Slow Joy - Wound [Music Video Review]

“Let me introduce this track with a quite from the artist ... ‘When I was 14 I was an emo kid, Now I’m an emotional man.’

This emotions have manifested into an Alternative Rock sound that is undeniably inviting. YEah maybe it is in that misery loves company vein though there is nothing miserable about this song or the talent behind it. I;m simply talking about the shared human experience and how we all face and feel the same things.

’Wound’ showcases that and the band’s ability to deliver what we are feeling. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Sitting on Saturn - Ticket to New York [Music Video Review]

“Sadly, we usually know when a relationship is doomed or even over long before we admit that fact out loud. Sitting on Saturn leans into that bit of human psyche with ‘Ticket to New York.’

The LA area Rockers are on tour with 311 this summer and pissed to hit that next level. Catch them now while you can and be part of the wave up.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

x reuben - h*** me [Music Review]

“London born artist x reuben traveled around Europe honing his talents as a busker. ‘h*** me’ is an introspective and emotional track that delves into a vulnerable look at lost love and the end of dreams.

The artist lays it out there with honest and genuine heart that keeps the song feeling emotionally tangible to the very last note.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Danny Bowens - CRYING ON THE DANCE FLOOR [Music Review]

“Danny Bowens takes us on a Pop Punk ride with ‘Crying On the Dance Floor.’ The track ahs a dark lyrical edge that is the perfect juxtaposition for the light bouncy tempo and musical vibe. The two sides are at odds inthe same way we all tend to smile and say everything is fine even as our world is shattering.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Anberlin - A Day Late [Music Video Review]

“An Alternative Rock ode to bad timing and missed opportunities, ‘A Day Late,’ is about that friend zone crush you can’t quite stop thinking about the what-ifs.

Anberlin delivers a sound that would have been right at home in the 90s, but still feels relevant and Contemporary today because that is what timeless talent will do for a band. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Out in Front - Forget July [Music Review]

“This track is an anthem that builds and rises and is perfect for cranking the volume and belting out loud. ‘Forget July’ from the band Out In Front is about breaking free after being mired in something that once upon a time meant everything to you. But no longer feels like a piece you need. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Johnny Manchild and the Poor Bastards - Already Over (Smile Honey) [Music Review]

“Mark your calendars now to catch Johnny Manchild and the poor Bastards at the Roxy on March 27th. The sunset Strip will be alive for this Oklahoma City band to perform ‘Already Over’ as well as a catalogue of other great tracks.

The band is genre defying as they blend Rock and Jazz in to an Emo brand of Alternative Rock.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Walter The Producer - Tell Me Again [Music Reviews]

“Walter The Producer has a unique vocal tone that quickly goes from surprising to engaging in its honest earnest delivery. ‘Tell Me again’ is a track with an undeniable energy and provocation that keeps you leaning in and listening for what comes next. The Indie Rock vibe delivers a timeless kind of sound that simply feels like a good honest music.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Slow Joy - Gruesome [Music Video Reiew]

“When submitting this song for consideration, Slow Joy wrote ... “When I was 14 I was an emo kid, Now I’m emotional man.”

This sums up the track ‘Gruesome’ quite well. Emo Rock had a moment in the 90s and a song like this could very well usher in a new era for the genre.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Meridia - A New Man [Music Review]

“Meridia hails from the UK and draws inspiration from bands such as King Gizard & the Lizard Wizard and Alice in Chains.

’A New Man’ is a track about not getting in your own way and letting your emotions derail you. The track is pore Rock and in some ways comes with a style and sound that harkens back to the 90s. That said the band has a Contemporary or rather timeless edge that simply works. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Kylie Rothfield - Temporary [Music Review]

“Kylie Rothfield has the rare gift to draw listeners in emotional with one or two words. ‘Temporary’ is a track about the fleeting nature of love and wella ctualy most things in this world. Rothfield delivers the performance with ease though that only happens when an artists has that extra emotive ability to convey their thoughts with a precise earnestness. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Matt Sahadi - Halfway to Charlotte [Music Review]

“Matt Sahadi weaves a tale of lost love and a journey to rekindle the spark in the hauntingly beautiful track, ‘Halfway to Charlotte.’

