Casey Dienel (born March 10, 1985) is an American singer-songwriter and pianist. She released her debut album, Wind-Up Canary, in 2006 on Hush Records. Dienel presently performs and records as White Hinterland, whose first album, titled Phylactery Factory, was released on March 4, 2008, by the independent record label Dead Oceans.
Casey Dienel spent the bulk of her youth in Scituate, Massachusetts. She took her first piano lessons at age 4, and at age 14 began writing her own pop songs. While attending Scituate High School, Dienel formed a short-lived band named The Bong Loads.
After high school, Dienel moved to Boston to attend the New England Conservatory of Music, having turned down an offer of acceptance from Sarah Lawrence College. After one semester of studying classical vocals, she opted to switch her major to classical composition. During her two years at the conservatory, Dienel studied with many notable musicians, including jazz vocalist Dominique Eade and composer Lee Hyla, before taking an indefinite leave of absence to pursue her own music career.
I went swimming in a black and silent sea
While I was in between
Waking and dreaming
In my mind a knot was gathering
I am afraid of so many things
& I cannot control myself
The water moved around me
Like a cloud of ink
'Til I came upon a lake
The sun has never seen
& I cannot control myself
The fish went wild
Their eyes aglow and seeking heat
Like shards of glass
fitting on past me in the lake below
Life without a moon and stars
Is no life at all
I am afraid of so many things
I am afraid of so many things
But I do not fear the future
What lies ahead is between