[2] Around that time, Sernaker began writing songs and performing them in school, and she made her own record Cloudy Day on Mountain Lodge.

[3] Upon graduating high school, she moved to New York City and pursued a degree in acting at Marymount College, while she performed in musical theater and off-Broadway plays.

[2] As Simi Stone, Sernaker's role in the NYC Sista Grrrl collective in 1997 with Tamar-kali, organizing punk shows by and for Black women and girls, was an influence on the Afro-punk movement.

[7] They performed in numerous NYC venues including Bowery Ballroom, CBGBs, and Irving Plaza, and played several Summer Stage events with Joan Jett, The Roots, Erykah Badu, and others.

I sought her out, which led to us working together twice: at a celebration with the Brooklyn Steppers and Marching Band at Carnegie Hall and on my American Utopia tour during 2018, all of which was very well received.

[2][9] As Simi Stone, she has also toured, performed and recorded with Neko Case, Conor Oberst, Gipsy Kings, Amy Helm and Dan Zanes.