07/04/2025
Wow…There’s so much to say right now.
TLDR - The Acid Mantle is officially back and a full-fledged, woman owned & operated business with its very first employee: Ceya. We (Malia & Ceya) found a really unique opportunity for a dual office/apartment, but we have to jump through some hoops to make it happen. There’s mold and we need help to remove it and make the space healthy and safe. Check out the GFM link for more info.
Here’s the full story:
Back in 2016, I started The Acid Mantle to help promote local music as well as to network and have a platform to share tours I’d book. I’ve been working with bands nearly my whole life now, but in the last 12 years, I’ve booked countless tours, produced music videos, created assets & hundreds of posters, etc. Both within and beyond the music world, I’ve helped guide businesses with their branding, marketing and overall business strategies… and more.
Those who know me know how I’ve spent the last several years struggling through a multiple sclerosis diagnosis, heartbreak, many moves and deep depression. Within the last year, my world was reopened due to the influence of some very critical people who mean a great deal to me.
Bryce has been there since the moment I receive my diagnosis. A long time friend turned into my greatest pillar of support. Our ever deepening connection has helped to create a foundation of trust, stability and self-confidence. The platform of support he has provided me is the reason I am here today. He and my good friend Chelsea have taught me to ask for help, which has changed my life dramatically.
Next, Solomon invited me to be a part of the Big Feelings Nonprofit. Soon after, I became incredibly inspired. The Acid Mantle stirred… I dove in and helped to brand Big Feelings and their many amazing initiatives as well as to grow Screaming Brain; a summer festival in Montana for Art, Music, Skateboarding and Mental Health & the Big Feelings Magazine with nearly identical goals.
Creating a community drenched in art and music has been the core of why The Acid Mantle exists.
It is because of Solomon, I was able to be introduced to Ceya. Ceya, now affiliated with The Acid Mantle as well as RPM Fest & Big Feelings, has been someone who has made it possible for TAM to grow. We work in tandem, sometimes even without words and have forged an amazing path for ourselves and our careers. She’s worked hard to get here and side-by-side, we are able to make each other stronger and “mo’ bettah”. I think someone once said, “ridiculously ride or die”.
Now here’s the hurdle we must jump before we get on the ground running - we found an insane opportunity for our new office, but we need to demo, remediate mold and completely rebuild the space to make it a healthy, safe environment for not only us, but for the community we hope to host there very soon. This is where we hope the community we’ve served in the past would look to the future and by offering a dollar here or there, to help us to continue our initiatives and continue to be of service.
Ceya and I both struggled with how to ask for help when our country is in such disrepair. Ultimately, my thoughts are this:
Yes, I’m starting this business in the worst time possible economically, and I do it in the face of it all. Starting this business now is a fu***ng middle finger to it all. We need art and community now MORE THAN EVER. We are ready to create posters, infographics, videos, events, etc. in the name of dissent. These things will not only help to keep us alive, but also to be mentally well when it feels nearly impossible. We refuse to watch people, our friends and artists, retreat into the dark. We refuse to retreat into the dark.
Please consider donating, if you can. It means the world to us and we can’t wait to give it all back to our community.
Thank you for reading this far - you’re the type of person I love. 🩵 Thank you.
The Acid Mantle Productions, founded by Malia in 2016, is a women-owne… Ceya Sepulvida needs your support for Breaking the Mold for a Creative Seattle Agency
