Sam Marks - Wash Over Me [Music Video Review] December 08, 2022 by Travis Erwin in Music, Adult Contemporary, Indie Rock Rating: 4 out of 5 “We all have our moments of despondence and despair, and this track captures those emotions with talent and precision. Sam Marks delivers ‘Wash Over Me’ with a soulful emotive brand of despair that blends perfectly with the musical arrangement and sound. The track offers a deliberate and definite vibe and is the kind of song that is perfect to listen to on those dark, lonely night of melancholy while clutching a glass filled with a strong beverage.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
CARØLINA - I want it now [Music Review] November 26, 2022 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock, Alternative Rating: 4 out of 5 “Compulsions are a tough thing to fight and when they stem from lust or love the complex array of emotions are even harder to fight. This track from CARØLINA delves into just that with a Amy Winehouse/ZZ Ward kind of soulful groove that adds a sultry vibe. A slow burn that cranks up the heat in deliberate fashion. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Bad Flamingo - I Won't Let You Die Young [Music Review] October 26, 2022 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock, Americana Rating: 4 out of 5 “Few bands can capture the level of allure and intrigue that Bad Flamingo does with their sound. Sure the masks they wear play part of the role in the imagery but the sound and songwriting are every bit as much to do with the mystery and intrigue. landing somewhere between Americana and Indie Rock this duo routinely delivers an outlaw aura of loneliness and desperation that translates into engaging and thought provoking songs. ‘I Won’t Let You Die Young’ ads to their catalogue of strong lyrics and mood setting tones.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Gina Naomi Baez - skyline [Review] August 05, 2022 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock, Alternative, Pop Rating: 4 out of 5 “Gina Naomi Baez is a successful actor and multi-talented artist. Her latest track, ‘skyline’ is about finding and holding on to positivity even when life turns dark and tumultuous. A slow building and emotional delivery holds the listener tight and well-written lyrics keep the intrigue and attachment at peak levels. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Rainie Zenith - Reasons To Hate Me [Music Video Review] July 13, 2022 by Kreadiv Kesh in Singer/Songwriter, Indie Pop, Indie Rock Rating: 4 out of 5 “This song is an example of giving zero fxcks and choosing to just be you. Rainie Zenith describes and demonstrates her interests not caring who cares. She is happy with being her true self and this visual is humorous yet positive. It lets the world know that it doesn’t matter what others think, you can’t satisfy everyone. We are all different.” — Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]
Kenny Sharp - Good Gemini [Review] June 06, 2022 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rock, Indie Rock, Bedroom Rating: 4 out of 5 “A fun honest track about the intricacies of a relationship and how an observant and caring partner can simply know what’s going on. The track is light, but still impactful and simply feels genuine in ways few songs pull off. Kenny Sharp believes what he is singing and that comes through in every line and moment. ’Good Gemini’ is the kind of song that might never pull in the masses but will instill a deep connection with those who take the time and truly feel the lyrics and nuance of the performance. An artful track one might say.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
aedie - Rundown [Review] May 28, 2022 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock Rating: 4 out of 5 “The struggle is real when you are landlocked and craving to feel those sweet rollicking waves under your board. This track is an ode to the surfing road trip and the melodic groove is a vibe without a doubt. Add it to your playlist and come along for the ride. Bask in the tasty waves of this track as you ‘Rundown’ to the ocean along with aedie and his crew.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Freedom Fry - Strange For Love [Review] May 19, 2022 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock, Folk 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
Wake The Sun - King of the Road [Music Video Review] May 06, 2022 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Americana, Folk, Indie Rock 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
lodet - Smile [Review] May 06, 2022 by Travis Erwin in Music, Singer/Songwriter, Indie Rock, Indie Pop Rating: 4 out of 5 “A long time fan of the Laurel Canyon sound, lodet drops a new track, ‘Smile,’ which delivers a bit of that sound, as well as a bit of Dylan, and a splash of Lennon to complete a nuanced and energetic ode the past. All without sacrificing contemporary relevancy. lodet’s Swedish home is a long way, both in time and distance from the height of the Laurel Canyon scene, but this track bridges the gap with ease and talent and is a nice modern spin of that sound. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
St. Arnaud - Cle Elum, WA [Review] April 30, 2022 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock Rating: 4 out of 5 “Deliberate honest emotions, and a pleasing melody behind a passionate emotive delivery. Sounds simple, but so many artists struggle to find all of these elements and distill them into a three or four minute track. St. Arnaud routinely does just that and has achieved the feat once again with ‘Cle Elum, Wa,’ a song that hooks you in and pulls you along. Hard to categorize genre wise, this track is simply good music from a talented artist. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Maddie Poppe - One That Got Away [Review] April 30, 2022 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock, Commercial, Adult Contemporary Rating: 4 out of 5 “This track made me think Bruno Mars meets Taylor Swift. The beat and groove are all Pop Funk, but lyrically, I hear some comparisons to the emotion Swift routinely delivers. Maddie Poppe incorporates the best elements of both on this track. ’One That Got Away’ is a snappy single that pulls the listener along with smooth grace and ease. As we enter the cusp of fun and sun, this track delivers the solid summer vibes we all need.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Review
Kelaska - Tightrope [Review] April 29, 2022 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Pop, Indie Rock, Commercial Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “The need to fit in and conform overcomes us all at times, but it is easy to lose yourself while trying to please the world around us. Kelaska offers an emotional track about that very struggle. Walking that ‘Tightrope’ is a dicey proposition but falling in on this track is anything but as the build and emotional vulnerability sell the track early before the tempo shift and a sort of fierce determination takes hold. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Kat Von D - Enough (Bat Cave Mix) [ April 13, 2022 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Indie Rock, Alternative Rating: 4 out of 5 “Kat Von D is an icon. Her reach has expanded far beyond the tattoo world and you never quite know where she will be making an impact next. For now you can enjoy her sultry tones at the mic where she is supported by Dave Grohl’s masterful drumming to bring her track, ‘Enough’ to your speakers. The track is all, about mood and vibe as is Kat Von D herself. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
S.G Goodman - All My Love Is Coming Back To Me [Music Video Review] April 08, 2022 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock, