Jan Hellriegel’s love affair with music started when she learned classical piano as a child, and as a teenager she took vocal coaching from Dame Sister Mary Leo, whose protégés included
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.
Her first foray into recording was with her brother Rob's band Working With Walt, before forming all-girl indie pop-rock band
Cassandra's Ears at Otago University. They developed a strong following, toured relentlessly and released two self-funded EPs before disbanding in 1989.
Lost Songs debuted in the Official New Zealand Top 40 Albums on 31 May 2013. It has been in the Top 40 Albums for one week with a highest position of #40. There are three albums by Jan Hellriegel in the Top 40 Albums.