[6] With her father and two older brothers, she "lived the archetypal hippie commune life, travelling around the northern part of the state".
"[5] She had "a long childhood involving children's homes, foster parents, charity organisations, food vouchers and freaks – often on the run from authority but with nowhere to go.
[9][10] She turned to music, "I picked up the guitar... and taught myself how to play";[5] and performed in "folk / blues clubs and cafes of the region".
"[11] Anaid recorded her debut album, Diana ah Naid, in Byron Bay for the cost of AUD$10,000, she had 500 copies pressed and launched it at the Nimbin Bush Theatre on her 21st birthday, 8 April 1997.
[6][7] Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, described it as "a restless, funky brand of acoustic guitar folk with urgently charged vocals (akin to Ani DiFranco) backed by an emotional, primal energy.
[7][14] McFarlane felt it "highlighted ah Naid's confident and passionate delivery over sparse yet adept guitar work.
"[7] Anaid had written the track after the father of her then-boyfriend, who had seen her perform at Byron Bay Bluesfest in 1996, had told her she would never succeed, "because you just don't go off.
"[20] Fellow singer-songwriter, Ella Hooper (of Killing Heidi) declared I Don't Think I'm Pregnant as her favourite album of the year, "She's cool, and she rocks!
[26] Billboard's Christie Eliezer noted that the album's "outspoken lyrics reflect a traumatic childhood"; she related that "early Faith No More, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Nirvana helped me a lot.
[29] Glen Humprhies of Illawarra Mercury felt her lyrics provide "a real portrayal of love and life – warts and all – whether it's about the harsh reality of break-ups ('Perfect Family') or waking up after a one-night stand to have the guy confess he has a girlfriend ('Piece of Me').
[30] On 25 September 2009 her next single, "Cynical on Waking", was released ahead of her fourth studio album, Diana Anaid, which appeared in February 2010.
[31] During August to September in the following year Anaid co-headlined a national tour with Brumby, each promoted their respective fourth albums.
[38] "Can't Apologise" saw radio support across the country as Diana toured nationally and through New Zealand with Adam and The Ants and her own headline shows.
I’ve got a short list of 10 of the hundreds of records I have worked on, including The Screaming Jets, Monty Python’s – The Rutles, Toyah Wilcox, Weta, The Rumjacks and now My Queen has been added to that list. "
Following on from "Can't Apologise" second single "Better Girl" was released early in 2018 to more rave reviews "...wistful and edgy, rebellious and arty, relentlessly creative..with an amazing voice."
Touring nationally in support of "Better Girl" Diana was described as "..the Australian equivalent of Alanis Morissette" and "one of a kind" with the video clip being described as "incredibly powerful" (MGM) and "life changing".
"There were some powerful correlations, beginning with the opening moments, where the girl dives into her inner wisdom, and through to the end where she is a wise, integral, connected old woman.
"Leaving Town also relates to finding ones inner strength and connecting to something deeper, walking your own path and making a positive difference.