In it for the right reasons?

There comes a time in every musician's life when he/she asks his/herself, "Why the hell am I doing this? I'm broke, I'm starving, and I'm nowhere near where I want to be or should be..."It's definitely a valid question. As artists, we constantly struggle and sacrifice. We constantly experience rejection. We constantly need to validate ourselves and our art. We're no picnic, and neither is this business for that matter. Ultimately, you have to decide for yourself where it is you want to go, how far you're willing to go for it, and above all, if you're in it for the right reasons...

Having a dream is truly a beautiful thing (and by all means, follow it!), but the reality of this business is, you could have all the talent and drive in the world, and you may never be able to make the connections you need, or sustain a confortable living doing what you truly love to do. If you think that becoming a rich, famous rock star is going to be the answer to all your problems; emotional, financial, what have you, then you're sadly mistaken. Your personal success should not be determined by how much you can make or how famous you can get, but by how you feel inside. If you know in your heart that you won't be happy doing anything else, and there is no other path for you, then you're free, and there's no need to read any further.

Also know that what you do is not who you are. Never in any way, shape or form should you attach your career pitfalls or plateaus to your person. I still struggle with that to this day to be truthful, but I'm learning to accept the fact that having a "bad show," not landing a certain opportunity or not being at a certain level (playing or career wise) is not a reflection of me. I know that I'm a good person, I know I'm doing the best that I can, and I know I do what I do because I love it. Not because I expect anything from it. If you expect nothing, it's always a lovely surprise when the universe actually throws some candy your way.

The only thing you really can do is what you're doing. If, however, what you're doing isn't working, fix it. A major reason why the industry is crumbling right now is because the powers that be are operating the machine with an old manual. You're an artist. Be creative. There are ways to get yourself noticed so long as you put forth the time and effort to find out what those ways are. Don't give up. Just keep on trudging on and remember why you're doing what you're doing.

The key is having patience. Some people spend ten years playing dives and getting shafted before they achieve any kind of success. If you were to experience success instantly and without having to work for it, you wouldn't appreciate it nearly as much as if you had truly bled for it anyway. While you're "waiting," be productive with your time. Get involved in a project you can believe in, write, practice, find out as much as you can about the business.I'm telling you from personal experience that the only way you will be happy and successful in this industry is if you know in your heart that no matter what the outcome, you will always have your music...and yourself. Don't let other people define "success" for you, and certainly don't ever "quit" because it's not paying the bills or it hasn't yet earned you a plaque on the wall. When you picked up that guitar as a little kid, were you really thinking, "Oh man, this thing is gonna make me some bread!" or, were you thinking, "I love this instrument, and I just wanna play"? Maybe your luck will change, maybe it won't. One thing that should always remain constant is your love for what you're doing, and if it means eating Ramen noodles and peanut butter and jelly for a while, so be it. Just play with heart and you'll see that the stars will align for you, promise.

Wishing you much success!

Always,

Alexx Calise

Halloween update!

Hey guys,

As many of you probably already know, I'm out here in California recording some new material and playing a few intimate solo acoustic shows. I've been receiving a lot of emails lately from fans asking if I'm okay and away from all of the horrendous fires that have been going on throughout the state, and I just want to assure everyone that I am, indeed, alive and well. Thousands of less fortunate Californians, however, have lost their homes and everything they own in the blaze. I think it's very important that we all band together and try to help all the poor people who have been affected by this disaster, so please visit the American Red Cross website to find out how you can do your part. I'm also working on a few things myself for all those who are in need now...I will have an update on that soon.

In other news, I've been keeping very busy, and I've really been enjoying my time here in LA, playing such historic places as Pig N Whistle, Cat Club and Rainbow Room, and recording with some of the best in the biz (Luigie Gonzalez, Cristian Delano). I will have my next track, "Good Enough" up soon, so please keep checking back.

Also, don't forget to vote for me for the Blender Battle of the Bands contest. We're in the finals now, and you're the only ones who can help us score a homerun! If you haven't voted yet, you have until November 14, and you can vote up to once a week! Just click here to cast your vote!

Thanks so much to everyone who's come to support me at all my shows. If you haven't seen me in action yet , you still have some more opportunities. Come out and say hi. I don't bite...hard!

Oct 31 - Cat Club on the Sunset Strip at 7 p.m.
Nov 8 - Rainbow Room on the Sunset Strip at 8:30 p.m.
Nov 10 - Cafe Europe on Santa Monica Blvd at 9 p.m.

Hope you're all doing well. Thank you all very much for continuing to support me. Your kindness does not go unappreciated or unrecognized! Keep it RAWKIN'!

