During the late noughties Crystabel Efemena Riley toured Japan and Europe using drums, electronics and make-up in power-noise trio Maria and the Mirrors. This was the start of her interest in patterns on skins — human and drum. An interest in dimensional patterns existing on (and off) different skin surfaces, exploring the idea of 'care and uncare': layered skins, recycled drum skins, smetled sculptures, other metallics and electronics.

Crystabel has been a long-term collaborator with Sue Lynch who welcomed her into the Horse Improvised Music Club and later played in the London Improvisers Orchestra.

She is currently working on the multi-format duo project @xcrswx with Seymour Wright, together they created the sounds for Edward George’s Black Atlas film at the Warburg Institute.