Why is music made? What purpose is there to its creation and the effort it takes to produce? There are as many answers to those questions as there are songs. For one musician out of Los Angeles it's a release and revitalization.

"It's the air I breathe, my reason for living. It's kept me alive and sane, and it's been the outlet I needed whenever I felt alone, ostracized, misunderstood, unappreciated, and weak. If I didn't have music in me, I'd always feel like a huge part of me was missing."

Sharp, yet not without a soul, the music of Alexx Calise is poetry written with a knife, and her performances a transfusion of her own lifeblood. "I've always gravitated to rock music. To me, it's one of the most emotive and passionate genres there are. It's completely raw and unapologetic, quite like myself, so I'd like to think I'm well-suited for it, and it's well-suited for me."

"My father, Paul is a phenomenal guitar player and singer. My great grandfather also played over thirteen instruments. Another great aunt of mine was a classically trained violinist.” she tells us, showing that music really does flow in her veins. "Many of the Calises in our family have an artistic flair. We're Italian, so naturally, we're romantics and lovers of the arts."

Alexx's personal love began within her family church, where the choir awoke something inside. Be it angel or demon, it's possessed her ever since.

"I may have been in kindergarten when I first noticed that I was able to sing, however. I went to a catholic school, and we had mass every week, so I found myself really getting into the hymns. Whether or not I agreed with the messages is another issue entirely, but I was able to appreciate the beauty and power of choral music. Something happened to me internally when I started having my first musical experiences. I found music was the only thing that truly made me feel whole." she recalls. "I just kept going. I entered every talent competition I could find, and hopped up on every stage I could."

Alexx felt further influenced to perform by an innate desire to personify her poetry and writings, saying, "That's why I decided to pick up the guitar."

Moving on from the cloisters of the cathedral to an academic atmosphere, her music of choice struck a few discords amongst the faculty.

"I played "Suicidal Dream" by Silverchair at my middle school's talent show and nearly gave my teachers a heart attack. I actually wanted to be a drummer originally, but my mom was not entirely wild about that idea because of the noise. I'd have to say that I get my stoicism, unwillingness to back down, and strength from her."

"I grew up in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Not exactly the music mecca of the world, but it's a great place for fishing, drinking, and...retiring." she admits with a grin. "Unfortunately, there has never been a time in history when an extremely introverted, creative kid has had a large group of friends. I spent my childhood mostly alone, writing furiously and learning how to play guitar. would hole myself up in my room for hours practicing, writing songs and stories, and listening to the blues. I'm not going to lie and say it was fun, but what I was able to do during those tough years was really hone my craft The things I learned during that time were (no pun intended) instrumental in shaping my musical career, and who I am as a human being. Had I been in the "cool crowd," maybe I'd still be living in Florida serving Margaritas to tourists."

"Who defines "cool" anyway?" the rockette demands. "I was teased for being different of course, but I had more creds than anyone I knew my age."

The creds continue to accrue as she is heard on MTV and VHI, along with her single, "Pull It (Bullet)" rising to a place of prominence as one of highest charting songs in Australia and New Zealand.

"I'm currently working on my solo project, "Alexx Calise". It can be best described as "rocktronica." Basically, we run really heavy, distorted PRS and Gibson guitars through Mesa Boogie amps, and throw a whole bunch of cool house or trip hop samples on top of it. I developed my insatiable love of distortion thanks to Silverchair and Stone Temple Pilots. I'm a sponge, so I absorb everything around me. Good music, good artwork, happiness, sadness, love, hate, life, joy, pain, blood, sweat, tears. There's so much all around me that inspires me and gives me that itch to write. It sounds like (for lack of a better example) Linkin Park had a baby with Jagged Little Pill-era Alanis Morrisette. It's definitely the soundtrack for the ADD generation." she says, and continues, "My other project, Sound of Cancer is a totally different beast however. My songwriting partner, Dennis Morehouse and I are producing everything at home using Logic (recording software), though you'd never know quality-wise because of the amazing converters we have (okay, now I'm getting technical). SOC is very dramatic, emotive and heavily orchestrated, and sounds like a mash-up of Marilyn Manson, Portishead, and Pink Floyd."

Despite her efforts she admits that in the end her music is "unclassifiable". "I'm too alternative to be considered normal, but too normal to be considered outrageous. I think being a hybrid allows you to be a part of everything. Everything you'd like to learn about me you can probably learn from my lyrics. They speak volumes."

"There is a girl named Megan that came out to one of my shows when we were on tour in Massachusetts. She's a really cool girl, and she reminds me so much of myself when I was a kid--baggy clothes, alternative jewelry, against-the-norm disposition. We have been staying in touch online, and she recently wrote me an email saying that she wants to be just like me when she grows up. It was the sweetest thing I've ever heard in my life, and it makes being a musician worth all the blood, sweat and tears a thousand times over. If I didn't love it, I wouldn't put up with half the BS I put up with, and let me tell you, there's a lot."

Without the struggle the reward wouldn't taste half so sweet Alexx has realized, and the benefits of her labors more than make up for it.

"I can honestly say that right now in my life, I feel pretty fulfilled. I'm recording my 2nd album, I just got an amazing new place, I started a new business, I have an amazing family and a fantastic boyfriend, and I feel great. However, there's always something deep inside me that keeps me wanting more. I never feel entirely satisfied. I always want to conquer something and challenge myself. The artist in me is always talking as well. I live in my head, and constantly daydream about being onstage. Music is my calling. I'm doing what I truly love to do."