Born in Rostrevor, Northern Ireland, McGrath learned guitar from her grandmother, who taught her to play and sing "The Lion Sleeps Tonight".

[citation needed] McGrath's parents are both musicians and were frequent performers at the annual Fiddler's Green Music Festival held in County Down, Northern Ireland.

McGrath has said that her country music influences include Taylor Swift, Kacey Musgraves, Kelsea Ballerini, Brad Paisley, and Rascal Flatts;[2] she credits Swift's song "Love Story" in particular for introducing her to country music at the age of 12.

[3] McGrath's videos attracted the attention of Instrumental, a company that finds talent online and grooms them for larger success.

She moved to London to work for the company, and after only a few months, began travelling to Nashville for songwriting and studio sessions.