Peace,
AC

We Need a Hero...

I remember a day when a DUI meant hard time, when TV shows had scripts, and when celebrities were famous for something other than partying…no more.

I don't mean to be a traitor to my generation or anything, but where the hell are we headed? Even more important, who are our role models?

I know it sounds sick, but party girls and social climbers have become our heroes and idols. I don't know how that happened really. Maybe it's because we've become so celeb-obsessed and fascinated by the jet-setting lifestyle. I'm reminded of the story of the golden calf…

You know what I think the problem is? We're a generation of the moment. We're living in the age of the video game, the celebutants, the Internet, the iPod. We're all about instant gratification and feeling good here and now. Who cares what happens tomorrow? After all, that's just a buzz kill.

Hmmm…maybe these socialites are the poster children for this generation after all. They're just living up to those principles.

However, I must beg the question…what is to be learned from these people? That the law system is a joke? That all you need to do to open doors is open your legs? That sex is just a recreational activity? I mean, call me crazy, but I used to think that you needed to work hard in order to be successful and that there are always consequences for all of your actions.

These people are parasitic. By supporting them, you're continuing the cycle and putting more partying money into their already fat wallets.

I don't understand why these people are considered intriguing or admirable. What the hell do they even do? What are they all about? I mean, if you're a personality, shouldn't you have one? Shouldn't there be something to you that makes you interesting?


What baffles my mind even more so is when I see intelligent, independent, hard-working people watching these brainless, substance-abusing halfwits on TV and giving them even a second of their time. I mean, is this just sick curiosity or actual, genuine interest? Isn't it enough that you can't even go to the supermarket without seeing their faces all over the trash mags at the checkout line; why do we feel the need to watch them on television as well?

All I know is that I see a very, very sorrowful pattern developing amongst people my age. I see us heading backward instead of forward because we don't have anyone to guide us.

I'm where I'm at today because I worked extremely hard and I stood up for what I believed in. Nothing ever came easy and nothing was ever handed to me. I've never done anything underhanded and I've never screwed anyone over for my own personal gain. I'm able to look at in the mirror every day without flinching or hating myself because I'm proud of the woman I've become. I have self respect, morals and values and I have a will that couldn't be broken by anyone or anything.

While I'm not big on quoting the bible; there's a reason for the quote,"Thou shalt not worship false idols...". I just want to state to my peers that glorifying and emulating the vapid, self-serving girls on TV is not in your best interests. Do things your own way because it's much more fulfilling knowing that you've accomplished something by yourself, for yourself...It truly is one of the most rewarding things in the entire world. You don't need to starve yourself to be beautiful, you don't need to not wear underwear to get noticed, you don't need to sleep with someone to get them to like you, and most of all, you don't need to be influenced by certain girls you see on TV.

In your face, David Beckham :)

Hey everybody!
How are all my favorite rawkers doing?! Things are great here in LA. I've been doing a TON of writing and recording. In particular, I've been working on the followup song to my single, "Pull It (Bullet)" with my fave producers, Cristian Delano and Mark Vinten. It's called "Round 2," and it hits you like a smack in the face. David Beckham knows this firsthand...
So last night, in a strange turn of events, I end up in Chalice Studios (my last name actually means chalice by the way...just thought you'd like to know) in LA, which is one of THE premier studios in West Hollywood.

I walk in there and this place is SICK!! It's fully equipped with top-of-the-line studio equipment, VIP lounges, marble floors, munchies (what's with studios baking Toll House cookies by the way?)...you name it, they have it. KoRn was in Studio B, and The Spice Girls were recording in the room behind us.

Then, Cristian has me jump in the isolation booth to start laying down some vocals for the new song we're doing with Mark. I start doing my thing and he calls me back to the control room for a second. As I'm opening the door, Posh Spice and David Beckham come plowing down the hallway with their entourage, and I nearly hit David smack in his face. I offered David an apology, and I offered Posh a sandwich. No takers, though, haha! :)

All kidding aside, we had a blast and I'm sure you all will really dig "Round 2." If you like KoRn, Filter, Saliva, and...Ravi Shankar (don't ask), then this will be right up your alley.

In other news, it looks like I'll be heading out to the land of Oz this winter to do some promotional appearances, so keep checking back.

I hope to get your vote for the Blender contest as well. If I win, I'll get recording time at a top notch Vegas studio, a spread in Blender, and a showcase slot at the SXSW music conference in Austin, TX. So, remember: get on the boat and vote :P

I appreciate all your support guys. YOU RAWK! Have an amazing day!

Peace,

AC