Meet Calli S. | Photographer, Videographer, Interviewer, Event Host, Artist Manager

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

Hi Calli, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My thought process behind starting Cloud Kill was really about having a platform to give further exposure and organic reach to underground artists. Primarily the underground rap scene. I work in the Los Angeles and surrounding areas. I also reach out to artists across the states and around the world. The thought was to unite these artists with the events I provide as well as give them exposure through my other offers such as media and design. Some of these artists in other states use my events as an opportunity to come out and check out Los Angeles. I am an artist manager as well, and one of my artists have played events out here and have moved out of state to live here in California permanently. With my media I conduct interviews, take photos and shoot live sets at events. This content is to help gain more exposure for the artists so they can share what they are up to with fans both old and new.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
What I think sets Cloud Kill apart from others is that we offer so many different services that are all still under the same music umbrella. We are not just a one craft brand. We offer photography, videography, digital art and design, music event host, interviews as some of our basic offers. We work together with an artist to ensure creative control for them so we can execute their ideas and bring them to life.

What I am most proud of is the fact that we have covered many larger artists in the scene as well as locals. I am proud of what we achieved so far and look forward to see what the future has for me and my team.

I am where I am today because of dreaming and believing an idea and bringing it to life. One thing I like to say is dreams are only dreams until you make them your reality. Never think your dream is too small. I started out filming and interviewing Metalcore bands back in 2011 under my metal brand Liberate Justice Ent. I literally started out with a $30 video camera from Big Lots and the lens was a piece of plastic. I just kept going and before I knew it I met all of my favorite bands so I wanted to slide in a different direction. No better time than now to announce that Cloud Kill will now be covering bands as well as artists. We are expanding and touching our roots. The name Cloud Kill comes from a Metalcore term called “crowd kill” and that means to go crazy in the pit, in a sense. So we have always kept open an avenue for Cloud Kill to join ranks with metal. I also went to school at Chaffey College and got my AS and AA in music. So all of the commercial accepts I am working under such as a promoter is all educational assisted. I can, do and love to record. I just have not had the time recently but it is something I am looking at getting back into during the summer.

It was not easy to get to where I am today. I went through many hardships in order to find someone I could truly trust on my team. It honestly does not matter how long you have known someone. Loyalty comes in different forms and time is not one of them. All I can say about that is trust your intuition and really focus on matters of your business by yourself. And if you find yourself in hardships, never give up because before you know it, you will be back on top again and sailing in the right direction.

What I want the world to know about my brand’s story is that we are here for aspiring artists and musicians. These next up artists and musicians can use us as another platform for exposure. We also love putting this out for the people so if someone missed an event they can enjoy watching it from home on our channel. We are also very supportive of mental health awareness as we also have lost people in the battle. We are an ear and an open hand if needed as well as a source of encouragement for artists, musicians and fans.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
For me in L.A. the best hang out spot is Melrose and Fairfax. You will catch artists on the street just chilling on a weekend, hanging out. I also love Little Tokyo for all of the good eats and anime shops. My favorite place to eat is Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles in Hollywood. I also enjoy L.A. street tacos and authentic Mexican food. Fun people would be other artists. I try to have artists link together when they come to town. We sometimes kick it in home studios as the artists check out each other’s music. Another must hang is shows. Local L.A., O.C. or I.E. shows.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to shout out to my team Rb_prod all the way from Algeria! He has been an important aid to both me and Cloud Kill. He is an amazing digital creator. He helps with everything from video and photo editing as well as doing cover art and logo creation. He has also helped me with show flyers and even animated logos and flyers. We have also even created a music video together and have plans for more. He is super creative and I don’t know where I would be right now without Rb_prod, Rayane.

Also huge shoutout to my friends and followers for being supportive and encouraging me on a daily basis.

Website: https://linktr.ee/cloud__kill

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cloud__kill/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CloudKillCA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CloudKillCA

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/cloud__kill

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@cloud__kill

Image Credits
Me and Smrtdeath
Tr99zy aka YungTree
Fish Narc (G.B.C.)
Chxpo
Smokeasac and Lil Xan