Meet Alexx Calise | Musician, Writer, and Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alexx Calise and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alexx, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I pursued an artistic career because it’s all I know and all that I want to do. Sure, I could get a higher-paying job in another field, but would I really be happy? I’ve been writing and playing music for as long as I can remember, and it’s the only thing that makes me feel whole. I think it would be a mistake for me not to take advantage of the gift I was given because that’s what creativity is at its core. It’s truly a gift.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’ve been a musician and songwriter for most of my life. What sets me apart from others more than anything is probably my lyrics. I’m a big fan of using double entendres and lyrical compression (as I like to call it), and I really like to probe deeply into the soul. I’m a writer first and foremost, so I think that shows in my music.

As far as how I got to where I am today, it’s a bit of a long story. I won’t bore you with all the details, but I will say it was a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. I also did an immense amount of research throughout the years. Because I’ve always been independent, it was kind of up to me to find my own producers, figure out how to distribute my music, how to get it into film and TV, how to promote myself, etc. I was my own biggest cheerleader. You have to be, because no one is ever going to care more about you than you.

I’ve learned that you need to have a thick skin, be proactive, and most importantly be unafraid to ask for the things that you want. If you don’t, how is anyone ever going to know that you need help?

I want the world to know me for my lyrics and my music. Be it my solo project or my other band, Batfarm, I just want people to be inspired, or at the very least entertained.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There really is so much to do here! I’d probably take them to one of the many hiking trails I frequent (Fryman Canyon, Tree People, or Sandstone Peak), the Griffith Observatory (and then the Hollywood Sign), the Huntington Library, the Getty, and the Sunset Strip (where we’d see shows at the Viper Room and/or the Whisky).

As far as food, we’d eat at the Griddle and Bossa Nova on Sunset, La Fogata in Van Nuys, Boa Steakhouse in Santa Monica, and On The Thirty in Sherman Oaks.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to give my dad a shout-out, because, without his influence, I may or may not be the musician I am today. He inspired me to play guitar because he always played the James Bond theme or Beatles songs for my brother and me when we were growing up. I thought it was the coolest thing ever, and I wanted to be just like him.

Website: www.alexxcalise.net

Instagram: instagram.com/alexxcalise

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/alexxcalise

Twitter: twitter.com/alexxcalise

Facebook: facebook.com/alexxcalisemusic

Youtube: youtube.com/alexxcalisemusic

Image Credits
Tamara Carroll, Anabel DFlux, Daniel Corey, Alyssa Armstrong