Edwards developed a passion for music in her teens, and began her performing career when she was a student at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, singing at local coffeehouses and landing a spot opening for the Civil Wars shortly before the duo's career took off. In 2009, Edwards took her career to the next level by recording a six-song EP, Galaxies and Such, which was soon followed by the eight-song Songbird, both of which she released herself. The response was encouraging enough that in 2011 Edwards moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and cut a second EP, the seven-song Headfirst, which she once again released herself. Edwards stepped up her touring schedule, headlining at house concerts and small venues and playing larger stages opening for the likes of Drew & Ellie Holcomb, David Ramirez, Ben Rector, and Josh Garrels. Headfirst eventually rose to the top of the digital singer/songwriter charts, knocking her old friends the Civil Wars out of the number one spot in the process.