Lightfoot was raised in Waterdown, Ontario, a rural community in the northern part of Hamilton, and attended McMaster University.

[4] She performed as a guitarist and vocalist for the group's 2014 studio album The River and the Willow, having previously appeared on their self-released 2011 debut West Simcoe County.

Her second solo album, 2014's Every Time My Mind Runs Wild, saw her collaborate with indie rockers Gus van Go, Werner F, and Liam O'Neil (known for his performances with the group The Stills).

[15][16] In August 2020, Lightfoot released a new single, "Paper Thin Walls," from her fourth studio album, Consider the Speed.

In 2017 she was honoured by the Canadian Independent Music Association for being a touring musician selling at least 25,000 concert seats in a 12-month period.