Today we’d like to introduce you to Miraxy Santos.
Hi Miraxy, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Born and raised in Orlando, Florida. I grew up jamming to all genres of music including breakbeats, rock, reggae, hiphop, reggaeton, electro, techno, d&b, and the list goes on. Music and arts have always been my escape. , My dad taught me how to Dj Vinyls at ten years old and I grew a greater respect for the art growing up my teenage years helping him set up for his own local shows in the city. My parents currently reside in Seattle, Washington.
Being on my own at a young age, I learned to be independent and started to work before my class even graduated. Paycheck to paycheck, working hard with no financial help has been rough but it’s sculpted me into the strong, boundless woman I am today. Building a resume of nine years in the hospitality industry in Orlando, I’ve bartended in just about every venue you could think of reaching the next big thing I could with no vision of what could come in the future for me as far as careers go. Bartending is fast and good money so why quit, right?
Currently, my main focus in my life is my four years old son, Orion. As a single mother, you wouldn’t expect to be able to pursue a career in the music industry. It was almost impossible even to hold a job for long with no one to rely on to watch my son while I work. A 9-5 in Florida with even $15 an hour is not enough to support a family on your own. I tried. I failed over and over again. I’ve pushed through a lot of the heartaches and kept a positive mind state while balancing motherhood, my finances, my friendships I hold dear, and my free time.
I’ve spent a lot of my free time over the years collecting music. Its become more than a hobby. During the pandemic, I bought my first set of DDJ400s and with the help of my local Dj friends, I started to learn the ways of the CDJs which I absolutely fell in love with. After my first few shows, I decided this is what I want to do forever, even if it’s just for fun. And now it’s become a vital source of income for means my family… but it is much more than that.
In a short amount of time, I’ve had the pleasure of sharing the stage with world-known artists at the venues I used to watch these shows at and bartend at years ago. It’s definitely a heartwarming experience every single time I step on that stage. I’ve had bookings not only all over Orlando but out of state as well with the resources and connections I’ve made in the hospitality industry over the years. Although I’ve accomplished a lot on my list, this is only the beginning.
As they say, you fall in love when you least expect it. This year I’ve randomly fallen into the heart of a legend, 2PULL. Who is known all over the world for his style of dancing. He’s one of the original shufflers that started the movement 10+ years ago in New York. He can also make an entire crowd absolutely melt for his UK style of music. He moved here to pursue his Djing career at the same time I started mine. Together we’ve accomplished many goals and started our very own Drum and Bass duo called “Crisp n’ Juicy” and we plan to expand the Drum and Bass scene in Orlando and introduce our Crisp high hats and juicy bass sound all over the nation. He is one of my biggest inspirations and support.
At the moment, my son is now in school while I dj weddings, quinceaneras, baby showers, etc. on the side. I still play the music I love at the local venues while I’m working on my resume now to become an artist hospitality manager.
My plan from here is to move my parents back into town to be with my son so that I can focus more on producing my own music and taking on shows and festivals all over the county as Miráxy and Crisp n’ Juicy. If I can make a life providing for my family wile doing what I love for a living, I am an example that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE IF YOU DO IT FROM THE HEART.
I hope to reach other single parents in my same situation, eager to take the next big leap for their career/ livelihood and be an example that you can pursue anything you are passionate about even while raising a whole other human on your own and putting them first. Hang tight, don’t let them see you defeated when you are down. Stay positive, love and treat others as you deserve to be loved and treated. Put the work in, your time is coming.
The World Is Yours.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Aside from being a single mother having to manage my time between my son and my craft, financial instability takes a huge toll on me as an artist with no way to practice between or before my sets because I can not afford my own equipment at the moment. CDJs can cost between $400 to $4000 depending on year and make. This is not including speakers or the actual cost of the software needed to create your own music.
The goal is to bounce back like I always do and continue to invest toward my dreams.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a dj, you first learn to play what the crowd would want to hear and dance to, right? Although it is an important factor, playing what YOU love is just as important. As an artist, I make sure to not only please the crowd, I like to share a story. I enjoy taking you on a journey through different genres and BPMs (beats per minute) and introduce you to new sounds you probably didn’t know your ears and body would enjoy. An experience Is what I would call my sets.
For the highest quality of music, you have to pay for it. I purchase most tracks through Beatport and also through subscriptions to other recordpuols. It gets expensive and time-consuming the more you dig deeper and expand your crates so it’s a never-ending job collecting music. But I live for it.
I’m known for playing what we call the heaters as well as introducing new music to everyone around me. Everything I play, from tech house to techno to disco, has my Island flair… I call it Tribal Tech/ Afro Tech. Which makes me most proud when the people run out to the dance floor with the biggest smiles on their faces because they know it’s me playing that sound.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I am for ever grateful for Beatport, SoundCloud and recordpuols.
I watch podcasts from artists I get my inspiration from like E.R.N.E.S.T.O, who does a weekly podcast called the Wednesday Roast. Giving feedback on other upcoming music producer’s projects/ tracks.
What helps me most are my friends. They teach me how to make music and let me practice on their dj setup from time to time.
For now, almost every single set I’ve put together since the summer I’ve played completely live with almost no chance to practice playing the newest tracks I’ve got. It’s what we call in the scene, “sending it”.
I just download the tracks I appreciate and replay them over and over again until I understand the song more and just go with my knowledge of the music when I’m playing live. I’m sill learning and will pretty much never be done learning. It’s what I love about all of this.
Contact Info:
- Email: miraxysantos@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/miraxymusic
- Facebook: facebook.com/miraxy.santos
- SoundCloud: Soundcloud.com/miraxymusic
Image Credits:
Photos of me at Elixir Orlando are from Alona Nicol Purple photo at Gilt nightclub are from Christian Salmanson (his signature is at the bottom of the photos he took of me) Photos at Vanguard are from Taylor Regulski aka CameraLady Photo os Crisp n’ Juicy are from Tristan Laravea
