Loraine James was raised in an Alma Estate tower block in Enfield, North London.

She took piano lessons, and was allured by 2000s alternative bands like Paramore and Death Cab for Cutie, as well as the calypso and funk music her mother introduced her to.

[1] In her adolescence, James took an interest in electronic music and was inspired by IDM artists like Squarepusher and Telefon Tel Aviv.

[2] James continued to work on music during her spare time, producing a number of experimental electronic tracks.

[5][6] In early 2021, she remotely collaborated with Dominican performance artist and dancer Isabel Lewis for CTM's 2021 virtual edition.