Born and raised in Kill County, Kildare, Ireland, Heidi Talbot quickly went from busking in her homeland to fronting the Celtic all-star band Cherish the Ladies. Talbot grew up singing in the church choir that her mother directed, and first picked up the guitar at age 12. She later took voice lessons, sang at different events around Ireland, and joined the Whole Shabang! in 2001. The singer met Cherish the Ladies at a 2001 Shabang! show in New York City, and was soon asked to do guest vocals on their The Girls Won't Leave the Boys Alone album. After releasing a limited-run, self-titled solo album, Talbot was made an official member of Cherish the Ladies in 2003. Her second solo album, Distant Future, was released by Compass in 2004.