Parker Lane - MAGIC [Music Review] March 29, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Americana, Commercial, Folk 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
Joh Chase - When I Got This Place [Music Video Review] March 22, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Singer/Songwriter, Folk, Indie Rock Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Joh Chase is fast becoming one of my favorite submitters to LA on Lock. A little bit Sheryl Crow, a little bit Brandi Carlile, and a wholelot star in the making, Chase simply grabs the torch from those contemporaries and takes a turn holding it high. ’When I got This Place’ is pure LA, yet still has that universal spirit that will carry it far beyond the sun rays of Southern California. A groove and vibe that simply wraps around you like a lovers embrace after a hard day.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Julia Logan - Top of the World [Music Review] March 22, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Folk, Singer/Songwriter Rating: 4 out of 5 “Swedish songstress, Julia Logan taps into the emotional toll that change and growth brings about within us. Logan grew up on a small island near Stockholm, but also spent time in Southern California thanks to family roots there, and that dreamy West Coast vibe certainly makes an appearance here. ’Top of The World’ has a haunting undercurrent that keeps the listener leaning in on tender hooks. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Love Over Anger Music- Better Rainbow [Review] January 24, 2024 by Kreadiv Kesh in Folk Rating: 2 out of 5 “The song sounds like a folklore but it doesn’t truly tell a story despite the descriptions given. The only thing that spoke to me was the strength of the instruments and their solo.” — Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]
Ships Have Sailed - Find My Way [Music Review] January 21, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock, Indie Pop, Folk, Alternative Rating: 4 out of 5 “The track has that light energetic vibe of artists such as One Republic or Mumford & Sons. There is a Folksy brand of Pop to the sound that is uplifting in nature. The gist of ‘Find My Way’ is about living your best life and taking the opportunities as they come because you never truly know wha tthe future entails.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Limandi - Put The Blame On Me [Music Review] January 17, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Pop, Folk Rating: 4 out of 5 “Limandi put her spin on toxic relationships with her track, ‘Put The Blame On Me.’ Emotional abuse comes in many forms and constantly blaming the other person is certainly one of those. Told anything often enough you just might start to believe it and shaking off that cloak of self-loathing can be tough. This exotic and intricate arrangement matches the sort of disarray or minds mist go through to emerge on the other side a new and stronger person.Limandi delivers this track in a sort of subdued control that sells the emotions well. There are Pop and songwriter vibes with hints of a brooding brand of dark Folk as well but the song is a tough one to categorize as anything beyond a talented worthy effort well worth your time.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Kurt Lee Wheeler - Girl From California (Acoustic) [Music Review] January 12, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Singer/Songwriter, Folk, Indie Rock Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “Starting over is never easy and in this track about losing yourself for the purpose of reinviting who you are, Kurt Lee Wheeler tell the story of a girl running from her past. The emotion and pain is evident in the delivery and this Folksy track tell a tale we can all relate to on some level. Stripepd downa dn bare this one resonates best as a solo endeavor to allow your brain to truly listen and process.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Mantocliff- Centuries [Review] December 18, 2023 by Kreadiv Kesh in Folk, Singer/Songwriter Rating: 4 out of 5 “The flow of the song has a peaceful yet tranquil sound to it. If you was looking for something to listen to and relax this would be it. Mantocliff carries a subtle emotion through out the song that doesn’t drift a listener away but allows them to build an emotional connection.” — Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]
Mary Middlefield - Atlantis [Music Review] December 06, 2023 by Travis Erwin in Music, Singer/Songwriter, Indie Pop, Folk, Americana 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
