Hi Crime is a Seattle-based indie band that began as a recording project between songwriters Mitch Etter and Brielle Rutledge. The duo met in summer 2015 and quickly began work on what would become their first release. The Foreign Hours EP was written, recorded, and mixed entirely in the duo's bedrooms over the fall months while Rutledge finished college, commuting back every few weeks to record.

The debut EP earned attention from KEXP, and other NW media outlets, inspiring the duo to expand to a four-piece and begin performing live. The expanded lineup provided a burst of new songs, propelling the band into work for their debut full-length album, The Kids Still Got It, released on June 29, 2018. After a successful tour in support of the album, more new music came in the form of two non-album singles, and a live EP.

While a follow-up LP was planned for 2020, the covid-19 pandemic severely disrupted the band's plans. Half of the group lost their jobs, and the other half suddenly became essential workers, with no ability to work together as a group. This forced hiatus gave the band a chance to grow before reconvening, and releasing Midori in June 2023. Mitch took time during the hiatus to study music theory, learn piano, write songs, and practice production by recording/mixing many elaborate demos. This effort culminates to great effect with the song ‘Barefoot Pretender.’ It’s an entirely new direction for the band that takes form as a mini folk-odyssey with rich acoustic guitar harmonies, orchestra swells, bright piano, and exquisite vocal layering.

Brielle took time during the hiatus to focus on visual art, starting her own custom stuffie business. The newfound creativity carried over into her music as she realized she could break conventional patterns she had developed over time. Lyrically, Rutledge is more personal in both message and style. Not feeling a pressure to constantly rhyme, Rutledge sings on 'Narrative' "I don't need the long commute, or power suit, suburban heated floors. I wanna spend my time being stupid with my sister petting all the cute cats, showering my house plants." 

Hi Crime’s creative reset and growth heard on Midori is just the start. Deep in production on a follow-up album, stay tuned for more new music surprises in 2024.