Stutt gained public prominence in Milwaukee and Brooklyn through a heavy touring and gig schedule and wide media coverage in the independent press and radio from 2008-2012. They suffered a mental health crisis in 2012 which involved a 1.5-month state-level hospitalization which forced them to stop performing publicly indefinitely. Doctors told the family they may never work again and should explore disability services. They moved to Oakland the following spring for a fresh start and progressive community, and through grit, tenacity, a beginner’s mindset and vigilant intensive wellness discipline, they continued to release work “from the cave” between 2013-2020 that reflected gravitas, trauma recovery, integrative processing, experimentation and generative identity. This work eventually gained accolades from national outlets including NPR All Songs Considered (2020) and charted nationally on independent stations (2018). With 14 albums released to date, they returned to public performance for the first time for a 10-minute activation of Abraham Cruvillegas’ Rastrojo sculpture at SFMOMA in 2024 and returned to at-capacity audiences in 2026.

Stutt has a degree in Art History and a Master’s in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Her father was a disciple of Swami Rama, and they initiated into the Himalayan tradition in 2002. In 2025, they were lay-ordained in the Soto Zen tradition, receiving the dharma name Yushi Kaika (Courageous Caring Ocean Song).  They serve on the Board for Oakland-based Vital Arts which was founded in the aftermath of the 2016 Ghostship Fire and advocates for safe and sustainable artist housing, venues, legal rights and livelihood.