Parker Smith - Air Stream [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track has a nostalgic Gram Parsons kind of musical vibe to go along with the Country Chic lyrics that would do John Prine proud.

Parker Smith gives us a track that might be what Buffet would have come up with had he been raised in a trailer park, living in an ‘Air Stream.’ Of Jerry Jeff Walker if that trailer were parked somewhere in Texas.

Fun and gritty and the perfect tune to crack open an cold one and watch the sunset over the top of a Dollar Store alongside your baby.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Eden Rain - Closer [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“dEen Rain delivers an emotive and powerful performance on her single, ‘Closer.’ The track deals with grief and helping a friend make through to to the other side.

The vocal tone of this track makes you feel every word, and the build is engaging as the emotions are tangible in every line. The early sound feels almost like Americana, though the track transcends into more of a emotional Pop track halfway through.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Parker Lane - MAGIC [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Written for his children, because he doesn’t get to see and spend as much time with them as he would like, ‘MAGIC’ is a track of love and hope that will ring true for anyone missing someone and longing for a reunion.

Parker Lane shows off his vocal chops with this emotive and uplifting track that soars on the currents of the human condition.

A true feel good song!”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Dan Johnson - Along the Way [Music Video Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“Dan Johnson boldly sings the line ... I’d rather be a fool tomorrow, than a coward any day ... in his new single, ‘Along The Way,’ and in that simple brilliance, can be found both an idea and an ideal on how to live life.

Putting yourself out there, risking yourself in the name of love is dangerous and leaves us all vulnerable. Though of course not doing so, not allowing others to truly know who and what we are, leaves us isolated and alone. This uplifting track is a reminder to us all — you can’t truly live without taking some risks along the way.

The earmark of a great song is playability. A good song you can listen to a few times and be content, but a great song soars to life and compels you to listen time and time again. And with each listen you feel the emotion and come to a personal understanding that very well may transcend beyond the artist’s original intent as you layer in your own experience with the sentiments being sung. This is that type of song.

The genre is tricky here ,as the track defiantly and artistically straddles a many different lines. Big and theatrical. the single comes with elements of Indie Rock, Americana, and Gospel. At times it conjured thoughts of the Lion King with the chants and uplifting mantra that would be right at home on any Broadway stage or musical soundtrack.

But gerne is a marketers game anyway. For we consumers the lines are simple ... not for me, good, or outstanding.

And this track lands square in the latter category for me. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Joh Chase - Avalanche [Music Video Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“The video here did not add much for me, but then again it didn’t need to because the songwriting and performance is though evoking and provocative enough to carry me forward.

Some things just hit hard instantly, and that was the case for me. on this song. For those needing a comparison, there is a hint of Brandi Carlile, more in the talented defiance and writing than the vocal tone. ‘Avalanche’ is a track that will bury you in the best possible ways. The emotions, the nuance, the strong vocals and emotive power.

If I had to label this one I’d call it Americana, but good, no great, music transcends genre and this track did that for me.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Dover Lynn Fox - Winter Son [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Winter is a time of darkness both literallya nd figuratively with seasonal depression gripping many. But all dark times pass and Dover Lynn Fox gives a track of transition to take us fromt he dark bleakness to a time of light and understanding with her track ‘Winter Son.’

The emotive vocals soar and carryt he emotional burden of a lifetime as well as a season of darkness, but in the end this track is one of hope and brightness.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Mary Middlefield - Atlantis [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Mary Middlefield has that deep bottomless kind of emotive voice that hooks a listener without theattrics or tricks. Like a deep inviting pool of cool blue water on a hot summer day, you can’t help but want to jump right in.

”Atlantis’ is a quiet, yet powerful track with well-written lyrics and the straightforward delivery of a confident songwriter. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

DIN NYC - Crooked Line [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“DIN NYC reminded me of a blend of Tom Petty and Wilco. ‘Crooked Line’ rides that line of Indie Rock/ Americana and has a classic timeless ound. There is a bit of vintage Springsteen to the style as well. Simply a good classic sound with a engaging set of lyrics.

