Doug Locke
{{short description|American singer-songwriter}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Doug Locke
| image = Doug Locke Club Moscow.jpg
| image_size =
| landscape = yes
| caption = Locke performing in Hollywood, California
| birth_name =
| alias = Locke
| birth_date = April 7
| birth_place = Houston, Texas, U.S.
| occupation = Singer-songwriter
| instrument = Vocals
| years_active = 2013–present
| label =
| associated_acts =
| website = {{URL|www.LockeTheArtist.com}}
}}
Doug Locke is an American singer, songwriter, actor, model and host. As a recording artist, he is also sometimes known mononymously as Locke.{{Cite web|url=http://www.locketheartist.com|title=Official Website|last=|first=|date=|website=LockeTheArtist.com|publisher=|access-date=June 23, 2016}} Locke was born in Houston, Texas to Gene and Aubrey Locke.
Early life and education
Locke is the son of former Houston City Attorney and Commissioner Gene Locke and Aubrey Locke. He is one of five children, including actress Tembi Locke and writer Attica Locke. His uncle is Olympic Gold medalist Frederick Newhouse.
Locke developed an interest in the performing arts at an early age. He participated in theatre and dance summer camps throughout his childhood. After high school, Locke moved to Los Angeles where he earned a bachelor's degree in Theater Arts from Occidental College. While studying theatre, Locke appeared in multiple productions including: The Crucible, Blues for Alabama Sky,{{Cite web|url=http://occidentalweekly.com/uncategorized/2008/11/10/blues-for-an-alabama-skybr/|title=The Occidental Weekly|last=Flake|first=Morgan|date=November 10, 2008|website=Blues for an Alabama Sky|publisher=|access-date=June 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828192127/http://occidentalweekly.com/uncategorized/2008/11/10/blues-for-an-alabama-skybr/|archive-date=August 28, 2016|url-status=usurped}} The Pajama Game and She Stoops to Conquer.
During his time at Occidental College, Locke began performing at open mic events and talent showcases.{{Cite web|url=http://occidentalweekly.com/uncategorized/2010/03/02/bouts-of-spoken-word-steal-the-stage-at-apollo-night-2010br/|title=The Occidental Weekly|last=Texier|first=Fanny|date=March 2, 2010|website=|publisher=|access-date=June 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828190528/http://occidentalweekly.com/uncategorized/2010/03/02/bouts-of-spoken-word-steal-the-stage-at-apollo-night-2010br/|archive-date=August 28, 2016|url-status=usurped}} He began to garner a following based on his elaborate stage shows the featured choreography, wardrobe changes, provocative themes and even once a burning guitar.{{Cite web|url=http://occidentalweekly.com/uncategorized/2008/10/20/a-taste-of-oxybr/|title=The Occidental Weekly|last=Strauss Swanson|first=Charlotte|date=October 20, 2008|website=A Taste of Oxy|publisher=|access-date=June 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160623140339/http://occidentalweekly.com/uncategorized/2008/10/20/a-taste-of-oxybr/|archive-date=June 23, 2016|url-status=usurped}}
Career
Locke was inspired to enter the entertainment industry professionally by the work of his sisters, Tembi Locke (actress) and Attica Locke (writer). He began his career in film and television when he portrayed a young Jimi Hendrix in the Silver Lake Film Festival{{Cite web|url=http://lastheplace.com/2007/04/29/sustainable-la-at-silver-lake-film-festival-2007-how-film-and-music-can-save-the-world/|title=Sustainable LA at SilverLake Film Festival|last=|first=|date=April 29, 2007|website=|publisher=|access-date=June 23, 2016}} award-winning short, "A Technicolor Dream". In addition to numerous commercials, pilots and shorts, he most recently appeared in episodes of the hit television shows, House M.D., Bones, Shameless, and the Gareth Emery produced web series "We are CVNT5"{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8581152/|title=We are CVNT5|last=|first=|date=|website=IMDB|access-date=July 13, 2018}} created by Garreth Emery. He has appeared in international campaigns for Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Bacardi, Subaru, Contiki, Mercedes Benz, GAP and others. Locke has cameo roles in the horror film Excess Flesh, the hit series Jane The Virgin and the Hallie Meyers-Shyer film Home Again, starring Reese Witherspoon. He makes a cameo appearance as "Perry" the Icy Receptionist in his sister's beloved Netflix series From Scratch. Locke has also appeared in music videos by Walk The Moon, Adam Lambert, Halsey and Taylor Swift.File:Doug Locke at The Roxy.jpg
Blue Heart
