Wax Owls - The Appetite [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Chasing a dream comes with some sacrifices and tough decision but when you have true passion and follow your heart those decisions are almost a relief. This song is about Wax Owls vocalist, Gerry Hirschfeld given in to his creative hunger and transitioning from a career as a lawyer to full-time songwriter and performer.

’The Appetite’ is an Indie folk ode to passion and faith that things will work out when you allow yourself to be free and chase your dreams.. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Amelie Patterson - The War [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“I suppose it is rather ironic, but there is a lot of great Americana music being created by Canadians these days, and Amelie Patterson certainly joins that select group. ‘The War’ has Folk and Indie Rock elements and is tough to categorize like a lot of Americana.

No doubt there will Brandi Carlile comparisons, and that is an apt similarity, but no mistake, no matter what artists served as her inspiration, Patterson is a talented and capable artist creating her own sound. Deeply emotional and brooding in the build, this is a track that I will listen to over and over again to extract every last drop of nuance and meaning.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Annie Bartholomew - White Chapel Woman [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“I was immediately intrigued by the subject matter and writing of this traditional Folk tune. Alaskan folksinger Annie Bartholomew spins a track detailing the hardships and survival of a frontier era sex worker.

In case you missed that, let me repeat it— we are talking about traditional Folk detailing the life of a Victorian era sex worker.

Originality points aside, Bartholomew unfurls her emotive vocal talent along with a lively musical build that really does tell a complete story in a short few minutes. And she does it with an engaging flair that will have me listening on repeat and digging in to hear more from this talented artist.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

VNXI - We Are Ghosts [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“We are all in ghosts in a way. Our memories think of people no longer in our lives as how they were, rather than how they may be now in a present we are not part of..

’We Are Ghosts’ by VNXI expands on that idea and gives us a heartfelt emotional track about the way our memories play tricks on us. The track has a soft, Alternative/Indie Rock vibe that is easy to digest and connect with though lyrically the ideas longer in your mind long after the last note. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Joshua Radin - This One's For [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Life on the road can be lonesome and tough, and here, Joshua Radin explores those emotions with his latest track, ‘The One’s For.’

Delivered in a Pop Folk style, the song emotes the love and gratitude for family and friends left behind, be it for a day a week or the duration of a long tour. A song of sentimental appreciation that is easy to connect to and will inspire thoughts about the people who are important to you.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

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Bright Kelly - Shake Til the Fever is Gone [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Bright Kelly offers up an emotive Indi Folk track that has hints of Springsteen, John Prine, and a more obscure but equally talented Tom Russell. ‘Shake Til the Fever is Gone’ is not the kind of Commercial track we generally feature but is the kind of song that is honest and genuine and speak to the heart. A songwriter’s ode to acceptance I guess you might say, the track is one that delivers on its emotions with purpose. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

The Collection - Rose Colored Glasses [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“It is never easy to see the postives after a break up but, ‘Rose Colored Glasses,’ from North Carolina indie-pop band The Collection hopes to change that. The single is the third single released from their new EP, How to Survive an Ending, due out on January 27, 2023. The track has a Folksy Pop vibe and is easy to fall in and connect emotionally. A track of uplifting energy and hope despite the end of the relationship. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Eddie Island - Honey (You Said Love) [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A folksy track with Pop sensibilities. A bit like Mumford meets Springsteen with a light airy tone and build that makes it easy to emotional connect with the track. Eddie Island lets the writing soar with a joyous tone and band vocal build that matches the musical vibes of the track. This is the kind of song that delivers the power to change your mood and lift your spirit. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Freedom Fry - Strange For Love [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“I have been a fan of Freedom Fry for a while now, and ‘Strange For Love’ is one of those tracks that instantly feels like you’ve heard before, not because it is redundant or cliché, but because it feels timeless and genuine in its emotion. The melody has a Funky Folk vibe with a hint of the Blues, and the vocal arrangement brings in so many influences. From a chain gang work song feel, to more of a Pop vibe deeper in.

The varying sounds mesh and transition so well that you don’t quite realize how different the song feels start to finish upon the first listen. Definitely a track going on several of my saved playlists.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Paolo Nutini - Through The Echoes [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Few artists can convey emotion and passion the way Paolo Nutini can. There is a timeless Rock sound, like you’d find from the Eagles or Tom Waits with a strong songwriters sensibilities driving and pushing the lyrical build.

