Rising from the streets of Houston, Texas, Stephania Martinez, a.k.a. LASPOOKY, has become a household name within the Texas House community. Opening the main stage at this year’s Lights All Night festival in Dallas, LASPOOKY is pushing the boundaries of Latin Tech-House and truly making a name for herself. As a one-woman show, she handles everything from producing, singing all her own vocals, DJing, and her unique heuristic style of mixing; this powerful woman is going to do great things 2025.
Exploring her challenging upbringing and humble beginnings as an artist, LASPOOKY discusses how she got into music, future plans for the upcoming year, and much more. Recently, I sat down for a coffee break in the heart of Dallas, TX, to learn the story behind those dark-rimmed glasses and captivating smile.
So, tell me a bit about yourself and your musical background.
“I am a Mexican-American born in Houston, Texas. I moved around quite a bit while growing up. I’ve never been in a stationary place for too long; I think I attended four different high schools. I was raised by a single mother, so the family dynamic was ever-changing. It was really difficult to keep up with hobbies and extracurricular activities in school, except for music. Music has always been embedded in me. “
After developing a love for singing and joining the honor choir in the 5th grade, LASPOOKY’s passion for music only seemed to grow. Singing mariachi as a young adult, she knew that she was destined for greatness in some form within the music industry. However, following her mother’s voice of reason and practicality, she began studying broadcast journalism in college and eventually became a New’s anchor for KPRC Channel 2 in Houston and a reporter in Midland-Odessa.
She eventually retired from the news and moved to LA to study law. Feeling stuck and unfulfilled, she began to dabble in the art of DJing. Working as a paralegal by day, she started renting equipment from Guitar Center and began experimenting with mixing in her spare time. After being thrown into the water by her friends and peers, her true passion began to reemerge.
Where did the name LASPOOKY come from?
“When I was younger, I lived with my grandma and my single mom, moving around a lot, as I mentioned earlier. I hung out with a lot of “bad kids,” you could say—Cholas, gangsters, you name it. As I entered middle school, I was the quiet one. Because we moved so often, I used to get free lunches and was bullied by some of the other kids. I remained more reserved but was also never afraid to voice my opinion.”
“I had a friend named Jeanette who moved to Texas from East LA. One day, she told me, “You know who you remind me of… You’re just very spooky and mysterious. I’m going to call you LA SPOOKY…” So I became LASPOOKY because of my personality. Eventually Instagram became a thing, and we as a collective put our names out there. But I’m the only one who never changed mine. It’s funny enough that some people don’t even know my real name.
What sparked/led to your journey as a DJ/Producer?
The first person who really put me to the test was a really good friend named B-bounce. I remember he asked me one day, “Hey, do you want to start DJing?” And I was like, “Yeah, of course! Alright, we’re going to book a 3-hour session right now, and you’re just going to spin… I don’t have a USB, I don’t know your music, I don’t have anything prepared…” “You can use mine,” he said confidently. “You know music theory, don’t you?” “Yeah, I’ve played music all my life… well, there you go he replied…”
B-Bounce is the guy I released my first single with, “GLO Baby.” He really put me on the spot that night, and I will forever be grateful. It gave me a sense of being able to DJ and to put different things together, figuring out what works and what doesn’t. Just having fun with it. Now, fast forward to today, and I’m two years in, and only continuing to grow.
Who were some of the influential people and artists who helped you early on?
“So I used to work for Insomniac, doing hair and makeup for artists at festivals. I was working as a part-time contractor at the time. I would hang out in the artist lounge, mingling with all the different artists…
“I didn’t know anybody and was recently going through a breakup. Then, I met Adam Auburn, who welcomed me with open arms. He’s the guy who manages everything and is a really good friend of mine now. From there, I got to meet some of my really good friends as well, like Bleu Clair, Savage, Metroda, and others well-known in the industry. They would take me to the studio with them, and I was forced to witness the creation of things. Unconsciously, it sparked something in me and made me think, if these people are doing the work and having fun with it, why can’t I?“
In your own words, how would you describe LASPOOKY’S sound?
“ I would say some groovy drums, heavy bass lines, and hard-hitting vocals. I want something engraved in your brain so that when you walk out of the set, you’re still singing the song I played in the middle. I want to bring different elements and unique synth sounds; I’m not your typical tech-house or Latin-house DJ. I aim for something that really brings that groove out of you—heavy grooves, deep synths, and remarkable vocals. I love incorporating a lot of my cultural background from the Latin community, including drums, Spanish vocals, and more.”
What would you say sets LASPOOKY apart from other House acts?
“ I think about the community I have built and the people around me. My sound is dependent on my culture; it also carries a message. I don’t just do a set or an hour’s worth of music. I tell a story from beginning to end. I want to take you on a journey, not just provide your typical DJ set… I believe the journey itself is what draws the crowd and adds uniqueness to my sound. The embedded culture layered on top of the sound, mixed with storytelling…”
“At Lights All Night, I wanted to tell the story of the song I introduced. I created a blend of “GLO Baby” mixed with “Drop That Shit,” and I incorporated a narrative about a guy speaking to a girl. I wanted the crowd to sing these lyrics back to me while I performed on stage. Then, in the middle, you hit them with something fresh and unique, kind of like a plot twist, then switch it back to the journey. A great artist who does this well is Cloonee.”
So, for those who follow you on Instagram and know you’re into health and fitness, how hard is it to maintain that healthy lifestyle with the schedule of a DJ?
“With late sets, you wake up whenever your body lets you rest. Then you go to the gym, and your day is gone. Recently, I’ve changed my mindset a little bit. If I have a show, I do the show and then wake up kind of early the next day, feel a bit tired but get on with my day as normal. Then at the end of the day, I go to sleep early and do sort of a clock reset. I also watch what I eat and don’t drink anymore….”
“ …So before, I wasn’t able to manage it. When I first started out, I used to drink because of my nerves. Now, I do it for the love of the music and not the party aspect, which really helps keep me grounded and focused on my craft as an artist, preventing me from getting lost in the party sense of it.“
So, going into 2025, what are some of your plans for the upcoming year?
“I haven’t released a single since Glo Baby dropped a year ago. I really want to get back to more producing and out-of-state shows. I also want to give back to the communities that really helped me when I first started out. So, it’s more about polishing my sound in the studio and working on some new singles or possibly an EP. I view an album and a tour as a reward; I genuinely want to give back to the community and do some pop-up free shows for my fans.”
What would you say to someone interested in checking out a LASPOOKY set?
“Come with an open mind and open heart. The people around my sets are amazing. I met my TM on the set of San Pacho. I want people to feel the music, heal from it, and have a place to escape. Let the music speak to you. If I’m telling a story, interpret it however you want. Embrace the people around you; all we have is human connection, and music brings that all together.”
“Especially at my sets, there’s no barrier. It’s a dance floor and music and one person navigating the energy of the night. I just want people to really enjoy it.”
