Helen Ballentine, known professionally as Skullcrusher, was born and raised in Westchester County, New York. She graduated from the Hackley School in 2013 and later earned a degree in graphic design from the University of Southern California in 2017. After working at a gallery in Los Angeles, she quit to pursue music full-time, releasing her debut single 'Places/Plans' in 2020 followed by a self-titled EP on Secretly Canadian that July. Her work incorporates indie folk and ambient elements, often drawing from childhood memories and piano training started at age five. Skullcrusher issued singles like 'Farm b/w Lift' in 2020 and 'Song for Nick Drake' in 2021, alongside the EP Storm in Summer. Her debut album, Quiet the Room, arrived in October 2022, exploring themes of childhood, dissociation, and nostalgia with contributions from producer Noah Weinman (Runnner). Recordings often feature field samples from her East Coast upbringing. She is recognized for her introspective songwriting and soft vocals over folky arrangements, though specific details on live performances remain limited in available records.