GINESSE AND HER SONG BABIES

The soft-pop hottie Ginesse, also known as Cait Fairbanks, has a new EP “Somewhere To Die” and it is all the haunting, angsty, anti-love songs you could ask for. Her voice is like angels whispering, crying, speaking. Her softness meets pain and longing. Ginesse is one to watch. Her EP should be listened to with a glass of wine and some cigarettes. It should be listened to in the car, in the middle of nowhere, on the longest road possible.

Ginesse shot a music video for “LA isn’t somewhere to die” and it is Casey Becker in the house alone waiting for scream to show up. A thriller masked as a music video with fairy-like vintage fashion. A sparkly nightmare. This video is Ginesse. We got to talk to the singer-songwriter about lessons she’s learned, releasing her song babies and working on the music video.

Congrats on your debut EP! How does it feel to have your baby out in the world? 

Thank you! Releasing ‘Somewhere To Die’ feels like a huge weight has been lifted off my chest, honestly. I was so nervous to put the EP out into the world! Now that it’s out, I finally feel like I can start writing again.

How long did it take to record the EP? Do you have a favorite song on the EP or one that was particularly easy to write because it just slipped out of your soul? 

It took a long time to write and record the EP. I’ve actually been working with my producer Matias Mora and co-writer Mia Minichiello for almost 5 years, I just hadn’t been brave enough to put any of the songs out until now. Once we wrote “LA Isn’t Somewhere To Die,” I just knew I needed to start releasing our song babies!

What was the inspiration behind the music video for “LA Isn’t Somewhere To Die”? How was the experience of shooting it? Tell me about the fashion.

Some major inspiration for the video came from old horror movies – the suspenseful, voyeuristic kind of fear. We wanted the music video world to feel timeless. Most of the wardrobe was vintage and it was styled by my favorite styling goddess, Jordan Douglas. The entire experience of shooting the music video was so fun. We shot it right before lockdown so we just tried to have the time of our lives. We filmed all day in the woods, drank a lot of Diet Coke, and worked our asses off. I felt like I was in a goth dream.

Are you from LA originally? What does LA mean to you as an artist?

I was actually born in the midwest! I’m originally from Michigan but I moved around a to as a kid so I never felt like I had just one home. Instead the people in my life have become home to me. My EP, ‘Somewhere To Die,’ is a thank you to all the friends, lovers and strangers that have made my life worth living.

What albums or songs do you put on to get you through the week?

Sza’s Ctrl, is always on heavy rotation! I’ve also been listening to a lot of 70s ballads lately. I’m feeling those holiday blues, I suppose!

What do you get up to when you’re not making music?

I’ve been trying all kinds of new things in quarantine. I’ve been doing all of the arts and crafts I can get my hands on! I am also still acting on The Young and The Restless, which is such an interesting job!

What is an important lesson you learned this year that you can share with us?

Love many, trust few, and always paddle your own canoe.

How would you describe your evolution over the years? Are you happy where you landed?

I’m definitely still a work in progress. ‘Happy’ is a song word, but I do feel content with where I am and who I am.

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photos / Isabelle Lesh

story / Vogue Giambri