We were lucky to catch up with Alexx Calise recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Alexx, thanks for joining us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?
That’s a tough one (haha). As an artist and creative, I’m naturally tormented. The conflict makes for great art :) More often than not though, I’m happy with my life. I get to make music with my best friend, I have a great family and friends, and I have air in my lungs. My definition of success as an artist has changed a lot over the years. I’m much calmer and a lot kinder to myself.
To answer your other question, I don’t have to wonder what it’s like to have a regular job; I have one (haha). It’s not my ideal situation, but it’s fine for now. The pandemic unfortunately took out a lot of the creative avenues I used to have as far as making money, so I’ve had to pivot temporarily. I’m still writing and playing of course, but now I’m not sweating as much. One thing the “real job” is giving me right now is peace of mind, which is huge.
Alexx, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
For most of my life, I’ve been a writer and musician. I’ve had a crazy musical career that has landed me a ton of placements in film and TV, stints on TV shows and in commercials, and features in major publications like Wall Street Journal and Guitar Player.
I’ve also been a presenter for Guitar World Magazine, a writer for publications like Guitar Girl, Music Connection, and Bass Musician, and a social media manager for companies like GHS Strings and Roswell Pro Audio. I currently play music with my best friend Dennis in our band Batfarm. As of late, we’ve been doing a lot of writing and playing shows, producing other artists, and custom-tailoring music for film and TV.
Photography is a relatively new thing for me; I really started to mess around with it a lot during the pandemic. It had always been a curiosity of mine, and since I had so much downtime in 2020/2021, I started learning more about photography and lighting. I’ve had experience with video and editing since I was in middle school (I went to a broadcasting and communications magnet school from 6th-12th grade), so it seemed a natural progression. I’m currently one of the photographers for Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp and have shot some legendary musicians like Jerry Cantrell, Nancy Wilson, and John 5.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
More than anything, I’d say the best way to support artists and creatives is to patronize the arts. You can do this by attending a show, buying a painting or print, or purchasing a band’s merch. It doesn’t have to be a lot, but this means the world to someone who is trying to make a living creatively. It’s when you don’t acknowledge those who create that it becomes harder and harder for them to do what they love.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is having a creative passion and impetus. It’s truly a gift and not something everyone possesses. My creative energy and drive give me purpose and a reason to get up in the morning. I feel so accomplished every time I write a new song, play a great show, or take a great photo. No amount of money can buy the feeling I get when I walk on stage or the energy I get back from a live audience. If you’re an artist, be grateful that you have such an incredible ability, as it’s something most only dream of.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.alexxcalise.net
- Instagram: instagram.com/alexxcalise
- Facebook: facebook.com/alexxcalisemusic
- Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/alexxcalise
- Twitter: twitter.com/alexxcalise
- Youtube: youtube.com/alexxcalisemusic
Image Credits
Anabel DFlux, Alyssa Armstrong, Daniel Corey