born in north london and raised in romford on a musical diet of soul funk and reggae. studied painting at maidstone art school in the eighties, then moved to wales and learned to speak welsh. exposed to appalchian, european and arabic music. began an affair with folk music that has lasted ever since.

in 94 recorded and toured with english hurdy gurdy player nigel eaton under the collective name whirling pope joan

formed fernhill with her husband ceri rhys matthews in 1996. continues to record and tour worldwide with the band.

in 2000 performed solo and with fernhill in the bafta award winning film 'beautiful mistake' by mark evans about the welsh music scene which included performances by james dean bradfield, catatonia, super furry animals, gorkys, y tystion and manchild. collaborated with ex velvet underground member john cale on the film, who accompanied her on a song from debut solo album, black mountains revisited.

other musical collaborations have included a track on y tystion's second album 'shrug off ya complex'
- more fresh ideas and gobshite energy than you'll find on the last two public enemy albums put together nme

added soulful vocals to 3 tracks with llanelli/swansea hip hop band wepun ex project
- this is pure inspiration. its giving me hope that hip hop lives. you really need to checkthis out - its some different shit 5/5 big daddy

in feb 2001 recorded a track with robert plant for the third album by afro celt sound system on realworld. the track was playlisted on american rock stations.
- julie murphy all but steals the show to underline her emergence as one of the greatest singers in the land with her electrifying counterpoint to robert plant on life begins again froots (review of afro-celt sound system - vol 3)

recorded an album of welsh songs inspired by a visit with collaborator dylan fowler to a fado festival in lisbon 2000.

in 2002 bbc1 wales screened a half hour prgramme by documentary film maker karen whiteside about her music. the film mainly concentrates on the lilac tree album and includes footage shot in the recording studio and at a live concert at ocean in oct 2001