Love is one of the the few things that can shake us up enough to rush headfirst into the last place you want to go. This song is about that leap of faith and facing your fears to chase after the thing you need the most.

The stripped down feel matches the emotions perfectly and you can feel the rubber meeting the road on this engaging song. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Daniel Arison - Selfish [Music Video Review]

“We can all get a bit too wrapped up in our own lives to be the friend or partner we should be. It is important to remind yourself that there is a big beautiful world beyond the myriad of stuff swirling inside our heads. And admitting we are not the center of the universe can certainly put things in their proper place.

Daniel Arison wrote this track after a friend called me out on ‘Selfish’ behavior and he had the time to digest the accusations. The talent and energy he utilizes in creating and performing the track just might make you take a closer look at yourself. And if not, well you’ll at least be entertained for a few minutes. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Sitting on Saturn x G. Love - Rose Colored Glasses [Music Review]

“Few things spawn as many songs as newfound love and Sitting on Saturn teams up with G. Love to unleash their take on this set of emotions. ‘Rose Colored Glasses’ is all about the way a new crush can make everything in the world seem better.

This track brings an Indie Rock energy with a little bit of a Pop edge. Another fun track for your playlists dedicated to love.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

JWADI - GROUND CONTROL [Music Review]

“JWADI doesn’t mess around jumping straight right into it on this Reggae heavy Alt Rock fusion. This song is a vibe. I fell in and felt it deep within me. With each subsequent listen I found new lyrical nuances to keep me coming back time and time again.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

The Criticals - Mother of Style [Music Review]

“This track has a nostalgic feel by design. Inspired by the ever-changing vibe of their hometown, Nashville, Tennessee, The Criticals unleash a 90’s Indie Rock vibe that certainly differs from what people think about when they first think of Nashville.

The band has long been one of my favorites here at LA on Lock and again they continue to impress with a wide range of style and sound. Just like their hometown.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

PICKLE JUICE - Curbstomp {Music Review]

“PICKLE JUICE was formed by a group of ski bums. A global collection of talents based in Canada, the band conjured up a timeless brand of Rock and Roll sound. “curbstomp’ is the kind of track that would have been a hit anytime over the last three decades so get in early and help start spreading the world about this fun and energetic band. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

PHWOAR - Waiting for the Sun [Music Review]

“Turmoil and strife seem to be the new normal in this increasingly divisive world. Music is a salve for many of us and this track fits the current mood of so many quite well. I’ll turn it over to the band PHWOAR and let them explain where their new single , ‘Waiting for the Sun,’ comes from.

”This is a song about resilience. It explores hope as a form of rebellion and learning to find strength in times of weakness. In the UK, January 20 (this song’s release date) is known as Blue Monday, which is supposedly the most depressing day of the year (coincidentally in 2025, it is also the day of the US presidential inauguration). Blue Monday was concocted to sell you stuff, using people’s mental health as an excuse to do so. This song is a reminder that mental health is not something to be made light of in order to sell holidays and stuff. It’s also a reminder to ourselves and anybody going through difficult times that the lowest ebb is never a constant. There’s always light after the darkness. Sometimes we’re just forced into waiting for the sun. x”

This song and its intent should resonate for many as we delve into an unpredictable era.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Gio - One More Night [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“What I love about this track is its bold confidence. Gio takes chances with a performance that straddles the line between an Emo Alt Rock vibe and a Rap flow. The lyrical build is well rendered and the emotion comes through in genuine fashion.

That said this is a track that requires a bit of patience as the speedy delivery makes it tricky in parts to discern the lyrics and stay with the build in that regard. This is definitely one of those track that grows on you and means more with each subsequent listen. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Lisa Heller - U LIKE THAT [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Lisa Heller utilizes her vocal talent and energy to unleash ‘U LIKE THAT.’ The track is about an ongoing relationship that both parties know isn’t going anywhere but hey fun is fun while it lasts and sometimes those urges take over our common sense.

The high energy track has a Commercial edge and is right at home in the Alt Pop landscape. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger