Caroline Trettine spent the early years of her life in Nigeria. She began composing songs seriously while still at school. Moving to Bristol to study English, she joined a folk-rock band and was discovered by Gerard Langley, who invited her to join the 'Blue Aeroplanes'. She sang and played guitar with Gerard, Nick Jacobs, John Langley (Strangelove), Angelo Bruschini (Massive Attack) and Dave Chapman, in a series of poetry-art-rock performances. She then left the Aeroplanes to pursue a solo career in London.