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Micki Balder Gets Restless in the Midst of Pandemic with “A Feeling I Once Knew”

Micki Balder’s newest single “A Feeling I Once Knew” (released on October 1st) gives listeners a mix of heartfelt tones and introspective story-driven lyrics set against a dreamy soundscape.

In the midst of the current pandemic, Balder noticed a high number of people experiencing a pandemic-induced life crisis. She took note of the ever-changing lifestyle changes people were making….People were re-evaluating their careers, moving to new cities, and starting new milestones, among other things. Balder found herself experiencing that same crisis and used it as inspiration for her storytelling in her new single “A Feeling I Once Knew”. Detailing the sense of restlessness around her, Balder’s lyrics confront doubt in the face of adversity and the discernment of figuring out if you’re really on the right path. “I started to feel restless, but also stagnant and lacking purpose. I yearned for this pre-pandemic time where everything felt great and busy and exciting and full of life but also felt torn between craving that old life, and needing major change.” Feeling that restlessness within, Balder needed a reminder that she had been happy and content before the pandemic turned everything upside down and that eventually, she would find her way back….. to that feeling she once knew.

Micki Balder is a folksy singer-songwriter writing sad songs for happy people (and ever so occasionally, happy songs for sad people!). Her music is born from a life-long desire to be a character in a musical, unapologetically singing her feelings for the world through simple and poignant lyrics. Though she’s been dabbling with music her whole life, it wasn’t until 2018 when a friendship’s moment of truth unveiled itself in the middle of a Denver coffee shop. She walked home, wrote a song, and has been writing ever since, now a regular at local music venues around her Colorado home. Micki writes from a place of vulnerable storytelling, with people and relationships at the core of her music. She’s been compared to modern folk bands like The Weepies and Mipso, along with classic songwriters like Joni Mitchell and Paul Simon, but she draws inspiration from all over the spectrum — the swing and soul music of her lindy hop days, the earthy folk of Gregory Alan Isakov and Mandolin Orange, the candor and dry humor of John Craigie, or the heartbreak of Sara Bareilles, to name a few.

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Eddie Castillo’s Powerful Ocean Conservation Video Campaign

“We are the last generation that can save the oceans, and we are the first generation that must learn to live without them.” – Silvia Earle

By Altered State Productions

The Ocean Foundation has taken on a mission of critical importance: to save our dying oceans from the irreversible damage caused by human activity. With marine ecosystems teetering on the brink of collapse, the organization’s latest campaign aims to educate and inspire action through the power of storytelling.

Meet Eddie Castillo, Founder of Dallas production company Altered State Productions and media director who’s passionate about the ocean’s survival. His latest project with an ocean conservation organization takes viewers on an emotional journey, blending breathtaking aerial footage with a powerful stewardship message.

“It’s easy to become numb to the devastation happening around us”, says Castillo, “We scroll past images of environmental destruction, momentarily horrified, yet quickly moving on to the next distraction.” While other campaigns often depict the devastation—plastic, trash, turtles entangled in debris—the Last Generation campaign strives to remind us of the beauty we are at risk of losing forever. The brand video captures the ocean’s waves hitting the shore, smooth and therapeutic.

Castillo’s work, reminiscent of National Geographic’s Planet Possible, combines awe-inspiring visuals with a profound sense of responsibility for our planet. Using advanced drone technology, Castillo captured mesmerizing scenes of Hawaii’s North Shore, showcasing the pristine beauty of marine ecosystems under threat. These stunning visuals, paired with philosophical narrations by Alan Watts and a cascade of electronic synths, create a dreamlike quality that blurs the lines between reality and fantasy.

The Ocean Foundation’s storytelling hinges on compelling imagery, reminding us of our collective responsibility to protect these fragile ecosystems. By raising awareness and inspiring change through the power of commercial video production, the project serves as a rallying cry for ocean literacy, species protection, and habitat preservation.

Altered State Productions proudly circulates its media campaign through syndicated sources, utilizing targeted messaging that hits viewers on a different level. “As a media production company, our mission is to create impactful messages that drive real change,” says Brian Medina, Communications Director at Altered State Productions. “We pour our hearts into every project, hoping to make a difference. We’ve successfully generated over a quarter billion dollars in attribution for brands and companies worldwide. If we can do that for profit, imagine what we can achieve for causes worth standing for.”

The media agency’s impressive portfolio includes over 96 nationally aired TV ad campaigns for brands like Jameson, Valyou, and OWN.

