Stuart was born in Devon in 1975.  During his childhood he lived in a village in the Teign Valley on the edge of Dartmoor National Park.  Stuart later moved to a town in Mid-Devon where he spent his teenage years.  He currently lives with his family in the Devon city of Exeter.

Stuart was songwriter, lead guitarist and sometime lead singer of the Exeter band Sand.  Sand’s first gig was in support of Liverpool's Cecil, and they also supported Muse at Exeter’s Cavern Club.  Later, Stuart was lead guitarist in the band Savalis before going solo.

Stuart has a wide range of influences including bands like The La’s, Oasis and The Verve, and singer-songwriters such as Nick Drake, Judee Sill, John Martyn and many others.