Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Luisa Walker. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Luisa, appreciate you joining us today. What were some of the most unexpected problems you’ve faced in your career and how did you resolve those issues?

In the summer of 2022, I was working as a door-to-door canvasser for a non-profit organization. I walked six miles a day for six hours every day. It was hard work, but it funded my musical career and paid the bills. However, dealing with undiagnosed chronic pain since childhood skewed my understanding of what a “normal” level of pain was. The combination of years of chronic pain and walking six miles every day caught up to me, and I became injured.

Fast forward months later when my injury didn’t seem to ever heal. I was suddenly and quickly thrust into the world of neurologists, MRI machines, and inconclusive blood tests. I was forced to start using mobility aids, and every day I became more unwell.

Soon, my energy dwindled down to almost nothing, and I became incredibly depressed. It takes a lot of energy to work full-time and then also work on art and my music. A lot of things in my life were suddenly changing. The most difficult of them, though, was my lack of energy for my passions and the fact that I could no longer perform standing up.

I was really worried people wouldn’t take me as seriously as they did before now that I use a cane and a rollator. I was worried that sitting instead of standing while performing would dim my performance. All I ever want to do is paint and play music, and suddenly I was too exhausted and in pain to do either of those things.

Recently, in 2024, I received an official diagnosis. This is a huge relief for me, and I feel like my questions have been answered. However, along with the diagnosis came the news that my illness is progressive and there is no cure. I have realized I can no longer put aside my passions because my illness wasn’t going to go away, and most likely, it’s going to get worse. Because of this, I have decided to fully embrace my cane and the stool I use when I perform. I am still adjusting to this sudden life change. There are days where my internalized ableism wins, and it tells me I am unworthy now. When I stop and put it in perspective, I have come to understand that I haven’t had the luxury of waiting for my health to get better to pursue my art. I have to do it now, and I have to accommodate my own needs. Who knows where my health will be a year from now! Now is the time, and I am going to continue to work hard.

Luisa, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Luisa Walker, but I usually go by Lu. I am a queer, Latinx visual and musical artist. I use they/he pronouns. My visual art focuses on the concept of derealization and dissociation. I am drawn to painting different types of faces representing the various “parts” of myself and my lack of sense of self.

My music heavily focuses on mental illness, grief, and the general theme of loss. In 2014, when I was 14, I started my first musical project called Ludoesmusic. I mainly wrote quirky “diss tracks” and humorous songs about people I didn’t like. At the time, this felt fulfilling to me and helped me process my emotions. However, in 2017, I tragically lost my partner to suicide, which shook my entire world. I became aware that my sassy songs did not feel genuine to me anymore. At 18 years old, I experienced my first life-changing event, feeling ridiculous singing about insignificant events when I now knew what real pain and suffering felt like. This changed the trajectory of my musical career, and I eventually changed my name to Bad Boy Bug.

I have been using music and art to cope with the ghosts in my head since I was a child. Now, at 25, I believe I have finally cultivated a sound that feels raw, genuine, and unique. I want people who feel alone and whose hearts are aching to turn on Bad Boy Bug and feel less alone, knowing there are words for what they are experiencing.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Overall, I believe I am a very resilient person. I have faced many trials in my lifetime, overcoming numerous challenges and still confronting others. Starting in preschool, I exhibited extreme creativity and had an “overactive imagination.” I enjoyed playing alone and with my dolls, immersing myself in imaginative play. However, in my experience, school fails to appreciate creative children. It prioritizes molding identical math drones. In second grade, I was placed in a special education program for dyslexia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and nonverbal learning disability.

After years of feeling misunderstood and labeled as stupid, my self-esteem plummeted. I became a suicidal 9-year-old, harming myself every night in solitude for many years. I journaled, wrote poems and songs, and drew pictures depicting my mental health struggles, which marked the beginning of my musical and artistic journey.

School was a nightmare for me, and I barely made it through high school. There were times I nearly dropped out or seriously harmed myself. Despite this, I persevered, counting down the days to high school graduation.

When I finally graduated, I felt immensely proud. Knowing I didn’t want to attend college after enduring 12 years of torment, I had an exciting path planned. Having started playing shows at 14, I had connections with venues and bands in town. My plan was to work, play as many shows as possible, and spend time with my long-term boyfriend. At my graduation, seeing how proud my boyfriend and parents were of me reassured me that I would be okay. I had made it.

One week after graduation, on June 15, 2017, my mother unexpectedly picked me up from my first job at TGI Fridays. Her strange demeanor alarmed me, and my mind raced to my sister studying in Tunisia. Assured of her safety, my mother took my hands and delivered the devastating news: my boyfriend had died in a terrible accident. I screamed, my voice detached from my body, and I sobbed uncontrollably.

I never thought I would recover. This wasn’t the life I had planned. I was supposed to play my first headlining show the next day, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I didn’t want to play music again or live in a world without him.

A few weeks later, his bandmates and friends organized a memorial show for him. Despite feeling scared, I remembered his request months before his death: to never stop playing music. So, I played the memorial show, and I haven’t stopped playing music since.

Recently, my health and mobility have declined drastically. Yet, I feel capable of conquering this latest trial. I’ve been trained by life’s difficult events. I am tough, resilient, and I don’t plan on ever giving up.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

At 25, I’ve learned a lot, and there’s still more to come. But one lesson that’s been a big one for me is about boundaries. Especially in the U.S., we’re all about pleasing others. We’re taught to say yes, even when we want to say no. Canceling plans is like a social crime.

Boundaries aren’t about being rude; they’re about respecting yourself. It’s about being firm about what your needs and limitations are and not letting people walk all over you.

So, in the past year I have started setting boundaries , even in small ways. Saying no to things that overwhelm me or taking time for myself. It feels weird at first, but i have come to realize it’s necessary. Boundaries aren’t selfish; they’re about looking after yourself.

When I first started setting boundaries I actually lost a best friend of 10 years.
We had a unstable and toxic relationship for years. She is a very domineering person who continuously made it feel emotionally unsafe to assert boundaries. I had lot of long therapy session’s about this relationship and I came to the conclusion that I was going to try asset some boundaries with her. I was really scared to set these boundaries with her. As I expected she became threatening and hostile. I stuck to my guns though, and stayed firm with my boundaries. It was my first time ever setting a firm boundary with her where I didn’t give in or apologize for having the gull to state my needs.
It’s been year since we spoke and I find myself more confidentially asserting boundaries in my life. I have become closer to myself. Having self respect for myself has made a world of difference. You should try it sometime!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Badboy_bug
• Facebook: @buggylu
• Youtube: Bad bug and Bad boy bug

Image Credits
Logan Pace Deanna Gusman