"Consistency is the One of the Main Factors to Independent Success" - An Interview with STM
Below is an interview with Houston, Texas-based independent artist, producer, and mixing engineer STM.
Auteur is a word generally reserved for film directors, but I believe that it also applies to music. Specifically, those who build entire sonic worlds from the fabric of their imaginations. STM is one of these artists, building whole other dimensions with her music, to the point where you feel like you have stepped through a portal and entered a glittering world in cyberspace that exists under endless purple skies.
STM writes, records, produces, and engineers all of her music, and below we discuss her setup, what plugins she uses to achieve that ethereal angelic sound, how she has had so much success as an independent artist, and more!
Connect with STM
Bandcamp | Instagram | X
Eimear O Sullivan, Musicngear: What is your production and recording setup like? (e.g gear, DAWs,synths, anything relevant!)
Hardware-wise, I use a self-built Windows desktop PC, a MOTU M4 audio interface, Yamaha HS 7 monitors, Audio-Technica ATH-M50X studio headphones, and a Novation Launchkey Mini 37 MK4 MIDI controller.
Software-wise, I use Ableton Live 12 Suite for my entire production and recording process. Some of the main VSTs I use are Serum 2, u-he Hive 2, Diva, Kickstart 2, ShaperBox, Valhalla Shimmer & Room, FabFilter plugins, Izotope Ozone 11, Glitch 2, and Xfer OTT.
Musicngear: Could you talk us through your process for producing and writing a song?
Sure! My process usually starts with laying down a simple looping chord progression using a bass line or atmospheric pad. From there, I'll add some melodic variations depending on how I want the song to evolve, sketch out a rough arrangement, and usually add a simple drum pattern before I start recording.
For vocals, my favorite way to write vocal melodies is by freestyling gibberish or easy sounds like "lalala" or "nanana." I'll keep editing it until I find a rhythm and flow that I like. Then I'll choose a lyrical theme, which is usually inspired by the vibe of the instrumental, and then write lyrics around the melody by matching the words and syllables to what I originally freestyled.
Then I start adding more details to the instrumental and arranging everything more intentionally. I usually go through several versions before I consider a song finished. I'm a perfectionist, so I like taking breaks in between versions and coming back with fresh ears to figure out what the song still needs. This process can take weeks or months.
Musicngear: Your vocals are so ethereal - could you maybe talk us through some plugins you like to use for processing them?
Thank you so much, that's very sweet! I mix my vocals using Ableton's stock compressor, a low cut + high-end boost with EQ Eight, a noise reduction plugin called CLEAR, and usually some kind of stock chorus or flanger.
My favorite plugins for adding space are Valhalla Shimmer and Ping Pong Delay. Shimmer gives my voice that long, ethereal reverb tail that almost makes everything feel like it's glowing in audio form. The delay helps my voice fill up the headphones and makes it feel way more ethereal and hypnotic.
Musicngear: The visual worlds of your music are so rich and vivid - what movies/tv-shows (or graphic novels or manga or visual art in general) inspire these?
Thank you! I'm inspired by a lot of anime like ‘Ghost in the Shell’, ‘Serial Experiments Lain’, ‘Macross Plus’, and ‘Sailor Moon’. A huge part of my identity also comes from Vocaloid culture. I grew up obsessed with Hatsune Miku and always thought it was so cool that she became this virtual pop star with an entire world and culture around her. But more than anything, I'd say I'm inspired by my dreams and anything surreal, otherworldly, or dreamlike in nature and technology.
Musicngear: Could you discuss managing the live show side of things as an indie artist?
Live shows are so much fun. I've been blessed to play over 30 shows throughout my career, and I still learn something new from every single one. I'm nowhere near an expert, but I've grown so much since I started. Stage fright and performance anxiety has always been a struggle for me, so it took years to feel comfortable on stage and allow myself to truly be vulnerable with an audience. Even today, I still struggle with performance anxiety sometimes.
There's also so much that goes on behind the scenes. Finding a booking agent, writing a technical rider, making a press kit, promoting the shows, rehearsing, and preparing everything for a live DJ setup can be really intimidating. Touring is expensive too, and I've invested a lot of my own money into microphones, custom in-ear monitors, cables, merch, and other equipment to make these shows happen. It's definitely an uphill process that takes time to learn.
Even though it can be stressful and extremely nerve-wracking, I love being able to travel, explore the world, and connect with both familiar and new fans. There's something magical about being on stage and giving people an experience they'll remember. Meeting everyone after the shows is probably my favorite part.
Musicngear: You have had massive success as a fully independent artist: could you maybe share some tips with our readers on how you promote your music (YouTube, social media and DSPs etc), and building a following on social media?
Thank you! While I still think I have so much more work to do, I really believe consistency is one of the main factors to independent success. Learning how to stay productive, discipline yourself, improve your skills, and network with others is so important. You can't expect other people to make miracles happen for you, so I think you have to develop a mindset where you're willing to learn how to do things yourself. And I mean learning everything. It's always better to keep trying and fail than to never give yourself the chance to succeed at all.
Having a clear vision of who you are, what you want, and what you're trying to communicate to your audience is also really important. For me, that meant learning how social media algorithms work so I could actually get my music in front of the right people. As an independent artist, you have to put yourself out there because otherwise, how is anyone supposed to find you? I also think people want a real human being to connect to the music, so don't be afraid to put your personality into what you do.
TBH, embracing the cringe is part of growing. If you genuinely love what you're doing, keep putting yourself out there even if it feels awkward at first. Social media can be really draining for me, so I still take breaks when I need them. Not everything has to be high effort either. Sometimes a simple, repeatable idea with a good hook is enough to get someone's attention, and then the music can speak for itself. I think your visual world should complement your music too, so tying that identity into everything you post can make people understand your vision even more.
About Eimear O Sullivan
Eimear Ann O Sullivan is a multi-genre music producer, audio engineer and vocalist. After receiving a Masters in Music Technology from the CIT Cork School of Music, she went on to operate as a producer under the name Blakkheart. Her releases have received critical acclaim from Ireland's biggest music publications, such as District Magazine and Nialler9, alongside receiving heavy commercial radio airplay. She currently works in Cork recording studio Flashpoint CC. Previous clients of hers include the likes of Comedy Central’s Dragony Aunt star Candy Warhol, rapper Darce and Outsider YP. (Photo credit @Fabian Boros)
Contact Eimear O Sullivan at eimear.o.sullivan@musicngear.com
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