Daniel Ellsworth - After All [Music Video Review] November 28, 2023 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Indie Rock, Alternative, Folk, Rock Rating: 4 out of 5 “Daniel Ellsworth’s new track, “After All’ hot me like a psychedelic Elton John. Sure, Elton had his days of altered state and had some out there songs but Ellsworth hasn’t created anything derivative here in his vibe. Was more of a feeling for me with hints of Elton John and Grateful Dead as a loose connector to the sound.The video is also trippy by Ellsworth and his band the Great Lakes also infuse emotion and a strong sense of build in the track so besides the talent I was pulled in and took the full ride.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Bree Rusev - Summer Memories [music Review] November 25, 2023 by Travis Erwin in Music, Singer/Songwriter, Folk, Indie Pop Rating: 4 out of 5 “Ever wonder what Jimmy Buffet would sound like as an Australian Pop Folk singer? Okay, probably not, because that is a bit out there. However, that was my first thought while listening to Bree Rusev’s new track, ‘Summer Memories.’ Rusev is in no way derivative of Buffett, or even similar in style, though both are selling the same laid-back beach vibes and they do so with talent and emotion, the way few can.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Mae Krell - who we said we'd be [Music Review] November 10, 2023 by Travis Erwin in Music, Singer/Songwriter, Folk, Indie Pop Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “Mae Krell unfurls this slow tempo track with an emotive and tender vocal delivery. A track that paints a picture and leaves the listener the mental space to conjure up their own emotional remembrances. This is the type f track best listened to alone when yo can simply allow your mind to fall back and reflect. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Lily Kershaw - Depreshmode [Music Review] October 20, 2023 by Travis Erwin in Lyric Video, Singer/Songwriter, Folk Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Lily Kershaw comes in with heartfelt and vulnerable vocals that reminded me of vintage Emmylou Harris. ’Depreshmode’ is as tenderly written as it is performed. The emotion and gritty realness of depression is perfectly rendered and delivered. A song that will speak to all of us that have experienced dark times and deep holes and kept on battling through to the other side.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Michael Isaak - Okay With This [Review] September 28, 2023 by Guest User in Folk, Indie Pop, Pop Rating: 3 out of 5 “Michael Isaak lays himself bare with an honesty that would make most uncomfortable. With lyrics that feel like Michael is trying to convince himself as well as his lover that they’ll be ok, I don’t know who needs to believe it more. With blue tape acting like a totem from inception, Michael is fixated on that safe space this brother made for him all those years ago. ” — Andrew Amoah (LA On Lock Blogger)
Kacia - Plastic Straws [Review] September 18, 2023 by Guest User in Folk, Indie Pop, Pop Rating: 3 out of 5 “Kacia is a young artist who is finding himself, and he does it with a transparency most established artists haven’t figured out. Stepping into adulthood is never easy, and for a long time you still have teenage emotions just with adult responsibility. Kacia’s lyrics are so innocent, from painting the vivid picture waiting on his letter to Hogwarts to wondering which friends will be around as soon as the school bell rings for one last time. Plastic Straws is a beautiful fist step into adulthood. ” — Andrew Amoah (LA On Lock Blogger)
Matt Storm - Idle Hands [Review] September 15, 2023 by Guest User in Folk, R&B, Soul Rating: 4 out of 5 “Idle Hands feels like rushing water in a creek on a summer day in 1998. It’s honest in a way I don’t think people are often “I can’t sit still, I just need to run, I’m just like my Mum”. It’s self-reflective but in a way thats not beating down on yourself but almost smirking as you watch yourself spiral slowly. “Can’t help but laugh, at the state I’m in, it’s like imprisonment” is one of the most honest lyrics I think I’ve heard. Now excuse me whilst I go back to procrastinating away 2023. ” — Andrew Amoah (LA On Lock Blogger)
MICHA - Do Me Like You Do [Review] September 15, 2023 by Guest User in Alternative, Folk, Soul Rating: 5 out of 5 “When you’re opening verse includes the lines “She knows she could sell, lies to the devil, I’ve bought them myself” you mean BUSINESS. Do Me Like You Do feels like being ripped apart and being put back together by the person who ripped you apart in the first place. Vocally MICAH has the rare ability to let him self be consumed in the moment but maintain control over his voice. As out of control as his lover makes him feel he keeps himself composed in the storm. ” — Andrew Amoah (LA On Lock Blogger)
April Jai - I Kissed A Girl (Cover) [Review] August 11, 2023 by Guest User in Folk, Indie Pop, Pop Rating 4 out of 5 “April took a big and almost cheesy pop song and brought it right back down to earth and made it her own. Aprils version is so tender and and vulnerable. The lyrics are totally reframed into the honest self-reflection that they are. Absolutely beautiful. ” — Andrew Amoah (LA On Lock Blogger)
Femke - Love Somebody Else [Music Video Review] August 06, 2023 by Guest User in Indie Pop, Folk, Pop Rating 3 out of 5 “Even the devil was an angel sometimes” is such a poignant line, and thats what Femke does so well on this record. No word is wasted, Love Somebody Else is vidid poetry. The vocal performance is so honest and pure you can’t help but daydream of every love you’ve ever lost.” — Andrew Amoah (LA on Lock blogger) Embed Block Add an embed URL or code. Learn more
Taba Chake - Halfway [Review] August 04, 2023 by Guest User in Folk, Indie Pop, Pop Rating 4 out of 5 “Tabe hits us in the feels with this gut wrenching ode to figuring out why the hell we’re all here, how to make sense of our own little worlds. Vocally the record is arresting and lyrically so honest and reflecting. This is a special song. ” — Andrew Amoah (LA on Lock blogger)