Rebecca Haviland and Whiskey Heart - Sins [Music Video Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“Rebecca Haviland and Whiskey Heart have a sound that blends roots rock, soul, and Americana. Their latest release ‘Sins,’ is a powerful, grungy blues track that highlights Rebecca’s raw vocals and the band’s gritty, NYC-inspired sound.

There are plenty of things to like here and the talent is undeniable. The production dynamics could have left a more pleasing finish to the tone, but instead they leaned in on that raw grit a bit more than I would have liked and I do wish the song had stronger sense of build or escalation. That said, I would love to hear more music from this collection of talented performers.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Eric Hagen - Accuse Me [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Eric Hagen gives off Nathaniel Rateliff vibes on the track ‘Accuse Me.’ The track has a Bluesy Soul vibe, with some Americana thrown in for good measure. The song feels like a sit at home drinking while pondering how it all went wrong vibes. But rather than wallowing in despair, the lyrics take on a bit of righteous indignation to create an IDGAF brand of attitude.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Kenny Sharp - Coming Back To You [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Kenny Sharp’s latest track ‘Coming Back To You’ was recently featured in the latest season of Love Island and I suspect you’ll be hearing the song in a lot of other places as well. Sharp has that vocal sound that is hard to defne to a single genre. A little blues, some roots rock, Americana, Pop. It’s all in there on this track, and the writing has clever word play as well as deeper meaning to ponder on subsequent listens.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Mallow Hill - Thinkin' Bout My Baby [Music Review

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track introduces the world to Mallow Hill as it is the band’s debut single. ‘Thinkin’ Bout My Baby’ drips with sultry Blues and the vocal tone has a bit of Winehouse over the top of a Gary Clark Jr. musical vibe.

’Thinkin’ Bout My Baby’ is about the personal growth and realization of habits formed from toxic relationships and how we all tend to slip on a pair of familiar shoes even though the damn things tend to hurt our feet. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Claire London - Black Leather [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Claire London blends the Blues with Pop sensibilities to give us this track. ‘Black Leather’ offers enough of that sultry edge to tease and enough dirt and grit to truly make it all interesting.

The track is loosely based on London’s first meeting her eventual husband but at its heart it is about personal confidence and simply getting about your business because you are truly feeling it.

That self assured groove comes through and carries the track on its back for a nice ride.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Bad Flamingo - Numb [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“No artist or band delivers dark, folksy blues the way Bad Flamingo can. The raspy tone and air of alluring mystery permeates most of their work and this intriguing duo keeps cranking out the engaging tracks utilizing that branded sound.

’Numb’ paints a picture and transports the listener to a dimly lit backstreet, a dusty dirt path, a concrete wasteland as a vagabond traveler drops the decree of the despondent, the independent, the restless. This track is a vibe and so is Bad Flamingo.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Rosa Mack - When I'm Alone [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Rosa Mack delivers this track with silky smooth power. The blues-charged soul track is a gospel of sorts for self-empowerment.

’When I’m Alone’ is all about shedding what binds you and not letting others drag you down or hold you back. The track rises into a powerful crescendo, but is captivating from note one. highlighting Mack’s power not only as a vocal performance but as a songwriter.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Landon Keller - Bloom [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Landon Keller brings the roadhouse gospel to yo your ears with ‘Bloom.’ Singer/Songwriter, Blues, Americana ... no matter what you call it the sound here is timeless and emotive and simply sings to the human condition.

You can draw comparisons to Nathaniel Rateliff or Charley Crocket perhaps if you need a musical reference but Keller infuses a bit of the deep South that makes me crave a Mint Julep and a plate of fried shrimp to ingest while I contemplate the emotions of life.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Bad Flamingo - Oh My My [Review]

Rating 4 out of 5

“Bad Flamingo just sauntered into town oozing swagger and attitude. ‘Oh My My’ is dripping with cool in the boldest shade of the blues. Razor sharp lyrics, drawn out deliveries that seduce and intimidate with equal measure “Leave marks on each other like souvenirs”... I MEAN!!. This record is sexy and cold-blooded.”

