Finding Harmony and Resilience in an Industry of Sound: Miss Crafty’s Journey of Transformation, Sobriety, and Musical Exploration

5 October 2023 | Pete Aguirre

In this candid and deeply personal interview, we delve into the musical journey of a talented music producer and DJ whose life underwent a profound transformation in the vibrant scene of Mexico City. Recently moving back to her hometown of San Francisco, Miss Crafty not only honed in on her sound but also found a space for personal growth and self-discovery. Her story unfolds with raw honesty, shedding light on the importance of self-care, human connection, and the boundless possibilities of musical exploration. Join us on this inspiring journey as we delve into the heart of her artistry, unveiling the inner workings of a resilient artist who continually finds musical inspiration in even the most quiet of spaces.

PA: You mentioned burnout and health earlier. Aside from now being sober, how do you manage to stay balanced and creative amidst the demanding nature of working in the scene?

 MC: What’s helped me the most is recognizing that I’m more than just an artist. I am human, and there are parts of me that I need to tend to outside of the music world or work. Some of those parts are mundane, some of those parts are not so glamorous, some are not profitable, and some are really not special at all, but they are a part of what makes me whole, and I need to remember to give attention to each of them. The world is moving faster and faster and it’s so easy to get lost in it all, or to succumb to the urge to stay tapped in to stay relevant, but I’ve actually been learning that slowing down and checking out really helps, and can actually provide new sources of inspiration. Taking time to read a book, or do yoga, or cook a really nice meal, or write some terrible poetry, or go for a bike ride with no destination in mind are all things I kind of stopped doing because I was so engulfed with the DJ life. I recently took a trip without thinking “oh I should try and get a gig while I’m there” and actually was able to whole-heartedly unplug as a result. That was incredible. I’m still working on finding this balance, but learning how to turn off “work-mode” and the opportunist in me every once in a while is probably going to save me years.

 PA: Absolutely! Taking time to fully unplug and recognizing and accepting that we are all human is so important. What have been some of the support networks that you have leaned on as you’ve transitioned to this, let’s say, new version of yourself?

 MC: I wouldn’t be here today without my friends, my family, and my therapist. I’ve dragged them all through my personal hell – filled with dramatic ups and downs, wild stories, and many emotional breakdowns. Surprisingly they’ve stuck around, and I’m so thankful for all the love and support that I’ve received, especially during what I can honestly say has been the most challenging yet transformative period in my life. Actually, I played a gig a few weeks ago at 1015 Folsom in SF and my brother flew up from LA, another friend flew in from SD, and a bunch of other friends, old and new, were all right there front row to support. Seeing them there in front of my eyes made me feel so empowered. They are my motivation to continue becoming the best version of myself. I want to do it all for them, as a thank you for all the love they’ve shared.

 PA: That’s beautiful. It seems that your family and upbringing has played a significant role in shaping your musical path. Can you share some insight into that?

 MC: My brother has become my number one supporter, which is so special to me. We’ve developed a really strong bond throughout the years and have been through a lot together. As his older sister, I always felt responsible for protecting him and supporting his upbringing, with a sort of disdain for the duty, but it’s really endearing to realize that he’s looked up to me in admiration the whole time for choosing to live my life the way that I have. Now that we’re both adults, it’s a beautiful thing to know that we both are each other’s strongest support systems, and we motivate each other to continue pursuing our passions. Aside from that, my dad, who passed away when I was really young was and forever will be my biggest inspiration. He ignited my love for music as a child, and my earliest memories are ones we shared through music. We both started taking guitar lessons together shortly before he died too, and I kept that musical side of me alive ever since. I sense that he knew I’d be doing this all along… And lastly, my mom has been a recent convert to my music journey too – she even came out to one of my gigs a while back. As an overprotective Asian mother, I know she just wants to see me happy and safe, so I know that she’s proud of me for being able to achieve that.

PA: Your music career took a significant turn in Mexico. Could you tell us more about that transformative experience?

