Ginesse for The Meadow
interviewer: Sara Sharif (@sarangelic)
interviewee: Ginesse (@caitfairbanks)
Ginesse is the musical project of Los Angeles-based actress Cait Fairbanks. In 2018, having already made a splash in the acting realm with her Emmy-nominated role on The Young and the Restless and multiple TV guest spots, Cait unveiled her musical endeavors under the moniker “Ginesse.” With a signature sound that is not wholly mainstream but still irresistibly catchy, her singles quickly picked up support from the likes of PAPER, NYLON and Billboard, setting the stage nicely for the release of her debut EP ‘Somewhere To Die,’ which she unveiled in late 2020.
photography by Isabelle Lesh
What do you consider the perfect moment?
"That moment when a smell takes you back to a very specific memory that fills you up with warmth. I love that shit."
* in relevance to our issue #5 MOMENT
t h e i n t e r v i e w
1. Please start with a little introduction about yourself!
Helloooo, I’m Cait Fairbanks aka Ginesse. I’m a singer-songwriter and actress. I live in LA, I have an adorable dog and I act in a soap opera most days. I was born in Michigan but we moved around a bit until we landed in California and now I’m as happy as a clam and can’t imagine leaving.
2. What genre would you say your music belongs to?
I would say that it falls into indie-pop. I like the idea of fun, accessible music with a twist. Something that feels familiar, but sounds like something you have never heard.
3. Your voice is beautiful! Tell us about your musical journey.
First off, thank you. That's very sweet. I started singing the plot of “My Little Pony” episodes, which I’m sure wasn’t annoying to my parents, at all. I wouldn’t stop singing though. In second grade, I actually got locked in a supply closet by a teacher because I was singing too loud. So, in honor of her, I decided to never stop singing. I started writing songs after working in musical theater for a number of years. I fell pretty hard for it.
4. And how has your journey been so far?
It’s been a journey! I’ve been lucky enough to test out a bunch of different lifestyles and career choices and I’m still pretty young. I’ve gotten to work in studios and on stages in New York and California. It’s been a pretty diverse journey since I started at 12. I definitely grew up a little faster, but I’ve gotten to meet so many interesting characters.
5. I absolutely love your latest single, “Gatorade”. Tell us what “Gatorade” means to you and what your aim was during the making.
The title is a play on Mercury in Retrograde. It’s something a few friends of mine have said and it always made me laugh. For me, “Gatorade” is about nostalgia. Most of my songs are, honestly. It’s about the stories we tell ourselves when something has ended.
photography by Isabelle Lesh
photography by Isabelle Lesh
6. The “Gatorade” MV looks so fun! How was the process of the making of the MV?
It was so fun! We shot during quarantine so it was a really small crew of just friends, so we had a blast. Shot the whole song with me dancing like a madwoman about 50 times. Needless to say, I was very sore afterwards..
7. What is your creative process?
Right now, it’s a day-by-day thing. Trying to be patient with myself and not force anything. I do think it’s necessary for me to be creative on a daily basis even if it’s just doodling for a few minutes. I think it’s important to keep those muscles working or my anxiety tells stories instead.
8. Who is your musical inspiration?
I have a decent amount, but honestly, my friends inspire me more than anyone. They are so talented and encourage me to push myself the extra mile. Without them, I wouldn’t be anywhere.
9. Any tips for our musicians out here?
I would say focus on the music. Music first, aesthetic second. You are already unique and interesting, you will come through no matter what.
10. So, what should we expect next, in the near future?
I’m taking some time to decide what to do next! New songs, new sounds, and new everything. I’ve changed so much over the past two years, to make the same kind of songs as before would feel unnatural.
11. How do we gain access to your music?
It’s on all streaming platforms!
12. Any message for Pastel Serenity’s creative community?
Thank you so much for listening to my music! It means the world. In this digital age without a lot of connection, it means a lot to know someone is listening.