— Andrew Amoah (LA on Lock blogger)

ZZ Ward - On One [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“ZZ Ward has the vocal chops to do anything she damn well pleases. Much like P!nk, you never quite know what style you are going to get with a ZZ Ward track and ‘On One’ gives your several in one neat package.

There is high energy Blues, a cutting Rock edge, and a sprinkling of a Pop brand of Hip Hop all within this single song. The energy comes straight at you and the power is evident on every note. And the video is a fun ride as well!”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Hilary Watson - Lie Awake [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Hilary Watson has the kind of timeless vocals that fits most any time period or genre. Stepping away from her normal vocal duo in this solo effort, Watson offers up a bluesy roots sound that comes with a bit of a wry twist, lyrically. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Tassia Zappia - You Don't Want Me [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Vocally, Tassia Zappia lands somewhere between Elle King and Amy Winehouse, and in that the talented Aussie is keeping some serious company. ‘You Don’t Want Me’ is an attitude-filled slow roll, that churns with passion in the form of a pissed-off frustration that is damn near tangible within the performance. Bluesy, yet still Commercial in sound, this track is one far too many of us can relate to after being in such a relationship.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Kristopher James - Feelings [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“If you are a sucker for that timeless smooth groove of a soulful crooner, then Kristopher James is an artist you want to know. ‘Feelings’ takes you for a ride that feels like a drive on warm Sunday afternoon down a wide open stretch of road. It is the musical equivalent to the warm scent of sugar cookies fresh from the oven. It is comfort music in every sense of the word. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Kat Eaton - Slow It Down [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Kate Eaton delivers a Bluesy ode of salute to a slower pace, in ‘Slow It Down.’ With vocals that offer energy, but also an aching brand of hope, Eaton unfurls a vocal arrangement that wraps the listener up in a soft blanket and allows the words to warm the soul. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Jesse Roper - Horizons [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“f you dig a bit of Bluesy weirdness, then Jesse Roper has the track for you. ‘Horizons’ offers a soulful twist on the world of extraterrestrials, but the track really has a vague take on the otherworldliness aspect and relies on the bold vocal performance that just lodges in your bones.

Nathaniel Rateliff comes to mind when you try to draw a comparison, but the track has a unique edge that simply is hard to deny. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Henry Conlon - I'm Coming Home [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Henry Conlon has captured a dark gritty sound with the acoustic version of his signature track, ‘I’m Coming Home.’ Whilelt he single lives in the Americana,/Folk world of sounds it also brings an old school Blues refrain to the mix and all of it combines to create a heavy undertone to the emotional edge of both the songwriting and the vocal performance. This is a song that sits with you long after the last note has faded. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Dennyiah - Sailor [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A slow, soulful track that hints at the Blues behind a songwriter emotional vibe. The ocean and our journey through life form a strong metaphor that is brought to life by these emotion laden vocals and a nice arrangement that serves this track quite well. This is stripped down songwriting and performing that feels far bigger than it actually is thanks to the talent behind it.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

The Customers - Lost The World [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“A rocking Blues number, that delivers a hard punch musically. The vocals lean to a spoken Blues style, but for me it was the hard edge of the music that kept me listening here. Something tells me this band is one that puts on a must see show on stage and I hope they venture down to Southern California so that I can see them live for myself.

Rock and Roll isn’t dead but it is hard to find and The Customers out of Oakland, California are hell bent to keep the sound alive and well. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

SISTER COOKIE - ON GOLGOTHA [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The 12 Bar Blues with a Jazz infused bit of funky Gospel is how I’d describe this darkly twisted track from SISTER COOKIE.

Energetic and danceable, this one has a retro Rockabilly vibe that makes it perfect for a swing around the dance floor, but don’t underestimate the twisty lyrics of this soulful single. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Hollyy - What A Shame [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“This track incorporates a bit of a 50’s do wop vibe into a modern Indie Rock/ Americana sound, making it feel as if the single could be a hit across many different decades.

A slow dance track with soul and introspection behind it. You certainly will not be saying ‘What A Shame’ after giving this latest single from Hollyy a thoughtful listen.

Hollyy is an up and coming alternative soul band from Chicago.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)