In one scene, two young children hold up a surfboard to protect themselves from an incoming wave, playing innocently as kids do. The scene cuts to a breathtaking timelapse of an iridescent coral reef, with aqua blue currents turning the rock. This moment signals that those two kids could be the last to witness such beauty, delivering the hard-hitting message of what we stand to lose—an ocean and all its wonder, and the chance to truly experience it.

In the end, we are faced with the undeniable truth that if we do not act, our children and their children may never know the oceans’ true splendor, leaving behind only a memory of what once was—a heartbreaking legacy of neglect, making the next generation, possibly the last generation.

Altered State Productions is a video production company and digital marketing agency, specializing in video editing services that propel brands with competitive advertising.

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Business

How to Get Your Music on Spotify’s Algorithmic Playlists

Hey there, music maker! Let’s chat about:

* The cool types of algorithmic playlists out there

* How Spotify’s playlist magic works

* Some nifty tricks to get your tunes on these playlists

* Ways to boost your chances of playlist success

* Some final thoughts to keep you inspired

Spotify’s Algorithmic Playlists: Your New Best Friend

Wondering how to get your music featured on Spotify’s playlists? No need to stress we’ve got you covered! Here’s the lowdown;

Option 1; Create a hit song that gains 5,000 to 10,000 streams, within the two weeks of its release. Sounds challenging? Keep reading!

Option 2; Consider using our Spotify advertising campaign to boost your streams and potentially catch the attention of those playlists.

Option 3: Use Spotify ad campaign to trigger the algorithm

Let’s dig in shall we?

Promoting your music on Spotify is like amplifying your voice in a room. Those algorithmic playlists? They’re like winning lottery tickets for artists helping them connect with listeners and even securing a spot, on Spotifys curated playlists. Stuff, right?

Think of these playlists as your music’s personal matchmaker. They introduce your tunes to listeners who might never have found you otherwise. It’s like having a friend who’s always saying, “Hey, you’ve got to hear this!”

Landing on a popular algorithmic playlist can give your Spotify profile a serious boost. And if you’re lucky enough to hit a trending playlist? Well, that’s when things can really take off!

What kinds of algorithmic playlists are out there?

Spotify’s algorithm is like a DJ that knows exactly what each listener wants to hear. Here are some of its greatest hits:

Discover Weekly:
Your personal Monday mixtape, filled with new tunes and old favorites.

Daily Mix:
A fresh playlist every day, blending your faves with similar tracks.

Release Radar:
Friday’s new music party, featuring your top artists and similar sounds.

Your Library:
A mix of your likes, saves, and new releases from your favorite artists.

On Repeat:
The songs you can’t stop playing, plus some new recommendations.

Repeat Rewind:
A blast from the past, featuring your old favorites and similar tracks.

Time Capsule;
Take a trip down memory lane personalized for you.

Spotify Radio;
Craft your playlist inspired by any song, artist or music genre.

Ever wondered how Spotify creates its playlists?

Think of Spotifys algorithm, as a music enthusiast robot with a memory. It observes listener preferences examines song details, adapts, to your listening patterns and notes how people engage with songs.Pretty smart, right?

So, how do you get your song on these playlists?

You’ve got two main routes:

Option 1: Create an amazing song that gets lots of love quickly. Aim for 5,000-10,000 streams in the first couple of weeks. Remember, Spotify also looks at things like user engagement and how well your song fits different playlists.

Option 2: Give our Spotify ad campaign a try. It’s designed to boost your streams and often triggers those algorithmic playlists. Plus, the benefits often continue even after the campaign ends!

Option 3: Use a Spotify ad campaign to trigger Spotify’s algorithmic playlists.

Here are some tips to boost your chances:

Use Spotify for Artists: It’s like your backstage pass. Fill out all the info you can when submitting your music.
Creating music is essential. It’s a no brainer!
Share your music; Put your songs on playlists made by users reach out to curators and promote your tracks on media platforms.
Create your own playlists: Mix your songs with similar artists and try to gain followers.
Keep at it: Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither are music careers. Stay patient and persistent!

What’s next after you hit those algorithmic playlists?

Set your sights on Spotify’s editorial playlists. They’re like the Mount Everest of playlist goals and can really launch your career into the stratosphere!

Final Thoughts:

Music promotion can expose your tracks to new listeners and new potential fans. Spotify is a crucial platform to get exposed. Remember, the key to triggering these playlists is getting those streams quickly – aim for at least 5,000 in two weeks. And the more tracks you create and release, the better your chances to hit the algorithmic playlists.

You’ve got this, superstar! Now go make some noise!