Meet Brody Calix | Performer & Creative director.

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

Hi Brody, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Wow really awesome question!

The fear of risk, in my humble opinion, is mostly illusion. On the other side of that initial fear should be a thorough plan for success, One that is well thought out because you took the time to fail proof the pitfalls!

As the saying goes “Do one thing a week that scares you shitless”. Now that might be my translation or something, but for me personally I usually try to make sure there is some form of risk in most of the decisions i make. I learned very young that being mediocre and playing safe would not get me to the places where i saw myself going in this life. (patience is a virtue i had to work at if you were wondering.) When people are gifted with great ideas, like REALLY great ideas that could change your life trajectory or even the world, it should scare you shitless! People will dump on you and tell you oh its not gonna work etc but ultimately its not their life changing idea, it was given to you and you alone so own it!

Last note: honestly no failure will ever hurt as badly as a, ‘I should have listened to myself”.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m currently at a very proud point in my career when writing this, but to understand it I will rewind to about 15 years ago.

Hailing from a very modest hometown of Youngstown, Ohio, I think one of the first huge risks I took in my adult life was leaving to California for art school. Back at 18 I just knew I liked expressing myself creatively, having fun, and music. 3 things that did not have an industry in the town in 2010. So I packed up the few things I had and moved to San Diego to start school and boy was that road just stop lights, obstacles, and potholes. Oh, the treachery of it all.

Over the 15 years, Cher would probably be impressed with the amount of transformation that has occurred. Starting as a graphic designer, then a marketing director, then a fashion photographer. That position evolved into me opening and running a digital culture magazine for the local area I was in at the time which in turn made me a local celebrity. After that fizzled out, there was a relocation to Los Angeles where I began designing and producing clothes for influential figures around the city, ultimately launching an online store that closed during the pandemic. Later during the pandemic, I decided to get into the music industry as a songwriter and that has brought me to where I am currently at this moment.

To tie in some lessons learned and my personal story, I would say my entire journey has been about the transformative power of determination. If you read paragraph 3 and assumed I didn’t have give-up moments and breaks, please re-read. That is why I am such a strong advocate of radical self-acceptance. Ditch the ego, fight through the self-doubt, and let the negativity fall on deaf ears. If you have the determination to get out there and reinvent yourself you LITERALLY cannot fail.

At the time of writing this, I relocated to Columbus after living in Paris for a bit, working on an album with an artist that we spent a year writing and creating. Touring begins very soon and couldn’t be more excited to move into the next chapters of my career in the music industry!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Okay, now we are talking! So for sure, the trifecta has to be in Effect: Kinks, Drinks, and Hijinks!

First off is Kinks, Monday is shopping! You already know the spots Easton, Polaris, and Thifting. I gatekeep of course but if you follow me on IG maybe I’ll tell you.

Tuesday and Wednesday are Drinks! We are hitting up the food joints to show them how Cbus does it! Rooftops like Lincoln and Mandrake, upscale like Refectory, Lindley’s, and a Cameron Mitchell are a must. And of course the local spots like Pecan Pennys and Club 185. Also, a Movie since that’s usually $5 movie day.

Thursday is Hijinks prep day – we doing Jiva Med Spa for a facial, get the claws sharpened at Vinci in Italian village, and maybe Penzione if they want to get bangs or something.

Friday is Hijinks, start the night Downtown if there is a Drag Cabaret show at District West and Short North for the rest of the night. Pregame at Short North Tavern obviously,

Saturday is early rising and going to Fox in the Snow cafe for probably your only meal of the day. I definitely would make sure my friends came in town for a Tailgate Saturday so we would be at the horseshoe at full goblin mode. Maybe south side bars after for some LGBT behaviors.

And Sunday if they haven’t tapped out yet would be a pool day, unless it’s cold then it would be brunch at Union and night Church at Axis.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
OH ABSOLUTELY. I guess off the bat a huge shout out to my Music industry friends in LA! The songwriters, music producers, event coordinators, marketing strategists and performers that inspire and taught me so much! Also shout out to the creative mentors and the supportive friends and strangers that kept the fire burning , and shout out to the jobs that i HATED that reminded me what i was chasing!

Instagram: @brodyliciousx or @acidblonderadio

Youtube: @AcidBlondeRadio