Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, singer and songwriter Mandi Perkins began performing and writing music at a young age, and was active through her school years in musical theater and participated in numerous vocal competitions. She moved to California to attend the University of California, Berkeley, eventually graduating with honors and holding a degree in English literature. She never, however, gave up on her dream of being a professional musician, and she continued to pursue that aim even after moving to Los Angeles to attend law school. playing live shows and recording demos while handling her class load. Perkins self-released three EPs during this time, selling them at live shows, Mandi Perkins and The Mandi Perkins Band, both in 2003, and Broken Window in 2005. Her debut full-length, Bleeding the Line..., was recorded while Perkins was still in law school, although by the time it appeared via De Nova Music/Ingrooves in 2007, she had successfully passed the California Bar. Cuts from the project were eventually featured in the soundtracks to MTV's The Real World, Laguna Beach, and The Hills. Song publisher Jeff Rosen was impressed by Perkins' sharp lyrics and charismatic stage presence and helped her get a deal with Sony BMG's Victor Records, which released Alice in No Man's Land in 2008.