After releasing her third album Folkyo, Manning joined the folk trio Trent Severn in 2011, along with Emm Gryner and Laura Bates, who was later replaced by Lindsay Schindler.

[8] Set to self-produce her first album at the age of 16, she was discovered by Honeymoon Suite keyboardist Ray Coburn at a showcase at Lee's Palace in Toronto; after two live performances for EMI executives, the label signed Manning to a record deal.

Her first single and video, "Half the Man," was downcast, mournful and heavily folk-inflected; nonetheless it became a strong hit on Canadian radio and MuchMusic, and the uptempo follow-up track, "My Addiction" was also successful, peaking at No.

After her first release she toured Canada and North America for two years, performing on the first and second season of Lilith Fair and with Lisa Loeb, Spirit of the West, 54-40, Joe Cocker, and opening for Radiohead.

It was recorded in Los Angeles at Cello Studios with Red Hot Chili Peppers engineer Jim Scott, and with additional production by Dave Hodge.

[1] She is expected to perform a new version of the song for Rainbow Sun Productions' video presentation commemorating the film's 20th anniversary, which will premiere on YouTube on July 19, 2020.

She released the album on her own label, LeParc Records, and even raised funds to finish production by working at a construction camp in Northern British Columbia for the Winter of 2006.

Folkyo received positive reviews, praising the album's musical intricacy and Manning's voice and writing,[14] as well as its complex tones and clever lyrics.

[15] According to a Toronto Quarterly article in 2012, "[Manning's] songwriting is sincere and superbly crafted, her finger-picking skills are unmatched and her voice is truly unmistakable with a timbre that reminds one of Roy Forbes, Joni Mitchell and Dolly Parton all at once.

[8] Post City praised the balanced feel between tracks, stating "For the most part, the album [has a] laid-back, twangy trend, punctuated by a couple of fast-paced and upbeat numbers here and there.

[16] In 2013 Manning arranged an original folk version of "O Canada" with three part vocal harmony,[18] which she performed with Trent Severn at the flag raising ceremony on Parliament Hill, Ottawa on July 1, 2013.