Stolzenbach is originally from Columbus, Ohio by way of Michigan, she is a piano student turned guitarist. She moved to Los Angeles in 1989 to pursue a rock 'n' roll dream. She managed to get into an all-girl band, Tabletalk, filling in for their guitarist. After a couple of years there, Stolzenbach moved to Seattle and went to work for American Music. It was there she eventually connected with her future band mates.
Stolzenbach joined Charlotte's Web in its waning months. She founded Flood with bassist Laura Bell, who also played in Charlotte's Web.