Ginesse Talks First EP 'Somewhere To Die,' Broadway Influences and Releasing Music During the Pandemic
Photograph by Elizabeth Miranda
Los Angeles-based actress and singer-songwriter Cait Fairbanks, who performs under the name Ginesse, is hardly making her first steps in the music world. The 27 year-old artist was previously nominated for an Emmy for her performance in The Young and the Restless, and incarnated the role of Veronica in the off-Broadway show, Heathers: The Musical.
Released this past November, Ginesse’s indie-pop EP Somewhere To Die is composed of five songs that describe the different stages of her 20’s. The lyrics in each one of them adopt a flow-of-thought kind of candidness, accompanied by the artist’s soft voice and a minimalist sound created with producer Matias Moras. While the project that is Ginesse has just begun and still has room for development and polishing, Somewhere To Die is an introduction to an artist we look forward to hearing more from.
Sunstroke Magazine’s Irène Schrader spoke to Ginesse about what song was the hardest to work on, Broadway’s influence on her music, and how the pandemic affected the EP’s release.
Sunstroke Magazine: Congratulations on your new EP! Do you have any favorites off of it?
Ginesse: Thank you so much! The Somewhere To Die EP took so long to put together because I’m so incredibly obsessive but after I heard the first cut of “LA Isn’t Somewhere To Die,” I knew it was time to start releasing the music.
What song felt most difficult to write or produce?
“4:2” is definitely the most emotional song for me, so to hear it over and over while we were working on it was a bit hard. Even then though, it’s such an amazing process to be a part of. Matias Mora (producer) is such a mad scientist so I’m humbled to be a witness to his work!
Has the ongoing pandemic affected your working process for the EP?
It definitely forced me to release the EP. I wanted to wait until it had blown over but I quickly saw how long that might be and knew people still needed to hear music — now more than ever.
Were there any musical influences that inspired the production and writing process?
Honestly there were so many different influences! I wrote all of the songs during different phases of my early 20s. It’s so funny because I can absolutely hear in the songs what I was listening to and what was inspiring me at the time.
What do you hope listeners will take away from Somewhere To Die?
Just a few minutes of relief from the tornado that is the past few years.
How has your previous experience in Broadway or musicals influenced your artistry today?
It has one thousand percent influenced my artistry today. Going into a different world is much more inspiring to me than just living day-to-day. Musicals transport you to a world in which two people singing in each other's faces is romanticized and expected. That’s pretty magical! I don’t want people to be faced with reality when they are listening to my music. I want it to feel like an escape.
What separates Ginesse from Cait Fairbanks?
It’s one and the same, but concentrated on a few aspects of my personality. I’m definitely a nostalgia obsessed romantic like Ginesse, but I’m also a neurotic asshole sometimes (maybe even all of the time?).
Any advice for other budding singer-songwriters?
Don’t ever stop. Write about whatever the hell you want.
Any future project fans should stay on the lookout for?
There is definitely so much more to look forward to.
You can stream Somewhere To Die via Spotify here. Be sure to keep up with Ginesse on Instagram and Twitter for updates on future releases and projects.