Collection: STM

Houston-born artist Mary, known by the moniker STM, has been making waves in the electronic pop scene since her music blew up on TikTok last year. While her career has skyrocketed recently, STM has been dedicated to her craft for nearly a decade, starting her musical journey at the age of 12. Now, at 21, she's reflecting on her evolution as an artist and her aspirations for the future.

“I think I really tapped into my current genre around 2020,” STM shares. “That’s when I found my sound in electronic pop. Before that, I wasn’t sure where I fit, but things started clicking then.”

While STM has found her niche, she’s also keenly aware of the challenges women face in the genre. "The electronic pop scene is amazing," she says, "but I think it’s very male-dominated. There are so many incredible women in pop, but they’re often underrepresented, especially outside major hubs like LA and NYC. In Texas, people barely know about the women in pop music."

For STM, performing at major electronic pop events such as Heaven or Subculture in LA would be a dream. She admires these platforms for giving electronic artists the spotlight but feels more needs to be done to uplift female creators in the scene.

STM’s artistic journey hasn’t always been smooth. She started out producing trap music, but she was never entirely happy with the style. "When I first began, I was producing songs like 'Fall From Graves' and 'Electronica,' and while those songs got me started, they weren’t what I truly wanted to make," she explains. "Pop music was always my passion, but I didn’t know how to produce it."

Over the past five years, STM has honed her craft and embraced a sound that truly reflects her vision. "I’ve grown so much in that time," she says. "I’ve figured out what I want to create, and I’m finally making music I enjoy. It’s been a long road, but I’m really happy with the direction I’m going in."

STM’s track "Eclipse" is a perfect example of her newfound confidence in her sound. Inspired by the ethereal sounds of Pastel Ghost, a personal favorite of both STM and her producer, the song captures a haunting emotional depth. "When my producer sent me the instrumental, it reminded me so much of Pastel Ghost," she says. "I wanted to capture the dark emotions I’ve felt in the past—feelings of suffocation, hopelessness—but also the idea that love and ambition can help you escape those emotions."

The lyrics of "Eclipse" explore the complexity of feeling out of control, while simultaneously clinging to hope and love as lifelines. It’s this raw emotional honesty that has endeared STM to her growing fanbase.

STM’s breakout moment came with the success of "Sleepwalker," which quickly became her most-streamed song. Despite the inevitable ups and downs of having a hit track, STM embraces the opportunities it has brought her. "That song really anchored me in a niche I didn’t know I needed to be in," she explains. "A lot of people now see me as someone known for this genre, and I love that. Millions of people have heard my voice—that’s something I’ve wanted for so long."

While STM acknowledges that "Sleepwalker" has opened doors for her, she’s already looking ahead to creating even better music. "It’s only going to help my career and lead to more opportunities. I don’t mind the attention, and I’m excited to make more songs that are even better."

Looking to the future, STM is gearing up for the release of her debut album, expected to drop in 2025. The project will feature six to eight tracks, all produced by STM herself. "I’m aiming for a spring release, but nothing’s set in stone yet," she teases. Fans can also look forward to some exciting collaborations with artists like Alice Glass, Lu Athena, and Louis Plugs, among others.

With a clear vision and a growing fanbase, STM is poised to make even bigger waves in the electronic pop world. Her unique blend of raw emotion and futuristic production has already made her a standout artist, and her journey is just beginning.

As STM continues to evolve, one thing is certain: her story is far from over. "I’ve grown a lot, and I’m really proud of how far I’ve come," she reflects. "This is just the beginning."