I recently had the opportunity to chat with photographer and publisher of Liquid Magazine, Doug Sims. In this brief interview, he shares how he pursued his love for photography and how he selects artists for coverage in his arts & entertainment-focused publication.
Achickwitbeatz: Who is Doug Sims?
Doug Sims: Good question! Doug is an ever evolving and changing kind of guy. I am from Muskegon, MI but have traveled all over from Germany, London, Paris to California. I just love to see different places and things, it helps me incorporate my experiences into my art/photography.
Achickwitbeatz: When did you discover your passion for photography & publishing?
Doug Sims: I grew up always drawing and painting up until my last year of high school. I picked up a real camera and fell in love with it, I couldn't get enough of shooting film, it was my high. A few years later after attending an art college I started looking at it more as visual communication and what was I trying to say with my work. The publishing came after looking at my work and experience, I would shoot a lot of concerts and would always have great images but had no way to really get them noticed. I also would always get to have small quick conversations with music artists so I started thinking how could I get this artist to give me some info about themselves.....ha-ha, so the light bulb went off.
Achickwitbeatz: What's the most valuable thing you've learned since you started your journey?
Doug Sims: Be honest, be on time, keep it clean, keep it consistent and don't over sell yourself.
Achickwitbeatz: How do you determine the content for Liquid Magazine?
Doug Sims: My magazine is a little different because I incorporate local talent as well...but you must be at a high level with your art or craft. Local to me means within any city from Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo to somewhere from New York to Texas. I look for all type of art forms, Actors, Producers, visual artists, A-Listers to international players, lol. I just finished interviewing Johnny Gill, Elle Varner, Lin Rountree, Melvin Jackson Jr. from HBO's "THE WIRE", RnB singer CASE and the list is growing.... I look for artist that would give a great story for the reader, something that everyone can relate to. I also look for artist that are true to their art, if you are a painter then paint, if you're a producer then produce. I love to talk to people that live and breath what they do, lol...I remember spending my last few dollars (when I was a lot younger) to get that film processed so that I could see the results of what I had created. I still have that desire. I think that the artist that are genuine with their style and approach to their craft says a lot as well, everybody can't be Luther, or Anita Baker, Nikki Minaj or even Fetty Wap.
Achickwitbeatz: What advice do you have to offer those getting started in photography and/or publishing?
Doug Sims: Study those before you, look at their work and their approach and read as much as you can to stimulate your mind.
Achickwitbeatz: How can people connect with you and stay current with what you have in the works?
Doug Sims: I can be found in the photography world at (website) www.dougsims2.com, Twitter @dsimsphoto, Instagram @dougsimsphotography In the magazine world at (website) www.liquidae.com, Twitter @liquidaemag, Instagram @liquidmagazine
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From Nylon Trax: Achickwitbeatz returns with “Joke’s On You” — a deep and compelling release that blends raw honesty with hypnotic grooves. Inspired by the idea of denial and pride masking true desire, the track delivers both a message and a mood: you can’t hide from the truth when the rhythm exposes it.
The release features the pulsing Original Mix, a bold statement of Achickwitbeatz’s sonic identity, and a masterfully layered Jaymz Nylon Afro Tech ReShape, which lifts the track into a transcendent dancefloor experience. Together, these cuts remind us that music, like honesty, has the power to cut through façades and reveal what’s real.
Pressed on 12” vinyl and available digitally, “Joke’s On You” is a modern underground essential that refuses to pull its punches. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.
AuditoryYum. A collection of sonically delicious instrumentals to feed your ears. Available on (most) major platforms. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.
A story of love and frustration, and the sometimes humorous reality of wanting to turn love into something easier to handle—like anger—but not quite being able to. It's an anthem for anyone who’s ever found themselves in a complicated relationship that’s cyclically infuriating and irresistible.
Produced, written, and performed by Achickwitbeatz, available on all major platforms. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.
From Nylon Trax: “The talented singer, writer, and producer Achickwitbeatz delights us with another epic house music release, 'Right Now.' Featuring cleverly written and uplifting vocals, 'Right Now' is an infectious track inspired by the challenges of everyday life. It serves as a powerful reminder to persevere, believe in ourselves, and trust our intuition, knowing that we have the tools to manifest a brighter future.
Adding to the magic, Jaymz Nylon lends his dynamic touch with a mesmerizing Afrotech ReShape remix, enhancing the brilliance of the original.
Achickwitbeatz's 'Right Now' is a masterful release, endlessly playable and imbued with heartfelt emotion, destined to leave a lasting impression.”
Written, Produced and Vocals by Achickwitbeatz
Additional Remix Production by Jaymz Nylon
Mastered by James Thomas @ The Cottage
Executive producer: Jaymz Nylon
Published by Man Made Nylon Music / BMG Chrysalis
(p) & (c) 2024 Nylon Recordings/Nylon Trax
Genre: Vocal House, Soulful House, Deep House, Afrotech | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.
