Folk-pop singer/songwriter McKinley was born in Seattle but raised at various points including Alaska and San Francisco. While studying mechanical engineering at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, she played in a local band, and after graduation moved to London. After returning stateside in 1997, McKinley accepted an engineering position, only to be contacted just days later by the Samson Music label with the offer of recording an album; her debut LP Big Top Shop Talk followed a year later. ~ Jason Ankeny