Perfectly timeless!”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock

Indecent Proposal - Behind Her Eyes [Music Video Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“My closest comparison to the sound and vibe of this track from new band Indecent Proposal is the Black Crowes. ‘Behind Her Eys’ has a rock ballad feel but hints of Americana lurk in the sound and the result is an emotionally-fueled track that is the perfect accompaniment to a psychedelic trip or a calming jam session for that cross-country road trip.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

The HawtThorns - All the Right Reasons [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The HawtThorns are led by the musical talent of wife and husband duo of KP and Johnny Hawthorn. The sound is tough to put in any one genre. Americana probably works best though there are hints of 90’s Country, West Coast singer/songwriter vibes, and even a touch of acoustic Pop.

’All The Right Reasons’ is about looking back and realizing that person you badly wanted and needed isn’t right for you so it is a blessing that things didn’t work out.” ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Andi Jane - Hide the Key [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“knowing when to walk away is important but few of us have that kind of self awareness. Andi Jane delivers this soulful Pop Ballad about that very thing. ‘Hide The Key’ utilizes her emotive vocals and a piano heavy melody to draw the listener into the right frame of mind for this track about moving on, despite nostalgia and a strong lingering love that isn’t quite meeting all the needs.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Josh Rabenold - Easy Money [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Everyone is searching for that easy life ... easy job, easy love, and of course ‘Easy Money.’ But usually, none of it is all that easy to come by, and when it appears to be so, there is always a hidden fee that might cost you even more in the end.

Josh Rabenold unleashes that very dynamic on this well-written, and haunting song that falls between Americana and Alt Country, with just a hint of pop vocals added to the mix.”

— 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 - White T-Shirt [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Bad Flamingo are so masterful at making you see a moment through their eyes. They make you smell the room, ear the background noise and most importantly feel that exact feeling they were feeling. This song is dripping in fresh country swagger with production that never overpowers the sultry vocals. With lyrics like “you still fit me like the best damn blue jeans”, this record is poetic in the best ways. Now excuse me whilst I order a pack of white tees.”

— Andrew Amoah (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)

Diane Gentile and the Gentle Men - Walk With Me featuring Alejandro Escovedo [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Americana can be a tough genre to pin down but this track from Diane Gentile and Austin songwriting stalwart, Alejandro Escoveda might very well set the bar for the genre. Poetic and emotional lyrics over a steady heartfelt delivery that hook the listener in every way. ‘Walk with Me’ offers timeless sound and talent with perfectly matched imagery for the video.

The track offers hints of Emmylou and Springsteen with an ode to Dylan on the side.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

The Sweeplings - Just Like That [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Light airy vocals deliver The Sweeplings ode to love, ‘Just Like That.’ The duo delivers tangible emotion both vocally and with a carefully created arrangement that pairs perfectly. The track has a slight theatrical edge that adds an almost brooding haunting quality and instills the intensity and fragility of love to the mix. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Starpainter "Let It Pass"

Rating: 3 out of 5

“Taken from his sophomore LP ‘Rattlesnake Dream”, Starpainter brings us along for this ride of letting go and growing pains. Love is sometimes a tug of war and ‘Let It Go’ paints the perfect picture of the push and pull of love.”

— Andrew Amoah (LA On Lock Blogger)

Leroy From The North - Push [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Leroy From The North gives us a track that feels a bit like sitting on a bar stool and having a beer while listening to your buddy tell you about the girl he just met. You could call this Southern Rock or Americana as it has both Petty and Sturgill vibes for sure. Easy to listen to and find your own emotional relevance ‘Push’ is a track I will be adding to several of my personal playlists. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

The Locksmiths - 2Handz [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“This husband and wife duo, deliver a passionate and funky little groove. The Locksmiths have a sound that reminded me of Nathanial Rateliff brand of Americana Soul a bit. ‘2 Handz’ also has some classic rock elements from a bygone era but still manages to sound and feel contemporary because of the artful songwriting and playful back and forth between them. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger