An Interview with SKTM
TJ—better known behind the decks as SKTM—is an Austin-based DJ and producer turning a lifelong love of music into a fast-rising career. After growing up in Pittsburgh and moving to Austin in 2007, he spent years collecting records, curating playlists, and quietly shaping the vibe from the background before finally stepping into the booth himself. Rooted in grunge, pop punk, hip-hop, R&B, and emo, his sets and productions blend nostalgic emotion with modern dance textures, aiming less to chase trends and more to create real moments of connection on the dancefloor.
Hey, thanks for chatting with us. Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is TJ, and my DJ/Producer name is SKTM. The name is based off of my family of 4 here in Austin, TX. I moved to Austin back in 2007 after living in Pittsburgh for the first 25 years of my life.
I have a lifelong love for music and the energy it brings to people and after years of collecting records, curating playlists, and playing behind the scenes, I finally decided to step into the booth and share the sound that has inspired me.
My style is rooted in grunge, pop/pop punk, hip-hop, r&b and emo, blending timeless influences with modern textures. I’m not here to follow the hype — I’m here to create a vibe, connect with real people, and move a room with intention.
Who or what inspired you to start making music? And, when did you start?
I used to DJ back in college in 2003 then took about 20 years off until being asked by my wife in ’23 to DJ her gala she was running. I did that event that turned into 4 or 5 that then turned into over 40 in ’24. In 2025 I wanted to expand beyond just playing parties and events in Austin.
What is your biggest challenge as an artist?
Reaching new listeners and subscribers.
What is your favorite project or single you have released?
1.2.3 eyes on me because I used vocals from my 10yr old for the hook, and the phrase comes from their school as a way to get the kids to pay attention.
Who are your inspirations? What artists or bands are you listening to?
James Hype, FISHER, John Summit, and the people who just started making music and found a way to make it connect with their audiences.
What’s the process behind working on a song like?
Getting something stuck in my head, then finding a way to translate that to my Macbook to turn it into a track.
Tell me about your upcoming music and what inspired you to create it!
I wanted to use more of a sample to go along with the dance beat. Then I remembered the song from Silversun Pickups that was attached to the Eastern Conference Semifinals of Penguins v Capitals in 2009 and that led to the last song I made.
What are your plans for 2026?
Playing festivals and bigger gigs, and getting over 100K streams.
As he looks ahead to 2026, SKTM is focused on playing festivals and bigger gigs, pushing his catalog past 100K streams, and continuing to turn the ideas stuck in his head into tracks that move rooms with intention. With family woven into his work—like the hook voiced by his 10-year-old on “1.2.3 eyes on me”—and inspirations ranging from global headliners to everyday creators finding their audience, SKTM is building something that feels both personal and communal.
Keep an eye on his journey, because this is just the beginning.