Artistry is the word of the day as you can feel the emotion and talent combine to create a vibe that transcends time and genre. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Jessamyn Day - Highways [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Hip Hop and Folk are not easily combined, but ‘Highways’ from Jessamyn Day certainly delivers elements of both genres. Leaning closer to Folk early on, the track settles into more of a Rock style reminiscent of Red Hot Chili Peppers deeper in. I was impressed by the ability of the arrangement to take subtle, yet varying turns and never feel like it was trying to do too much. A track that is finely crafted, and delivered with passionate talent.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock

Wake The Sun - King of the Road [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“There is nothing like a good it of time on the road to reflect and ponder on both how you got to where you are ,and where you are going. This track takes a look at how our paths shape who we are and where we are going. With a classic and timeless sound this track straddles a Folk/Americana and Indie Rock vibe while giving off strong vibes of what it is to be a free thinking, free travelling human in this place and time.

Simply put, ‘King of the Road,’ is a good song most if not al of us can relate strongly with. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Zoe Zobrist - Better [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Zoe Zobrist has the perfect voice for a track like this. Soft and slow in the build and tone, ‘Better’ is a song of regret and heartache. A song of what should have been amid self reflection and a simmering anger that threatens below the surface. The writing is strong, though it is the performance that truly hits the emotional aspects, and makes you feel every word.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Southbank - Best Mistake [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Coming with a decided Americana tone. Mainstream Country has left a lot of people high and dry and seeking real emotion with easy to sing with lyrics and vibes. This is the sound picking up that slack and Southbank is poised to be a real force. True genuine music and you can’t ask for anything more. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Morgan Myles - Woman Of My Word [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“The slow build of this track is well worth the time it takes to unfold. Morgan Myles has a Country feel to her tone, but the deep range and broad emotional impact is far more impactful than most Mainstream Country offers these days. Think of Brandi Carlisle or old school Ronstadt more than the cheesy bedazzled brand of Country Nashville pumps out these days. This track heartfelt and real, and a journey far too many women face at least once in their lives.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Sarah Gross - Amy [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Sarah Gross joins a growing movement of talented women pouring their heart and soul out with Folk driven Americana. Currently, Brandi Carlilse is the name many associate with this sound, but Gross offers a softer vocal style that stands on its own. This track, like the rest of the EP is written about the New York town she grew up in and the rich slate of characters that Gross walked beside over the years.”

— Travis Erwin

Suitcase Souls - Nashville October [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Fans of Jason Isbell and Phoebe Bridgers, will find it easy to connect to Suitcase Souls and their new single, ‘Nashville October.’

Deferring to the band here is what they say of the track ... “‘Nashville October’ is the smoke smell in your jacket from last night’s backyard hang, the photos in your camera roll of a selfie that *barely* fit everyone, the feeling of letting go of a past season to grab hold of right now and living in the moment.”

The track does have that worn nostalgic feel that makes our memories both fuzzy and acute and in that the emotions is easy to find and feel. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock BLogger

Annie of the Canyon - Heart of Stone [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Annie of the Canyon is not a stranger to LA on Lock readers, but if you have missed her previous features here on the blog it is never to discover her emotive and tender vocals. There is a mysterious allure to her tone and the emotion of her writing and delivery never fails to engage the deeper senses of my psyche. Like a modern Stevie Nicks, Annie of the Canyon has that odd combination of fierce determination and soft vulnerability that is both alluring and inviting. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Gregory Ackerman - All This Thinking [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Born and raised in LA, Gregory Ackerman delivers a timeless Indie Folk sound. “All This Thinking’ is rich in emotion and it wraps around you warming the soul like a nice heavy blanket. The groove and melody are easy to fall in on and the performance makes the song feel as if you are listening to an old friend’s advice. The guitar captured my and held me as tightly as the vocals.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Lazer Lloyd - Real [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“When art is genuine and heartfelt it rarely disappoints and Lazer Lloyd delivers both with his single, ‘Real.’

Lazer’s comment on what is behind the song, ‘What do you think it means to be real? What’s your version of reality? Are you controlling your mind or is your mind controlling you? Keep it real to feel the pure manifestation living through you without adding the past, future, like or dislike. I’m a this or a that. Just be truly real beyond description and concepts, completely awake in this very moment which is the only real thing that ever exists...’

This is the kind of track that sticks with you and makes you think long after after the last note. Classic, timeless, and heartfelt! ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger