baptist upbringing still casts a long shadow. “I have a weird relationship with putting religion in my art,” she says. “I’m so far removed from it now, but considering that’s really all I knew for my whole life, it’s definitely the main source of inspiration.”
Preacher’s Daughter is out now
Stay connected with us on social media platform for instant update click here to join our Twitter, & Facebook
We are now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@TechiUpdate) and stay updated with the latest Technology headlines.
For all the latest Music News Click Here
