Melberg was raised by working musicians and following her appearance right out of high school at the International Pop Underground Convention in Olympia, Washington in August 1991,[12] she had almost instant success with the all-female band Tiger Trap.[13] The short-lived band garnered a cult following in indie-pop circles.[14] In 2002 she gave birth to a son and lived with her husband and family in Summerland, British Columbia, Canada.[15] She returned to the pop world in 2006 with her second solo album, Cast Away the Clouds.[16] Melberg toured briefly for the album, including a spot opening for Belle and Sebastian.[17] Her third solo album, Homemade Ship, was released on K Records in 2009.[18] The track "Old Days" was featured as Song Of The Day by NPR Music.[19]
As of 2011, she was a part of two groups, Brave Irene and Imaginary Pants.[20] In 2019, the band Olivia's World, featuring Melberg along with Lica Rezende and Joe Saxby, released its debut EP.[21]