In 2015, Locke released his debut EP “Blue Heart” featuring #ThisCouldBeUs{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=August 19, 2014 |title=YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jD-rwKznlw |access-date=June 28, 2017 |website=#ThisCouldBeUs |publisher=}} as the lead single. His musical influences include Prince, Jimi Hendrix, Lenny Kravitz, Rihanna, Beyoncé and Madonna. His work has been featured in The Huffington Post,{{Cite web |last=Nichols |first=James |date=August 18, 2014 |title=Doug Locke Debuts #ThisCouldBeUs |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/19/doug-locke-thiscouldbeus_n_5691277.html |access-date=June 23, 2016 |website=The Huffington Post |publisher=}} Out Magazine,{{Cite web |last=James |first=Diego |date=May 12, 2015 |title=Doug Locke's King will inspire you |url=http://www.out.com/popnography/2015/5/12/video-doug-lockes-king-will-inspire-you |access-date=June 23, 2016 |website=Out Magazine |publisher=}} Idolator,{{Cite web |last=Gracie |first=Bianca |date=May 4, 2015 |title=Doug Locke Fights Against Bullying In "King" Video: Idolator Premiere |url=http://www.idolator.com/7591242/doug-locke-king-video-anti-bullying-lgbt-idolator-premiere |access-date=June 23, 2016 |website= |publisher=}} GLAAD,{{Cite web |last=Townsend |first=Megan |date=August 22, 2014 |title=GLAAD |url=http://www.glaad.org/blog/glaad-wrap-love-strange-be-takei-open-max-adler-returns-glee-new-music-kele-okereke-doug-locke |access-date=June 23, 2016 |website=GLAAD |publisher=}} AFROPUNK, Logo's NewNowNext,{{Cite web |last=Brathwaite |first=Les Fabian |date=August 21, 2014 |title=Gay Lovers Reunite After 45 Years In Touching "#ThisCouldBeUs" Music Video: WATCH |url=http://www.newnownext.com/long-lost-lovers-reunite-in-doug-lockes-touching-thiscouldbeus-watch/08/2014/ |access-date=June 23, 2016 |website=NewNowNext |publisher=}} Upworthy.com,{{Cite web |last=Orr |first=Matt |date=August 24, 2014 |title=2 Beautiful Men Have A Love Affair In 1969, But The Last 10 Seconds Will Break Your Heart |url=http://www.upworthy.com/2-beautiful-men-have-a-love-affair-in-1969-but-the-last-10-seconds-will-break-your-heart |access-date=June 23, 2016 |website=Upworthy |publisher=}} PopMatters.com,{{Cite web |last=Begrand |first=Adrien |date=August 17, 2015 |title=Doug Locke - Style on Fleek |url=http://www.popmatters.com/post/196512-doug-locke-style-on-fleek-audio-premiere/ |access-date=June 23, 2016 |website=Pop Matters |publisher=}} Blurred Culture and many others.
“Blue Heart” sports a collection of Electric Pop, Funk Rock, and R&B Soul inspired songs tackling themes of love, sex and empowerment written by Locke and Producer Eric McNeely.
The single “#ThisCouldBeUs” hit no.32 on the iTunes Hot 100 chart (Barbados) and the music video went viral and has more than 1.3 million views to date. The video was embraced by the LGBT community for its touching portrayal of unrequited love, and was featured in the 2015 Massimadi Festival in Montreal. The music video for “KING” (the second single from the “Blue Heart” EP) was released on May 4, 2015, to coincide with National Anti-Bullying Day and premiered on Idolator.com. His third single "Rendezvous" featuring Kaleena Zanders premiered on January 24, 2016, on the popular site, Afropunk.{{Cite web |last=McLendon |first=T |date=January 24, 2017 |title=PREMIERE: LA singer Locke dazzles on his alt-pop single "Rendezvous" ft. Kaleena Zanders |url=http://www.afropunk.com/profiles/blogs/premiere-la-singer-locke-dazzles-on-his-funky-alt-pop-single?xg_source=activity |access-date= |website=www.afropunk.com |publisher=}}
In addition to playing shows all over Los Angeles (including The Hotel Café{{Cite web|url=http://www.axs.com/doug-locke-performs-at-hotel-caf-71996|title=Doug Locke performs at Hotel Café|last=Phoenix|first=William|date=December 10, 2015|website=AXS|publisher=|access-date=June 23, 2016}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.laweekly.com/event/electric-frontier-the-proof-athena-doug-locke-6890762|title=Electric Frontier, The Proof, Athena, Doug Locke|last=|first=|date=May 20, 2016|website=LA Weekly|publisher=|access-date=June 23, 2016}} and Club Moscow), Locke recently headlined Portland Pride.{{Cite web|url=http://www.opb.org/news/article/hundreds-gather-in-portland-for-pride-northwest-festival/|title=Hundreds Gather in Portland for Pride Northwest Festival|last=Sylvestre|first=Alan|date=June 14, 2015|website=OPB.com|publisher=|access-date=June 23, 2016}} In November 2017, Locke opened for Gavin Turek as support for her "Good Look For You" tour stop at The Roxy in Los Angeles. He has appeared on kCal/CBS Morning Show in Los Angeles and Great Day Houston.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yab6kCDoSuA|title=KING live on Great Day Houston|last=|first=|date=|website=YouTube|publisher=|access-date=June 23, 2016}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3R9XiLv-ug0|title=#ThisCouldBeUs live on Great Day Houston|last=|first=|date=|website=YouTube|publisher=|access-date=June 23, 2016}}
His concert film, Locke: Live at Club Moscow, premiered in Los Angeles at El Cid on February 22, 2016, and can be seen on YouTube. On October 26, 2018, Locke released the song "In or Out." The music video has a vampire theme inspired by the 1980s horror cult classic film, The Lost Boys, and premiered with Out magazine.{{Cite news|url=https://www.out.com/out-exclusives/2018/10/26/premiere-doug-locke-serves-sexy-bisexual-vampire-or-out|title=PREMIERE: Doug Locke Serves Sexy Bisexual Vampire Realness in 'In or Out'|last=Zane|first=Zachary|date=October 26, 2018|work=Out Magazine|access-date=October 26, 2018}} The video was nominated in the "Best Indie Music Video" category of the 2018 Queerty Awards (The Queerties).
