Sean Waters and the Sunrise Genius - Easy Graces [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Bringing a classic singer/songwriter vibe, Sean Waters and the Sunrise Genius gives us this guitar driven track about loneliness amid a crowd. With lyrical nods to Dylan and Petty, the track has a hint of what can best be described as weed tranquility, but that is not to say there isn’t a deep meaning and takeaway.

The easy going vibe of ‘Easy Graces’ comes with a haunting quality that speaks to being misunderstood or worse unseen in a world that prizes itself on likes, shares and social engagement of all kinds.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

The Criticals - Under Your Nose [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“The Criticals are a bad ass duo out of Nashville, but don;t let any preconceived ideas on the city’s musical heritage fool you. Few bands can bring that Rock attitude like these guys. ‘Under Your Nose’ is an energetic, attitude-fueled ode to that snow that comes in the little plastic baggies, and the women that it captivates.

A little Punk and a lot of Indie Rock vibe give this song its juice.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Streetlight Shakers - The Story [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This upbeat, piano driven ballad is invigorating to the soul. ‘The Story’ highlights the fact that our stories each individually are never truly finished because each of our tales are interwoven with others and even once we are gone these interactions mean that threads of who and what we are carry on. The soaring chorus and vocals pull you along and the energy is truly palpable on the track. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Misty Boyce x Doe Paoro - The Clearing [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This Indie Rock song is absolutely meticulous. The vocal pairings are perfect, and the production spot on. From the backing to the melody, there are no missteps on this single. Lyrically the track is an emotionally heavy take on what comes next for our society in regards to the awakening of sexual assault and gender inequality. This is a thought provoking track that is also artistically captivating.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Stevie wolf - Ink [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“The honest genuine emotion of this track comes through immediately. Ink is a softly delivered ode to the scars we all bear, but to truly get a sense of the songs heart I defer to the artist ...

Stevie shares, “This song is kind of a mix between a love song and a fear song: afraid of falling in love, afraid of being too emotionally scarred for someone to love, thinking about the different kinds of marks and scars that we carry with us from the past. My ex was all tatted up, and it got me thinking about how maybe we’re all tattooed, but some of us on the inside. To me, this song was kind of written in an act of self-care and confession. Like I was in this relationship and carrying around these anxious thoughts in my head, and the song just came out in a flit of inspiration.”

The quiet guitar backing and the vocals style combine to be a tranquil elixir for the soul on this single.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Pastis - Stars & Marmalade [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The early hook of the melody pulled me in on this track, and from that point on, I never lost focus. The single has an old soul vibe to its bones, though the flesh is clearly modern.

Our we made of ‘Stars & Marmalade?’ ... Who knows, but I am certain this Indie Rock track is made of talent and that this is a track that had true life for me. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Freedom Fry - Happy Little Thoughts [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Freedom Fry is back with their own brand of ‘Happy Little Thoughts.’ This husband wife duo are releasing the track ahead of their upcoming album, Songs from the West Coast due May 29th.

The single delivers a hauntingly soft set of vocals about being down and out because it seems like the rest of the world is happier and more put together than you and your own life. Social media has certainly increased this sentiment for many and of course the current state of events has everyone stuck in a weird set of emotions.

I am a big fan of the varied sounds Freedom Fry deliver and look forward to the release of the album for even more surprises from this talented team.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Paden - All The Saints [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A quiet first verse ushers in this emotional cry for help. The track ramps up the emotional intensity as well as the tempo as the song progresses and the build pulls the listener along effortlessly until the second voice comes in with a surprising softness that drives home the vulnerability.

Fans of Coldplay will find it easy to connect with Paden’s style and sensibilities. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Kelsy Karter - "Devil On My Shoulder" [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track is a seductress. I didn’t really want to give in to it’s devilish charms, but Kelsy Karter gives a varied performance that is hard not to fall for, and the imagery of the video is fun and gripping as well.

Karter lives up to her unpredictable reputation with this track and the energy is undeniable. Give it a listen and be careful lest you to find a ‘Devil On My Shoulder.’ ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Picture This - "Troublemaker" [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“There are some tracks that just grab you and refuse to let you go. Picture This has given us one of those infectious singles with ‘Troublemaker.’

