Nadia Kamrath - Confessions [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Nadia Kamrath possesses the uncanny talent to perfectly convey emotion with only a few words. ‘Confessions’ is an emotive singer/songwriter vibe reminiscent to Phoebe Bridgers in style, but Kamrath certainly has her own tonal quality and style that stands out.

The track is about one friend catching deeper feelings and offering up the emotions behind such a realization. The sentiments ring true and genuine and it is an easy track to fall in on.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Will Kline - Anywhere [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Electro Folk? That might not be an established genre, but this track certainly delivers both elements. On this track, Will Kline sounds like an Avicii/Mumford collaboration.

Lyrically, the track is hopeful and earnest in its wanderlust, and musically it is right at home as a low-key dance number. The end result is a light airy track with a solid beat and a progression that keeps you leaning in for more.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Chris Robley - There's a Bird [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“This is songwriting at its best. Chris Robley has that extra bit of intuitiveness to his writing that you normally find in such artists as Jason Isbell, Bruce Springsteen and Tom Waits. That line between heartbreak and hope is always at the center of the work and gives the listener a myriad of emotion to work from. This is a track that grows on you with each and every listen, but is mesmerizing from the very first listen.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

All The Queen's Horses - Jocelyn [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“This track took top honors in what the New York Times describes as the Olympics of songwriting, and one listen is enough to see why.

’Jocelyn’ is the tale of an Irish immigrant living in New York and brings to light both the triumphs and struggles of a different time and generation. A timeless, storytelling set of lyrics that offers both hope and heartbreak and a wealth of emotion are delivered in an emotive rasp reminiscent of Tom Waits.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

The Satellite Station - For The Coast [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“The Satellite Station offers up a haunting distant sound that perfectly convey the emotions of this track. ‘For The Coast’ is a melancholic ode reflection about starting over and finding the courage to venture out an reinvent yourself in some new and unexpected way. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Alex Beraldo - Southern Heat [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track definitely spoke to my Texas roots. Folk, reminiscent to a blend of the late great John Prine and Todd Snider, the soft tone comes with lyrical punch and a wry bit of emotional twist. This track is not as Commercial in its sound as most of the music we share on LA on Lock, but don’t let that deter you from taking a dive in on this well-written ode to the selfish people we all know.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Gabriel Black - King of the Nosebleeds [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Gabriel Black might be the ‘King of Nosebleeds,’ or he might be king of the Alt Pop Folk sound. Or the case can be made after this track that he is both at the same time.

This well-written track couples great writing with an emotive vocal performance that captures the sentiments to a tee. This song simply speaks to 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)

Opus Kink - Wild Bill [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Peaky Blinders meets Ray Wylie Hubbard. Chances are most of you have no idea who Ray Wylie Hubbard is but this track put me in mind of the Outlaw Texas songwriter.

Opus Kink hails from Brighton, England and this track has a gritty Cowboy PUnk/ British fusion vibe that simply works in a dark gritty way.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Riley Pearce - Night.Love.Sleep [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Riley Pearce taps into the human psyche with ease, both in the writing and the performance. Delivering a sound that lands somewhere between Springsteen and Coldplay, this Aussie evokes strong emotion with a slow, yet steady build that matches the tone of the lyrics step for step. Can’t wait to hear more from this artist. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Wax Owls - By My Side [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Straddling that line behind a Commercial sound and Indie Folk, LA based group, Wax Owls, have that clean emotional delivery that hooks listeners across a wide spectrum of tastes. ‘By My Side’ is a nostalgic look at utopian childhood and simply makes you happy to listen. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Sean Tobin - St. Patrick's Day Forever [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“‘tis that time of year ... and who doesn’t like a good drinking song all in the name of a good Saint. So raise a pint, make it green if that’s your thing, and revel in the day it’s okay to get shitfaced. Actually this past year, we’ve all had many of those days and hey that’s okay too because sometimes you just gotta play the cards as they’re dealt. This is a fun Celtic Punk track perfect for the year and the season.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

mae krell - are you sure? [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“We all love to discover those powerful new voices and then share them with our friends. Here is your chance to be the musical explorer in your core group and share an important new voice. mae krell delivers talent and vulnerability that rises above what most artists are capable of.

Written on the two year anniversary of their sobriety, “are you sure?” explores the low points that make you forget the progress you’ve already made. The emotion is temporary, but it’s painful to overcome. Sung with the tremor of someone on the verge of tears, the single is raw in the most intimate way, with Mae’s distinctive voice wavering over textured guitar and charango and piano accents. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Lauren Spring - I Remember You [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Lauren Spring has a timeless voice that carries hints of Ronstadt, Emmylou, and the entire Wet Coast Folk/Country sound of the 60s and 70s. That is not to say this track has a retro vibe, because Spring infuses plenty of modern touches to make “I Remember You’ stand out and above so many artists trying to put modern spins on classic sounds from that era. The smooth steady progression and lyrical flow feels like a warm hug from a friend on this track. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Kane Miller - Catch My Heart [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Kane Miller is no stranger to our readers and listeners and the talented Canadian songwriter is back with a Folksy ode to the insecurities of love. A tender guitar melody and Miller’s emotive vocals draw us in and make us feel every word. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

The Satellite Station - Satellites [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The Satellite Station delivers a tranquil atmospheric sound here on this track about the fleeting brightness of many relationships. Like ‘Satellites’ crossing the sky with a brief, but a bright glimmer, these short arcs of our lives have a bigger impact on the cosmos of our existence even though they come and go.

This is definitely a mood piece perfect for those reflective times when we are considering our own place in the universe.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Ryland Moranz - Beautiful World [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Long before I called So Cal home, I grew up in the windy plains of the Texas Panhandle, so this track by Ryland Moranz spoke to me and my past in a way that few songs do. Call this melancholy Folk, as the tempo and vibe here is of tarnished, bleak places that still somehow speak to who we are. At least those of us who have called such places home.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Tommy Alexander - River Run Down [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Tommy Alexander delivers the kind of lines that sound simple to the ears, but are oh so hard to actually condense and articulate in digestible way. Wryly perceptive, and smart, yet common enough for the message to land for any listener who truly pays attention, ‘River Run Down’ has enough grit and energy to hold you without overwhelming the emotions. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Joshua Radin - Better Life [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Joshua Radin has given the world a lot of music, and a lot to think about over 16 albums and hundreds of live shows, so it comes as no surprise that his latest single, ‘Better Life’ brings a powerful message as well. The plight of those seeking refuge, hope, and yes a better life here in the United States has been exploited by both sides of the political spectrum, and frankly it is sad given that this country was founded on the ideals of give us your tired, your poor. This is Indie Folk with a heart and I dig it. ”

— 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)