Black Travolta
Locke released his Black Travolta EP on May 8, 2020. This is the first in a series of three EPs known collectively as the Lunar Series. "Black Travolta" includes country, disco, pop and hip hop influences. According to American Songwriter magazine, "For his new single “Black Travolta” however, 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.".{{Cite web|last=Roldan|first=Rey|date=May 28, 2020|title=Country Disco Casanova Doug Locke Shows His Sequined Sass in "Black Travolta"|url=https://americansongwriter.com/doug-locke-black-travolta-new-music/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607113221/https://americansongwriter.com/doug-locke-black-travolta-new-music/ |archive-date=2020-06-07 |access-date=|website=}} The second EP in the series, Why? (Lunar II), was released on June 26, 2020. The music video for "Why?" premiered on September 24, 2020, with Substream Magazine{{Cite web|last=White|first=Logan|date=September 24, 2020|title=Doug Locke Unveils Powerful Video For "Why?"|url=https://substreammagazine.com/2020/09/premiere-doug-locke-why-video/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101015052/https://substreammagazine.com/2020/09/premiere-doug-locke-why-video/ |archive-date=November 1, 2020 |access-date=|website=}} and was featured by Billboard,{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/9454960/first-out-carlie-hanson-shamir-chaz-cardigan/ |title=Archived copy |magazine=Billboard |access-date=February 6, 2021 |archive-date=February 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213064555/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/9454960/first-out-carlie-hanson-shamir-chaz-cardigan/ |url-status=dead }} and Stitched Sound.{{Cite news|date=October 2, 2020|title=Doug Locke releases his powerful music video for "Why?"|url=https://stitchedsound.com/doug-locke-releases-his-powerful-music-video-for-why/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002212229/https://stitchedsound.com/doug-locke-releases-his-powerful-music-video-for-why/ |archive-date=October 2, 2020 |access-date=|website=Stitched Sound}}
Locke has headlined sold out shows at the Viper Room on Los Angeles' Sunset Strip on November 19, 2022.{{Cite web |access-date=February 1, 2023 |title=PINKTASTIC PLASTIXX, DOUG LOCKE, RED PILLARS |url=https://dola.com/events/2022/11/19/pinktastic-plastixx-doug-locke-red-pillars-tickets}} and gave a legendary performance at WeHo Pride on June 4, 2023
''Phoenix''
On June 23, 2023, Locke released his full length album Phoenix. A review from Queerty states:{{Cite web |last=Filipski |first=Drew |date=June 23, 2023 |title=Carly Rae Jepsen likes them shy, Doug Locke rises like a Phoenix, Tayls goes dom: Your weekly bop roundup |url=https://www.queerty.com/carly-rae-jepsen-likes-them-shy-doug-locke-rises-like-a-phoenix-tayls-goes-dom-your-weekly-bop-roundup-20230623}}
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, while Locke continues to GIVE everything in his live performances, most recently at Weho Pride. Locke's deep and sultry vocals add a unique touch to tracks like "Black Travolta", and his talent and charisma shine throughout Phoenix serving as a must-listen album that effortlessly combines various genres into a cohesive and refreshing musical experience.In support of the album, Locke headlined a sold-out album release show at the Viper Room. Locke was interviewed by Snubb3d Magazine as a part of "The Sit Down" series,{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Y25LzPtubU|title=Doug Locke on The SitDown with Snubb3d Magazine|date=September 14, 2023 |via=www.youtube.com}} and was profiled by Outfront Magazine.{{Cite web |last=Patterson |first=Denny |title=Queer Music Artist Doug Locke is a 'Phoenix' Rising to Stardom |date=July 31, 2023 |url=https://www.outfrontmagazine.com/queer-music-artist-doug-locke-is-a-phoenix-rising-to-stardom/}}
Discography
- Blue Heart (EP) (2015)
- In or Out (Single) (2018)
- Black Travolta - Lunar I (EP) (2020)
- Why? - Lunar II (EP) 2020
- Phoenix (2023)
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.douglockemusic.com/ Official Website]
- {{IMDb name|2335883|Doug Locke}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Locke, Doug}}
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
Category:African-American male actors
Category:American gay musicians
Category:American LGBTQ singers
Category:Male actors from Houston
Category:21st-century African-American male singers
Category:21st-century American male singers
Category:African-American male models
Category:African-American songwriters
Category:21st-century American LGBTQ people