Emili - Autopilot [Review] August 21, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Commercial, Indie Rock, Pop Rating: 4 out of 5 “Emili comes at you with a vibe sweet innocence vocally, but the emotions of the songwriting delivers an edge and grit. ’Autopilot’ is about rut, routine, and expectations. The desire to shake things up rather than than toe the line and do exactly what everyone is expecting and demanding of you.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Evening's Empire - Movies (Who I Really Am) [Review] August 13, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock, Pop, Rock Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Evening’s Empire has captured the Indie Rock vibe and sound and distilled it into an engaging first single from their upcoming album, Alive For Us. There are definitely hints of Springsteen here, though the track has its own vibe musically that makes it stand alone with a sound that grips you as it builds into an emotional crescendo. ‘Movies (Who I Really Am)’ is as the band says ... about the resolve to hold on to the parts of life that make it worth living.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Thirsty Curses - Bruises On Your Shoulders [Music Video Review] August 04, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Indie Rock, Indie Pop, Americana Rating: 4 out of 5 “A clever bit of songwriting, and a simple yet imaginative video highlight this track. There is something here that reminded me of Elton John, but just a hint because Thirsty Curses certainly have their own brand of uniqueness to stand on.’Bruises On Your Shoulders’ is simply put ... the song of life. An entertaining and concise look at the ho-hum, the dreams, the everyday. Hard to categorize, but I was thoroughly entertained.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
The Mandevilles - You Feel Like Nothing [Review] July 31, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock, Indie Pop Rating: 4 out of 5 “Some flames simply cannot be reignited, and The Mandevilles give a classic Rock sound on “You Feel Like Nothing,’ a track that takes a dive into that very idea on relationships. Coming with a raspy vocal sound that reminded me some of Bonnie Raitt, this song taps into the emotions of the singer’s own experiences and that fact shines through in the genuineness you feel while listening.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
All My Friends Hate Me - Blood [Review] July 18, 2020 by Travis Erwin in music, Indie Rock, Indie Pop, Punk Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “My job as a reviewer usually involves me summarizing and then encapsulating a song to bring it alive to entice potential listeners in a scant few words. But sometimes it is best to let the artist describe their track and this is the case on this one ... This is a confession. Sorry, mom. ’Blood’ is about the 14-year-old insomniac kid I used to be, who was dying to get out of a small town, and would do pretty much anything to feel alive. I used to wait until my mom went to sleep so I could ‘borrow”‘ the car keys and take my friends on late-night joyrides in her beat up Volvo. For some reason, a LOT of those nights ended with all of us laughing at each other, and bleeding all over a grocery store parking lot, after trying to pull off Jackass stunts in shopping carts. It’s the ‘Blood’ that made us who we are. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
TWO - Cage Fighter [Review] July 17, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock, Alternative Rating: 4 out of 5 “There comes a time when you either tap out, or you dig in and fight. ‘Cage Fighter’ is a track about the latter option and the duo that is TWO, embodies that not only in the lyrics and arrangement of this song, but in the fact they have emerged from their own strife and struggles to reunite with this project. A hard rocking track with an edge, this is one to add to your motivational playlists. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
The Dirty Pennies - Love Ain't Free [Review] July 12, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock, Alternative Rating: 4 out of 5 “Oh hell yeah! They say a thing that just keeps coming back around is like a dirty penny, well here The Dirty Pennies bring back that hard edged infectious rock sound that is timeless so maybe that is how the band got its name. ’Love Ain’t Free’ is a gritty jam that wraps around you an refuses to let you walk away. There is a decided White Stripes vibe to this track.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Dallas Thornton - Dance Till We Die [Music Video Review] July 08, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Indie Rock, Alternative, Pop, Rock Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Dallas Thornton is an entertainer in every possible way and that is evident in the rocking sweeping performance of his vocals, as well as his theatrics in the video that comes with this track. I mean this in the best possible way, but if Pauly Shore had a baby with Lady Gaga, I imagine the result would grow up to look a lot like this video.This is anthem, a Rock celebration, an energetic stomp across the musical stage. So have fun, break out the air guitar, and the imaginary microphone and let yourself join in as we ‘Dance Till We Die.’” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Bad Flamingo - Butter [Review] July 03, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock, Indie Pop Rating: 4 out of 5 “We have featured Bad Flamingo before and I’ve long been a fan. The diverseness of their sound is especially impressive in a time when many artists sound the same on every track they release. ’Butter’ is not an easy song to categorize, but it is an Indie Rock vibe with a trippy and meandering melody that sort of mesmerizes and comes across as smooth as butter on warm toast. Intriguing vocals add to the dynamic.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Gab De La Vega - Phoenix From The Flames [Review] July 01, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Punk, Indie Rock, Alternative Rating: 4 out of 5 “This is a high-energy track comes at you with one foot in the Alternative sound of the 90s, and another in more of a contemporary Folk Rock stratosphere. Delivering a solid Rock and Roll vibe, ‘Phoenix From The Flames’ is about taking the hard punches life comes at you with, and not only surviving, but thriving to fight another day.