Artist Spotlight is a segment that we started to introduce our listeners to some deserving up and coming artists/ bands. They have made an impact on us for all of the right reasons. We think they kick ass and we hope you do too! Today, we’d like to introduce you to  musician, writer, actress, entrepreneur and all around bad-ass Alexx Calise!  

 “I don’t feel sorry for being who I am”, proclaims sharp-tongued singer, guitarist and songwriter, Alexx Calise. Delivering a sound that is both fresh and uniquely her own, Calise combines crunchy rock riffs with probing lyrics and hooky pop melodies. 

Told throughout most of her career to not play guitar as much or at all, and to pursue a more “proven” musical direction, Calise instead chose to focus even more so on her instrument, practicing some 5-6 hours a day, and follow the only direction she knew how to—her own. 

Countless film and TV placements and millions of Youtube hits later, Calise has proven that her torchy vocals, impressive guitar chops and heart-and-soul lyrics are enough to make an incredible international impact, even as a completely independent artist. 

Calise’s hit song “Cry”–which became a web phenomenon almost overnight (spawning hundreds of covers, tributes and dance routines) after it appeared on the Lifetime show “Dance Moms”—-has gone on to sell hundreds of thousands of downloads independently, and charted at #64 on the iTunes rock chart. Its official video features Sia’s muse, Maddie Ziegler, who danced to the song in several episodes of the show. Calise also performed “Cry” on an episode of Dance Moms along with Nia Sioux and Kendall Vertes, and she performed on an episode of “Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition” with Maddie Ziegler.  

Ever-growing and ever-changing, the effervescent Calise is continuing to make waves one small step at a time, currently writing and performing with her band with Dennis Morehouse, Batfarm. She is also a brand ambassador for Guitar World magazine, a freelance writer for a variety of publications including Music Connection, Bass Musician and Guitar Girl, and a small business owner.

Calise’s music has appeared on a multitude of different shows such as “Dance Moms” (Lifetime), “Dance Moms: Miami” (Lifetime), “Last Call With Carson Daly” (NBC), “The Voice” (NBC), Audrina” (Vh1), “Tough Love” (Vh1), “NY Ink” (TLC), “Next” (MTV), “10 on Top” (MTV), “One Tree Hill” (CW), “Texas Women” (CMT) and in the feature film, “LA, I Hate You” starring Malcolm McDowell and William Forsythe.

We recently sat down with Alexx for a short, but fun Q&A session!  

Some artists cite when they heard a specific album or saw a band live as when they knew music was going to be their life. When were you bitten by the music bug? 

Alexx Calise: I got the bug pretty early; maybe 10 or 11. My dad was really the impetus for my becoming a musician. He’s a great guitarist and singer, and he’d always play the James Bond theme and Beatles songs for my brother and I when we were growing up. I was also really influenced by grunge and blues, and I thought bands like Silverchair and Soundgarden were just the coolest, and they had this indescribable, visceral energy. I wanted nothing more than to be a part of that world.

Do you remember your first live performance? What was that like?

I’m not sure if it counts, but I sang “I Believe in You and Me” by Whitney Houston for my 6th grade talent show. Everyone in my school was shocked because they didn’t realize I could sing. I was a painfully shy, introverted “writer girl,” so I’m sure it was a bit jarring for everyone. I think I won 2nd place. I lost out to these guys who did a “Blues Brothers” routine. I guess that’s a tough one to beat.

What’s your most prized collectible in your collection? It doesn’t have to be something music related.

Probably my Gibson Les Paul. I’ve played so many shows with that thing, and it has all sorts of rock and roll grime on there. Pretty interesting story about that one. It’s a white guitar, but it has a pink hue courtesy of my red hair dye. Whenever I sweat, I guess the dye runs down, so it’s permanently stained. It’s either the coolest thing ever or completely gross.

What would the name of your autobiography be?

I Can’t Believe I’m Doing This, I Must Be Nuts

If you could have any celebrity be your inner-voice, who would it be?

Probably Sigourney Weaver. She’s one of the most bad-ass chicks ever, and she takes no shit. I like to think we have a lot of things in common. In case you weren’t aware, I am the biggest Alien nerd ever, so this will come as no surprise. 

(Top and bottoms photos by Anabel DFlux)