Born in Conroe, Texas to a teenage mother, Payton came from a troubled childhood that ignited her artistic inspiration. Initially drawn to poetry, she shifted towards music after being spurred on by an ex-boyfriend's doubt about her artistry. Despite this skepticism, she not only embraced songwriting but ventured into music by hitting the road as a runaway with various garage rock bands, selling merchandise at just 16. Influenced by a diverse mix of sounds that include Russian post-punk, Soviet Rock, Surf Rock, and the deep resonance of bass drum of death, she began to mold her unique musical identity.