Former Portland Musician Casey Dienel Is Suing Justin Bieber and Skrillex

The artist known as White Hinterland says "Sorry" rips off part of her song "Ring the Bell."

By Matthew Singer

It might officially be too late for Justin Bieber to say sorry now.

According to TMZ, musician Casey Dienel, who records atmospheric pop under the name White Hinterland and began her career in Portland, is suing Bieber for jacking a distinctive vocal loop from her 2014 song "Ring the Bell" for his hit single "Sorry." The song's producer, Skrillex, and its cowriters are also named in the suit.

In the lawsuit, Dienel alleges "Sorry" lifts "unique characteristics of the female vocal riff" from "Ring the Bell" and repeats it multiple times. She is seeking financial compensation and requesting Bieber stop playing the song.

White Hinterland, aka Casey Dienel. IMAGE: Derrick Belcham. White Hinterland, aka Casey Dienel. IMAGE: Derrick Belcham.

Dienel started the White Hinterland project in Portland in 2008. She moved back home to Massachusetts a few years ago.

Listeners noted the comparisons to "Ring the Bell" around the time "Sorry" was released last fall. Dienel claims she asked Bieber stop using the sample in December, but her requests went ignored.

Hear both songs below. She may have a point.

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