 MC: It was transformative to say the least – Mexico City changed my life! It was where I was given the space to fully spread my wings for the first time. Having lived there for two years, I was fortunate enough to play with some of the biggest collectives and promoters such as Pervert, EXT, YuYu, Common Sense, Algo Bien, Japan, and Sic Club. I really felt like I was part of something special there. I’ll never forget the first party I ever attended either – my jaw was to the floor the entire night. There were so many new sounds that really broke a lot of the boundaries I had been exposed to in Europe and in the US, which made me feel free, and was something I wanted to explore with my own sound. And luckily, I was granted the opportunities to do just that in Mexico, which helped me recognize that I don’t fit into a single box musically, and I don’t have to. Anyway, things really took flight ever since that first party, starting with being asked to be a member of that collective that hosted it – Trasfondo Comunidad, funnily enough. Shoutout to the boys! Then one thing led to another, and all of a sudden I found myself playing at least once or twice a week. It’s crazy to think that that was almost a year ago, and looking back, I’m filled with gratitude for every person who I crossed paths with, and for everyone who took a bet on me and let me showcase who I am.

 PA: Returning to San Francisco marked a pivotal moment for you as well. What made you move back and how has it been so far? Can you share some insights into your journey from the past to the present?

 MC: Leaving Mexico was painful, to be honest, even though I knew it was the right thing to do at the time. I felt like I had ripped out such a vital piece of myself and left it all behind, and that was difficult to come to terms with. However, things became unhealthy for me towards the end of my time there - I got stuck in the DJ rat race, if you will, and was living in a vicious cycle of unhealthy behaviors, which brought out a lot of really negative traits of mine. In a way, I felt like I was turning into the worst version of myself towards the end, even though from the outside it looked like the complete opposite. So I had to choose myself and move home. But this was no easy feat either, as I was faced with all of my past struggles and memories and versions of myself at each and every turn. I was simultaneously healing multiple sides of myself which was overwhelming. I felt lonely, I felt lost, I felt burnt out – I really thought it was all over for me, and I honestly wanted to give up. But all of this has proved utterly healing. Now I’m happy to say that I’ve found my footing again, and am building a stronger, healthier, and more refined version of myself to date I’m completely sober now, and inspired, and motivated to keep growing.

 PA: Glad to hear things are doing better, and congrats on your sobriety! What has that road been like?

 MC: Thank you! It was a decision I had been thinking about and progressing towards for probably 9 months before just going all out. So needless to say it has been a journey. When you get so deep in the music world, and start finding yourself out however many nights of the week, it really adds up and can manifest in an unhealthy way. I got real about my unhealthy coping mechanisms, which I think we are all full of. I’m a creature of comfort, and I leaned on what made me feel comfortable when I was uncomfortable. As an artist that’s constantly putting myself out there for the world to judge, which, it absolutely, brutally, and honestly does, it was easy to revert to protecting myself against that to rid myself of that discomfort. However, once I realized that what I was hiding from was actually judgement, I started to analyze why I cared so much about being judged in the first place, and where that all stemmed from, which made it a lot easier to tame. Now I can step out without needing anything else besides myself (and my USBs, headphones, and sick outfits, of course). Obviously, facing this has been quite the process and I’m still stepping into it, but I do feel more and more confident each time I go out sober-minded and that’s a feeling I want to keep. At least for now. Not to mention waking up feeling refreshed each morning is the real flex.

PA: You’ve explored various genres musically speaking. What resonates with you most musically these days?

 MC: I will always be a techno girl, but I really love diving into the sub-genres and weird experimental stuff. I think there’s a newfound Latin and tribal influence that I’m really into now, probably because I miss Mexico. I’m revitalizing my love for bass music as well – jungle, dnb, and the likes. I also am newly getting into moody, dark synth wave, electro, and post-punk; feeding into those slower, more sensual styles. I also really love breakbeats, which connects me with my short lived hip-hop and rap era during my childhood. And the cute pop-forward, footwork, club music also resonates. So does the really dark, experimental industrial stuff. Quite a long list of an answer. I’ve freed myself from the rules of music and decided that I am a complex person with complex tastes, and am just going down each and every rabbit hole I find. There’s always something I end up finding that I vibe with. 

 PA: Looking ahead, what are your future goals and aspirations?

 MC: I’m getting a lot more serious about producing. I started taking some production classes and joined a production working group with some friends. I have a lot of tracks I’m sitting on, including an edits pack and an EP that I’m hoping to release soon. I’m honing in a lot on my sound and want the technical skills to match. I also just started a monthly residency with Internet Public Radio, and my goal is to bring people together to make magic happen with b2b2bs. That’s 3 cooks, 1 kitchen, every month. I want that platform to be an opportunity to break boundaries, try new things, and get inspired by each other. We’ll see how that goes. As a long term goal, I’m still hoping to create my own community space, where I can bridge the gap between music and performance and environmental sustainability, but we’ll save that idea for a later date. :)