Today we’d like to introduce you to Doug Westcott. Them and their team share their story with us below:
Doug is a Live Looping Solo Artist out of Houston, Texas. A self-taught musician since the age of 12, Doug received his first guitar and started a band at age 13. Mowing lawns to buy equipment, rehearsing in a dirty garage and having his parents drive the band all over Houston to perform, he was making his own way.
“You sound like a young Jason Mraz. The lyrics are fantastic too. Your writing reminds me of a hybrid of The Mowglis, Jack Johnson, and the Avett Brothers in the fact that you can tell you’re speaking from the heart and not just plugging words in to make a song. I’m on board dude!” – Alex Middleton – Producer – “The Rod Ryan Morning Show” 94.5 The Buzz (KTBZ-FM)
Doug played in a variety of bands throughout high school. Including the genres of Punk, Rock, and Alternative, but really found his niche when he discovered the loop pedal.
“I remember the exact moment I knew that I had to have a loop pedal. I saw a video of Ed Sheeran when he first came out in the US, performing ‘You Need Me, I Don’t Need You’ using the loop. I was blown away; instantly hooked! I knew, in that moment, this was something I had to do” – DW
In 2015 Doug was invited to play, live on the air, on 94.5 The Buzz’s Rod Ryan Morning Show Radio Station in Houston (3rd biggest morning show in the nation at that time). Doug released a single in 2016 which earned him 3rd place in the 2017 Coast 2 Coast Artist Showcase in Houston, Texas. In 2018 he released his first EP “Deeper Than the Surface Chapter 1” with songs about the personal demons we face, and the importance of believing in yourself.
Doug has played various clubs and venues around the Houston area such as: White Oak Music Hall, Warehouse Live, Numbers, Acadia, Firehouse Saloon, and BFE Rock Club.
In “The Next Big Thing” Radio Contest, put on by 94.5 The Buzz’s Rod Ryan Morning Show, Doug was named one of the Top 20 Bands of Houston. This led to a personal invitation from the Manager of Blue October to open up the 2019 Houston Music and Arts Festival with Blue October and Robert DeLong.
“I swear there’s not a better feeling on the planet to me! Performing live is everything!” -DW
Doug’s biggest influences are: Ed Sheeran, for his mastery of the loop pedal and incredible songwriting abilities, John Mayer, for his powerful lyrics and unforgettable melodies, and Tupac Shakur, for sticking to his authenticity and remaining real.
Doug Westcott is a unique original Artist on and off the stage. It is evident in his powerful and edgy lyrics. I sincerely hope you get the opportunity to see Doug perform live, when he’s in his element. It really is a sight to see a full band sound coming from one person on stage.
“I swear if you hang out with me for too long, I’ll brainwash you into believing in yourself and thinking you can achieve anything” – Doug Westcott
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The struggle for me personally is being a 1 man band. I have to be the musician, the promoter, the designer, the advertiser, the songwriter, the performer, the networker, and the salesman. I’m grateful that I’m self motivated because there is no way I could do this on my own if I wasn’t.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a full-time professional musician. I specialize in live looping and songwriting. I’ve been a live looper for the last 8 years and I’ve been writing songs since I was 12. I’m known for my songwriting as I continue to have songwriting sessions with clients to help their songs have more weight. What I’m most proud of? I set a goal to release 1 Single every month for the whole year. So far the first 5 months I’ve done it, the goal is to continue this process through December of this year.
What sets me apart is the empowering message within my songs. Offering a different perspective… a more positive one.
Any big plans?
My plans for the future is to release as much music as possible while performing around the country as much as possible in an attempt to change the world, or at least a small piece of it.
Contact Info:
- Email: dougwestcott88@gmail.com
- Website: www.artistecard.com/dougwestcott
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/dougwestcottmusic
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/dougwestcott88
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIiKCdkCsnX0pV_6UB5pfhQ
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0ywu4M8bXlgVqkxCOLpf4E?si=Ca-T4MBLRkWeIrV41rKETQ
