Music Listening Platforms

 Aloha & Feliz Jueves!

On a light & fun note, let's discuss music.

With both music and writing common forms of entertainment (& therapy!) for billions of people around the world, many corporations have taken advantage of this opportunity, designing apps, with free trials and incentives to get subscribers (which in turn, earns them more investment to expand, as investors’ keep a close eye on a company’s subscription base, which is a key predictor in future success/potential for growth, increasing ROI.)

Since I began utilizing my first mainstream digital music platform "Pandora" in 2004 to present-day where I test many platforms (judging/using them, based on a myriad of factors - including free service, download availability, the amt of ads, 'free' skips, user interface, etc), I have seen many changes. 

Currently, my absolute favorite platforms (from a free/non-subscription service POV), ranked in my preference begins with #1) SoundCloud (incredible variety of songs/remixes and only $5.99 a month to upgrade to subscription service!), #2) Pandora (recently returned to this platform, based on my BF's recommendation!) and iHeart (although commercials can get long!). All three of these platforms have the ability to play in your phone's backround so you can text someone back or check email, 

If paying subscription fees, YT Music is a decent choice, however their ads are incredibly pervasive, on the free version. Ironically, but not surprisingly, they charge some of the highest fees of music apps to join - so not only they are making money off consumer, but from marketing revenue! Given my current circumstances, these days I don't like to use YT these days. Back when I had access to my funds & could afford to pay fees on a regular basis, I loved using Spotify! For many years, that's where I'd create playlists - many of which are still available. (See my retired Instagram "Ultraheidi" for a direct link to my account.)

On a throwback note, I recently downloaded Shazaam (an old fav, which I discovered in 2009!). I haven't quite used it... suppose, I'm waiting for the right opportunity. Maybe Cameron's Pub in Half Moon Bay? You never know! I enjoyed dinner with the gentleman in charge of kareoke on Valentine's Day this year. And also got to see "Elvis" sing - a story for another day!

No matter which music listening platform you use, all can be fun in their own way and have come a long way since 2000, when Napster/mySpace were popular platforms at my undergraduate college. And let's not forget how popular bootlegging was at that time!

**This post is dedicated to my son. I sure do hope he gets to play his music loud one day, in a truly free country.**

With Good Vibes,

Heidi