Doug Locke

Doug Locke is an American singer, songwriter, actor, model and host. As a recording artist, he is known mononymously as Locke.[1]  Locke was born in Houston, Texas to Gene and Aubrey Locke. 

Doug Locke
Locke performing in Hollywood, California
Background information
Also known asLocke
BornApril 7th
Houston, Texas, U.S.
GenresPop, R&B, dance
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter
InstrumentsVocals
Years active2013–present
Websitewww.locketheartist.com

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, Doug appeared in multiple productions including: The Crucible, Blues for Alabama Sky,[2] The Pajama Game and She Stoops to Conquer. 

During his time at Occidental College, Locke began performing at open mic events and talent showcases.[3]  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.[4]

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[5] 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, and the Gareth Emery produced web series "We are CVNT5"[6] created by Garreth Emery.  He has appeared in international print campaigns for Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Bacardi, Subaru, Contiki 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.

In 2015 Locke released his debut EP “Blue Heart” featuring #ThisCouldBeUs[7] as the lead single. His musical influences include Prince, Jimi Hendrix, Lenny Kravitz, Michael Jackson, Beyoncé and Madonna.  His work has been featured in The Huffington Post,[8] Out Magazine,[9] Idolator,[10] GLAAD,[11] Logo's NewNowNext,[12] Upworthy.com,[13] PopMatters.com,[14] Blurred Culture and many others.

The single “#ThisCouldBeUs” hit no.32 on the iTunes Hot 100 chart (Barbados) and the music video went viral and has more than one million views to date.[7]  The video was embraced by the LGBT community for its touching portrayal of unrequited love, and was featured in the 2015 Massimadi film festival in Montréal. 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.[10] His third single "Rendezvous" featuring Kaleena Zanders premiered on January 24, 2016 on the popular site AFROPUNK.[15]

Doug Locke performing live at The Roxy in Los Angeles, CA.

“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.  In addition to playing shows all over Los Angeles (including The Hotel Café[16][17] and Club Moscow), Locke recently headlined Portland Pride.[18]  In November 2017 Locke opened for Gavin Turek as support for her "Good Look For You" tour stop at The Roxy in Los Angeles, CA. He has appeared on kCal/CBS ‘Morning Show’ in Los Angeles and ‘Great Day Houston[19][20]’.

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 80s horror cult classic film The Lost Boys and premiered with Out Magazine.[21] The video was nominated in the "Best Indie Music Video" category of the 2018 Queerty Awards (The Queerties).

Locke released his "Black Travolta" EP on May 8, 2020. This is the first in a series of 3 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.".[22] The second EP in the series, "Why?" (Lunar II), is due to be released on Friday June 26th 2020.

Discography
  • Blue Heart (EP) (2015)
  • In or Out (Single) (2018)
  • Black Travolta - Lunar I (EP) (2020)
  • Why? - Lunar II (EP) 2020

References
  1. "Official Website". LockeTheArtist.com. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
  2. Flake, Morgan (10 November 2008). "The Occidental Weekly". Blues for an Alabama Sky. Archived from the original on 28 August 2016. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
  3. Texier, Fanny (2 March 2010). "The Occidental Weekly". Archived from the original on 28 August 2016. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
  4. Strauss Swanson, Charlotte (20 October 2008). "The Occidental Weekly". A Taste of Oxy. Archived from the original on 23 June 2016. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
  5. "Sustainable LA at SilverLake Film Festival". Retrieved 23 June 2016.
  6. "We are CVNT5". IMDB. Retrieved July 13, 2018.
  7. "YouTube". #ThisCouldBeUs. 19 August 2014. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  8. Nichols, James (18 August 2014). "Doug Locke Debuts #ThisCouldBeUs". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
  9. James, Diego (12 May 2015). "Doug Locke's King will inspire you". Out Magazine. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
  10. Gracie, Bianca (4 May 2015). "Doug Locke Fights Against Bullying In "King" Video: Idolator Premiere". Retrieved 23 June 2016.
  11. Townsend, Megan (22 August 2014). "GLAAD". GLAAD. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
  12. Brathwaite, Les Fabian (21 August 2014). "Gay Lovers Reunite After 45 Years In Touching "#ThisCouldBeUs" Music Video: WATCH". NewNowNext. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
  13. Orr, Matt (24 August 2014). "2 Beautiful Men Have A Love Affair In 1969, But The Last 10 Seconds Will Break Your Heart". Upworthy. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
  14. Begrand, Adrien (17 August 2015). "Doug Locke - Style on Fleek". Pop Matters. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
  15. McLendon, T. "PREMIERE: LA singer Locke dazzles on his alt-pop single "Rendezvous" ft. Kaleena Zanders". www.afropunk.com.
  16. Phoenix, William (10 December 2015). "Doug Locke performs at Hotel Café". AXS. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
  17. "Electric Frontier, The Proof, Athena, Doug Locke". LA Weekly. 20 May 2016. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
  18. Sylvestre, Alan (14 June 2015). "Hundreds Gather in Portland for Pride Northwest Festival". OPB.com. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
  19. "KING live on Great Day Houston". YouTube. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
  20. "#ThisCouldBeUs live on Great Day Houston". YouTube. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
  21. Zane, Zachary (October 26, 2018). "PREMIERE: Doug Locke Serves Sexy Bisexual Vampire Realness in 'In or Out'". Out Magazine. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
  22. Roldan, Rey (May 28, 2020). "Country Disco Casanova Doug Locke Shows His Sequined Sass in "Black Travolta"".
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