As a child, Cagle traveled the world with her family, living in or visiting countries including Venezuela, Mexico, Greece, Italy, France, Germany, England, Scotland, and Ireland.
Her parents were members of the Children of God new religious movement, widely referred to as a cult, and like actors River Phoenix and Rose McGowan (who also spent their early childhood in the group), she and her siblings would often busk on street corners for passers by.
When older, she decided to leave her family and the Children of God group, at odds over their beliefs, and moved to New York.
During a show in the 34th Street – Herald Square subway station, Cagle was discovered by producer Jay Levine, who introduced her to then new president of Columbia Records, Steve Greenberg.
Her life and music were the subject of a profile and interview on the NPR program Morning Edition that aired Monday, March 26, 2012.