BIOGRAPHY
Doug Locke is an artist from Houston, Texas currently based in Los Angeles. As a musician his influences include Prince, Jimi Hendrix, Lenny Kravitz, Rihanna and Madonna. Doug’s sound is a unique blend of pop and alternative r&b with a rock sensibility. His work has been featured in Billboard Magazine, The Huffington Post, AFROPUNK, Out Magazine, Idolator, GLAAD, Logo’s NewNowNext, Upworthy, PopMatters, American Songwriter, Queerty, Blurred Culture and many others. His Spotify counts over 1.3 Million streams.
His debut single “#ThisCouldBeUs” hit no.32 on the iTunes Hot 100 chart. The music video for this song has over 1.7 million views and his video for “In or Out” was nominated for “Best Indie Music Video” in the 2018 Queerty Awards. Locke returned to Houston to film his music video for “KING” which has a strong anti-bullying message and themes of self-empowerment and love.
In addition to playing shows at legendary Los Angeles venues like The Viper Room, The Roxy, The Hotel Cafe, Harvard & Stone, Dirty Laundry, Sassafras Saloon, and Boardner’s, Locke has headlined Portland Pride Festival, performed at WeHo Pride, as a part of LiveOne’s Music Lives ON Festival and supported Gavin Turek on the “Good Look for You” tour. He has made televised appearances on kCal/CBS ‘Morning Show: Los Angeles’ and ‘Great Day Houston.’ Locke recently released his full length album “Phoenix,” headlined Los Angeles’ legendary venue The Troubadour, played the mainstage at OUTLOUD Music Festival at WeHo Pride and currently produces and performs at “Doug Locke’s Rock N Roll Cabaret,” a monthly residency at Hotel Ziggy on the Sunset Strip.
DISCOGRAPHY
Phoenix - (Album) - 2023
Why? - (EP) - 2020
Black Travolta - (EP) - 2020
Blue Heart - (EP) - 2015
MUSIC VIDEOS
PRESS SAMPLE
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Doug Locke delivers a captivating blend of pop and alternative R&B with a rock sensibility in his latest album, Phoenix. The album showcases Locke’s evolution and growth over a three-year period, symbolized by the title itself, representing hope, rebirth, and transformation, seamlessly blending 80s-inspired dance-pop with guitar-driven elements, all while incorporating disco and house influences for a modern twist. It’s got a little bit of everything, Phoenix serving as a must-listen album that effortlessly combines various genres into a cohesive and refreshing musical experience.
-Drew Filipski, Queerty
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When Doug Locke graced the stage, it was as if a beat dropped. Effortless taste and captivating swag rolled off of Doug with musicality. Everything from the attitude on his face to the spirit in his gait spelled purpose. With backup dancers in sync (Emily Chamberlain, Marlon Pelayo), he sang ‘#ThisCouldBeUs,’ while a guitarist in leopard print (Dakota Compain) shredded alongside him. Doug embodies many different eras – disco, rock, pop – and his voice penetrates a room like you’ve heard it before and need to hear it again. Complete with costume changes, sultry solos by Marlon and Emily, and Doug jumping into the crowd, they held nothing back for a full, fiery 50 minutes. Doug ended the set with his bingeable record ‘Black Travolta,’ but an encore begged the show to go on. Moving like he was born on stage, Doug and his crew closed the show with ‘Chokehold,’ the sizzling single off of his latest album Phoenix.
— Ari Tibi, We Found New Music
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For his new single “Black Travolta," Los Angeles-based artist Doug Locke didn’t merely sew a recognizable hook into an original song… he wove a total banger. Needling that iconic and unmistakable melodic funk riff from The Bee Gees’ disco hit “Stayin’ Alive” into an ecstasy-fueled Ennio Morricone soundtrack, “Black Travolta” turns up the disco bassline in this Spaghetti Western theme song to Full Throb.
— Rey Roldan, American Songwriter Magazine
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"Featuring some stunning '80s style dance-pop paired with country themes and guitar riffs and a bass toned voice that'll reverberate through your whole body, this song gives us everything from Bee Gees' 'Stayin' Alive' to Boney M's 'Daddy Cool'. 'Black Travolta' brings disco into the 2020s, while also giving Locke the chance to shout out his Texan roots once again, this time putting his pride in where he comes from at the forefront."
— Jenifer Gonsalves, Meaww Magazine
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"'Why?' is a question many people have been left asking themselves looking at the events of 2020. One of those people is singer-songwriter Doug Locke, whose new song of the same name directly addresses the violence faced by Black and LGBTQ people this year and throughout history. The brooding song condemns the 'epithets from Presidents as my brothers fall with no justice.'"
— Stephen Daw, Billboard Magazine
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"The standout track, “Why?,” is an alternative R&B song that resonates with an incredibly infectious melody and beat. Not satisfied with just a catchy song, “Why?” carries a massive punch that lasts long after the song ends."
— Logan White, Substream Magazine
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“Doug Locke is a sensual bisexual vampire in his latest music video “In or Out” and damn, we are definitely here for it. Co-written with his producer Eric McNeely, the certified bop blends elements of pop, rock, and dance with an infectious beat."
— Zachary Zane, Out Magazine
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"This song is just as much political commentary as it is fun groove and the featured artist brings a nice soulful balance to the digital, synth-based instrumentation that characterizes Locke’s sound."
— T. McClendon, AFROPUNK
“My mission is to add a little beauty to the world through my art and to inspire others to live in their truth. I believe that there is nothing more courageous than living a life of authenticity. Let us celebrate fierce individuality and practice radical self love though self acceptance and empowerment. I encourage you to take up space, raise your voice, be heard. Here’s to the outliers and the rebels who keep pushing the boundaries; I see you. In the words of Grace Hopper, “It’s easier to ask forgiveness than it is to get permission.”
So, be kind and leave this world a little better than you found it.”
— Doug Locke
INQUIRIES
info@thedouglocke.com