Another chapter in the Dopamine & Serotonin saga has arrived. Produced, written, and performed by Achickwitbeatz, “See Me” is a song that invites you to dive into a sensual escape, transcending the superficiality of a selfish and cold world to uncover a depth of intimacy and genuine connection. Available on all major platforms. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.
Music Marvels with Achickwitbeatz & Breezy Gipson Radio Show aired from May 2016 through April 2024 on multiple platforms including KBC Network, Grander Radio, and KSPX Sparks Radio Network. For new podcast episodes featuring instrumentals, artist insights, interviews & conversations, and music industry news & tips, listen to The Instrumental Intel Podcast with Achickwitbeatz on Saturdays at 7:00 pm ET. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.
![Hear Here: Achickwitbeatz - Dopamine & Serotonin [Single]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52b0b90ae4b0293bfed0d692/1710852808557-EZYGFDIBHLBSIRFOVS1Q/Dopamine+%26+Serotonin.JPG)
A collection of gritty, yet soulful instrumentals produced by Achickwitbeatz, available on all major platforms. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.
A collection of gritty, yet soulful instrumentals produced by Achickwitbeatz, available on all major platforms. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.
Catch Music Industry News With Achickwitbeatz on Music Marvels Radio Show Saturdays at 7pm ET on Grander Radio & Achickwitbeatz.com and on A Show With ABrothaNamedSherm Tuesdays at 2pm ET & 8pm ET on Dream Access TV.
Hip Hop instrumental produced by Achickwitbeatz. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.
Hip Hop instrumental produced by Achickwitbeatz. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.
Hip Hop instrumental produced by Achickwitbeatz. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.
A collection of Futuristic Hip Hop Soul instrumentals produced by Achickwitbeatz, available on all major platforms. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.
Networking is undoubtedly crucial for music artists to build a thriving career. With so many music events being postponed, it will take some maneuvering to compensate for what would normally occur face to face. Here are four easy ways to strengthen connections and expand your network from a safe space. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.
Would you like to be a guest on Instrumental Intel with Achickwitbeatz? Complete the form or send a DM to @InstrumentalIntel. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs and let's craft future classics here in the present.
If you're an artist who would like to be interviewed by Achickwitbeatz or would like an album review for your recent project on Achickwitbeatz.com, submit your music for consideration.
Guest post by Emma Grace Brown. The hardest part of building a creative career is living in the tension between making meaningful work and making it pay. Explore tips for blending creativity and strategy to keep your art alive and help it earn.
Guest post by Emma Grace Brown. Give your creative entrepreneurship room to breathe. Learn how to make money without turning your art into a joyless grind using a growth system built from foundational business tools.
Guest post by Emma Grace Brown. A musician’s aesthetic serves as a non-verbal manifesto, communicating values, genre, and personality before a single note is played. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs, resources for artists & dope stuff for music lovers.
Guest post by Emma Grace Brown: Home recording studios have become a practical reality for musicians who want control over their sound, schedule, and budget. Whether you are tracking demos, producing full releases, or collaborating remotely, an at-home setup lets you work at your own pace without sacrificing quality.
Explore creative planning and music marketing strategies artists can use to make their work seen, heard, and supported while protecting their energy and focus. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs, resources for artists & dope stuff for music lovers.
Discover how independent artists can align their 2026 marketing goals with their creative vision. Learn practical, beginner-friendly ways to plan your releases, set intentional goals, and build systems that support both your artistry and your marketing. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs, resources for artists & dope stuff for music lovers.
Learn how independent artists can streamline their music marketing systems for the new year with simple workflows, organized content, and repeatable processes that support consistent growth. |
Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs, resources for artists & dope stuff for music lovers.
Learn how independent artists can accurately assess their music marketing ROI by evaluating time, money, and momentum. This research-backed guide shows how to track resources, measure audience growth, and make smarter marketing decisions that support long-term career progress. |
Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs, resources for artists & dope stuff for music lovers.
Prepare your music career for 2026 with SMART marketing goals designed for independent artists. Learn how to set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound objectives that grow your audience, increase engagement, and maximize your reach. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs, resources for artists & dope stuff for music lovers.
Take control of your music marketing with a year-end review. Learn how to evaluate your strategy, uncover growth opportunities, and plan actionable steps to expand your audience in the year ahead. |Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs, resources for artists & dope stuff for music lovers.
Guest post by Emma Grace Brown. Whether it’s painting, running, reading, or gardening, hobbies shape how we live, connect, and grow. From creative expression to physical endurance and mental challenge, they offer one of the most overlooked forms of self-education — joy with purpose.
Learn how independent artists can monetize their music with micro-licensing platforms, turning small placements into income, exposure, and career growth. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs, resources for artists & dope stuff for music lovers.
A homage to the golden era of 1990s instrumental beat vinyl. Crafted as the perfect partner for freestyling MCs, dancers, and DJ culture. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.