There is a campy quality to the video that grips you in the same way as a classic comedy that you don’t want to laugh and get drawn into, but then you find yourself quoting lines from that very flick years later. Here, the allure goes beyond the video, and this is a set of lyrics you will find yourself singing along to later as well. Don’t fight it, just give in and enjoy this unadulterated fun.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

S.G Goodman - Red Bird Morning [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Writing up a personal narrative, and tying it to something more so that it feels personally relevant for others is not easy chore, but S.G. Goodman has done so with ‘Red Bird Morning.’ Written about her time at the Standing Rock Protest the track feels both personally evocative, and intimately inviting. Like an old friend opening the screen door with a steaming cup of coffee in hand, and asking you in for a cup. The vocals are soft and yet ragged at the edges, and in them, is empathy, emotion and a knowledge you can’t help but crave more of. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Stellar Ash - Watch Me Go [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Straight up Rock and Roll that comes at you with attitude and something to say. This track is well-written and the performance engaging. The single stood out for me not only for the talent behind it, but the sheer fact it did not go out of its way to replicate a sound that came before it. Far too often modern Rock music is heavily reliant on the ghosts of the past, but here I got the sense that Stellar Ash simply were expressing themselves as they saw fit. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Couchsleepers - All I Want [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“There is a fun funky groove to the melody here, and coupled with the engaging vocal flow, ‘All I Want’ is a quietly energetic track that delivers hints of Elton John and John Mayer. An engaging set of lyrics holds you with the genuine emotion of their words and the build and progression offers enough variation to keep you guessing. Though not so much ... that you can’t fall in line and sing along. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

The High 90's - Lights Out [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“A dark brooding Rock song bringing a traditional classic sound, ‘Lights Out’ is a lyrical masterpiece. Capturing the plight of depression, this well-written track gives a glimpse of what it feel likes to be drowning in your own thoughts and emotions.

The hard rocking beat often gives way to soaring guitars on this track, but the transitions are balanced and everything about this one conveys the emotions behind the single. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

The Shatterheads - The Money [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The Shatterheads deliver a high energy Rock sound on ‘The Money,’ to cash in on an attitude that comes through every note and word.

Lyrically, this track has verve, but for this band and this song it is their spin on a recognizable style that hooked me first. Some bands just have that it factor that makes you sit up and pay attention, and The Shatterheads have arrived to give us another such essential band. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

MESSIMER - Witching Hour [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Part of a concept album, detailing the loss of MESSIMER’s father, ‘Witching Hour’ is a throwback kind of song. With vocals that feel like Folk Rock from the 60s, and a hint of The Beatles in the melody, the retro vibe is as strong as the emotion of the lyrics.

This is the kind of track that will speak loudly for some, and perhaps miss for others, especially if they have not experienced the kind of loss behind this track. For those that have, like myself, this one rings quite true.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Make You Cry - From the Loving Hands of Our Creator [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Don’t be fooled by the title of Make You Cry’s latest single, ‘From The Loving Hands Of Our Creator’ into thinking this is an uplifting bolt of inspirational lightness. Perhaps the song does offer its own brand of inspiration, but make no mistake this is a dark and brooding rock song.

The vocals are nuanced and emotional and the video offers up some evil rabbit imagery to add an element of appropriate weirdness to the metaphor of choice that the lyrics pose. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Escape The Box - Whatever Happened [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track is impossible to separate from its video and while watching, it unfolds like a short film more than a music video. Especially for the two plus minutes before the music kicks in. I wanted to stop and move on to the next submission early on, but something kept me tethered and watching.

The music hits at the exact second it needs to, adding emotional punch to the piece. The rebellious vibe of the Punk sound is alive here, but musically there is a second vibe that goes beyond that to give this track a fresh uniqueness that says ... Yes I’m pissed off and not going to take it anymore, but also ... I am headed onward to bigger better things.

This video is part of four song/four film project and I have a feeling once you’ve delved into one, you will be on the hook for the remainder. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Johnny Franco - Tell Me Something [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Folk Funk is how I’d describe this track from Brazilian Johnny Franco. Franco now calls Portland home and you can hear influences ranging from the Beetles to Dylan, to the Shakey Graves in his sound.

’Tell Me Something’ is the kind of single that just takes over and forces you to sing along and move. it is the kind of song that you will be singing the rest of the day.

Franco is having a good time on this track, and you will too while listening. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Caleb Mills - Sold My Soul [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“A thumping bass line leads the charge on this bluesy track from Caleb Mills. From Robert Johnson onward the lure of selling your soul to achieve your dreams has been tossed about, but this track puts a nice little groove pop rhythm with that refrain. Here the lyrics are more about sacrificing all else for a shot than they are a true deal with the devil.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)