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Fab The Duo - Our Love Is Resistance [Music Video Review] June 30, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Indie Rock, Pop, Alternative Rating: 4 out of 5 “Coming with a big bold statement, Fab The Duo comes with ‘Our Love Is Resistance’ which speak loud and clear its beliefs and intentions. From the duo themselves ... ’Our Love Is Resistance’ is a power ballad in honor of Pride Month and the #blacklivesmatter movement. The music video was filmed at Stonewall, the birthplace of gay rights. With beautiful gospel harmonies, cinematic horn section, and wailing guitar, this rock anthem reminds listeners that love truly conquers all!”” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Raye Zaragoza - The It Girl [Review] June 27, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock Rating: 4 out of 5 “The lyrics catch your attention right away. ‘The It Girl,’ is a track about the notion and idea of feminine perfection and how sadly the Western world has Barbie-ized the concept. This track offers razor sharp lyrics, talented vocals, and a nice little funky groove to drive it all forward. Raye Zaragoaza comes at you with a confident attitude and a hint of defiance to prove she is indeed — an It Girl.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger) http://www.rayezmusic.comhttps://www.facebook.com/Rayemusic/https://twitter.com/rayezaragozahttps://www.instagram.com/rayezaragoza/
Jake Pinto - Home [Review] June 12, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock Rating: 4 out of 5 “A genre-bending track just made for singing along to, ‘Home,’ has a bit of that old analog sound that makes it come with a nostalgic vibe. The energy is such that it feels like a party with friends from the very start and lyrically we all have a soft spot in our memories for Home, no matter where that may be. Call it Indie Rock or maybe Americana, but Jake Pinto really dens;t need a label here. He just needs you to listen and belt out this tune along with him.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Modern Adventures - Can I Call You [Review] May 29, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “There is never a bad time to fall in love, but that said, the carefree spirit of summer seems the perfect season to experience the dizzying array of emotions that comes with the act. Modern Adventures has not only captured the feeling of falling in love, but also has given us the perfect summer vibe with ‘Can I Call You.’ This Indie Rock track delivers a purely modern vibe and yet it is not impossible to imagine the Beach Boys creating such a feel good tune simply made for the bright sunshine.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Joshua Wood Orchestra - Surrender [Music Video Review] May 25, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Music Videos, Indie Rock Rating: 4 out of 5 “This track took a little bit to find its legs for me, but once the vocals really got going I was hooked in and enamored by the sound. The tone is unique, with a splash of Dylan and a bit more of Orbison going on vocally, with a Springsteen kind of vibe to the overall arrangement as well. Lyrically, the track is more repetitive than perhaps most of the music that sticks with me but here it all works as part of a mood and attitude.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Year of the Tiger - Hot Kiss [Review] May 25, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock Rating: 4 out of 5 “Add this one to your summer time playlist! Year of the Tiger delivers a classic rock vibe that hints of 80s’ sound, but still delivers a nice contemporary vibe. ’Hot Kiss’ is a song that you will be singing along to after the first chorus, and it is exactly the kid of single that has both a party vibe and a reflective nostalgia that you can dig in on while listening alone as well.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Moby Rich - friends* [Review] May 19, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Commercial, Indie Pop, Indie Rock Rating: 4 out of 5 “Alt-pop duo Moby Rich joined forces with the multi-platinumed talent, Bishop Briggs for a new single. In the case of ‘Friends*’ the asterisk is important, because sometimes those friends mean more to us than we are willing to let on. The longer you have been designated as friends, the harder it is to take the risk and let it be known you wish to be more. I don’t think there is a person of dating age alive that has not found themselves in this scenario so the song hits home for us all. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
The Rad Trads - 99 in October [Review] May 19, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock, Indie Pop Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Bringing a humorous take on a serious problem, The Rad Trads ask the tongue-in-cheek question ... What happens to that summer fling when global warming extends summer into perpetuity? The track delivers a solid summer vibe and a wealth of sounds to the mix giving it a fun energy. And lyrically the single is sharp, but the heart of the premise is indeed a serious matter. The fact the band was able to toe the line and give us both is a testament to their talent and skill, both while performing, and creating. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
TWO - Phoenix [Review] May 15, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock, Alternative Rating: 4 out of 5 “The raw emotion of the vocals comes in with the first word and the build continues until you can almost feel the explosion to come. And when the rebirth of the namesake ‘Phoenix’ from the ashes comes up in a big bold chorus, it is hard not to feel the chill of dogged determination. The track feels sensual and bare in the most vulnerable of ways, and yet it conveys strength and resolve that rings loud and true. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
David Redd - Say No More [Review] May 13, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “David Redd brings a classic timeless Rock sound to his latest single, ‘Say No More.’ The art of songwriting is present in the lyrical structure of this track that conjures up thoughts of Springsteen, Isbell, Petty, and The Band. Sitting somewhere between Rock and Americana this is a track that feels escapist somehow. A tune you would put on as you drive down a dark stretch of highway while trying to clear your mind or get away from something heavy and dark. There is enough emotional punch to make you feel but not so much that you can’t also feel free and alive as you listen.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)