Conversations with Phenix Red

Today we’d like to introduce you to Phenix Red. 

Hi Phenix, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in a small town outside of Madison, Wisconsin. I started writing music when I was 8 years old and recording demos when I was in high school. I paid for my studio time by milking cows and working at the only grocery store in my 900-population town. I moved to Nashville when I graduated high school to start pursuing my music. Recorded many projects that I never put out because it didn’t feel quite like me. In 2015 I started working with different producers and collaborating with local hip-hop artists. At the time I was in a rock band and they weren’t happy with my little solo venture so we broke up and I stayed working on developing my sound and brand Phenix Red. It was a big moment in my life, connecting with my inner world and bringing it to life in the most authentic way I had yet. From there it’s been a journey of becoming a self-sufficient working machine, from the recording process to the videos, everything is done in-house with my small team. I learned how to edit my own videos and got my Recording Engineering degree. Directing and producing my music videos has proven to be a huge passion. Now, in 2022, I’m about to release my best music yet so I can’t wait to see where it takes me. 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It most definitely has not been a smooth road, but at the same time, I am aware of the many ways it could have been harder so for that I am grateful, my career and identity association with it has proven to be a big catalyst for my growth as a human being and therefore expanded my artistry evenmore. Putting aside the monetary struggles, starting brand development in 2015 when the music industry completely flipped upside down with streaming, having to deal with all the sharks in the water when you go to hire ANYBODY in this business, etc… the hardest part through all of that is waking up and still choosing to believe in myself, my music and my purpose and just purely not giving up. For the longest time, I was just purely obsessed with my to-do list, didn’t dare take any vacation, never went out on a Friday night, ignored things that brought me “regular joy” because I thought if I pushed really hard and had no distractions I would better my chances at success. But I plunged myself into a very long delayed depression that ultimately the pandemic of 2020 had me facing head-on. 2021, in the aftermath, I can honestly say it was the hardest year of my life. It was my 4th “rebirth” in this time as a human and I had to face my own “death” figuratively. Along with the old me was my death of the attachments I had to where I was “supposed” to be, death to my expectations period ‘cause they were making me sick. I stopped living any form of life other than pushing and it lead me to being burnt out. And the last thing I wanted to do while I was coming out of that was push myself all over TikTok doing trends or posting meaningless content that makes me feel like my soul is shrinking. So, I basically faced my inner demons, realized I actually stopped believing in myself and it’s because I got so far away from my purpose chasing numbers and accomplishments that made me feel happy momentarily. Now, I am focusing on making the best most honest music, prioritizing my joy, and accepting that my road to success might not have looked like I thought it would but my life doesn’t end in my 20s. MY main goal in this lifetime is to make a positive impact on the world, society, and the people in it and music is my bridge to do that so I’m learning to believe in myself again and staying grounded as I press on. 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an artist, writer, and director. I’m most proud of my lyrics, my energy on stage, and creating authentic bold visuals. The creation of a song, completion of a music video, finishing a big show are the highest highs I have. I used to have a list as long as Santa as to what sets me apart but I don’t need all the bullet points anymore. What sets me apart is I’m me, I’m being authentically me with every move, lyric, and visual and that’s my vibe, that’s something no one else can do because it’s me. That’s an artists superpower. My light and energy is what people come to tap into at the end of the day and I let my light shine. 

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Yes. Don’t be afraid to crash and burn, lose faith in yourself, face those moments where you just want to give up, whatever form of rock bottom you may face… know that that moment is happening FOR you not TO you. It is there to make you worthy of what is yet to come. You must have grace and compassion with yourself, allow yourself to feel it, and then keep moving forward, don’t stop. ON the other side of that moment is your success. Nothing in life worth having is easy. A life without working towards your purpose or dreams is not a life. 

Contact Info:

• Email: Phenixredmusic@gmail.com
• Website: www.phenixred.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phenixredmusic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/phenixredmusic/
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/phenixredmusic/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/phenixred
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3dzJsVhnfcsgEQpUbpYCbu

Image Credits
@DOpecinema
@kkarasaurr