By snoadmin
Doug Means parked outside the Long Beach Clothing store on Atlantic Avenue ready for his interview. He waltzed into the store, sat down and began discussing his musical career.
Means is a California reggae/alternative rock musician who writes his own lyrics, composes his own songs, and produces his own CDs.
Born and raised in Long Beach, Means dreams of becoming a well-known musician so he could buy his own house.
Means began his journey with music when he was 12 years old. He started off playing the trumpet, and eventually learned to rap. Now, however, he mainly focuses on singing.
“I played [the trumpet] in the orchestra and jazz band,” Means said discussing his musical career when he was young. “Then I moved on to the guitar, programming beats and things like that based on the knowledge I picked up from the trumpet.”
After picking up the guitar, Means began to play shows and in venues when he was 16-years-old.
“I was working at McDonalds,” Means said, “and making music and playing shows at night.”
When he was 18-years-old, Means began playing at reggae festivals like Doheny Days and One Love Festival.
“There were a lot of Jamaican artists touring in the area at the time,” Means said. “You don’t see as many Jamaican artists around anymore since the California reggae movement picked up.”
Means says he is not influenced by any one particular artist but instead influenced by the genres of music themselves. He said that he listened to hip-hop, rock, drum and bass, and jungle music.
“I don’t have one biggest inspiration,” Means said. “I was influenced by the positive intellect that each genre [that I liked] contained.”
When asked who he wanted to collaborate artistically, Means found it difficult to choose one artist. He did mention that he would like to work with someone who posts music on Youtube.
“Realistically, there’s a couple artists in the scene that I’m looking to do a track with,” Means said. “If I could do a track with anybody, I’d really have to think about it because it’d have to be with someone crazy. It might even have to be someone that no one has even heard of.”
Means has music embedded in his soul. He said that he would love to work with mainstream artists to write a song and put it out there for everyone to love. However, when his son was born, he took some time off in order to focus on his family.
“I kind of decided I needed to put music on the backburner,” Means said. “I was taking 14 units at the time at Cal State Fullerton, and I’m even still going full-time right now.”
Means is now a multi-tasking person. He takes care of his family, is a full-time student and makes music.
“I’m a workaholic.” Means joked. “I never get a chance to take a break because I’m doing everything that I want to do.”
In the immediate future, he wants to release another album, but because of money issues, he can’t do that right now.
“All of the band’s income is going to promotion and travel expenses,” Means said. “It’s rough trying to produce a new product when we’re still promoting.”
Means has a lot on his plate. He has a lot of performances coming up this fall. He will perform on Oct. 7 at Clancy’s in Downtown Long Beach. Means also performs in Long Beach’s monthly First Fridays.
For more information about Doug Means and future tour dates, visit his website at DougMeans.com.
Disclaimer: The Daily 49er is not responsible for Postings made on www.daily49er.wpengine.com. Persons commenting are solely responsible for Postings made on this website. Persons commenting agree to the Terms of Use of the website. If Postings do not abide by the Rules of Conduct or Posting Regulations as listed in the Postings Policy, the Daily 49er has all rights to delete Postings as it deems necessary. The Daily 49er strongly advises individuals to not abuse their First Amendment rights, and to avoid language suggestive of hate speech. This site also encourages users to make Postings relevant to the article or other Postings.
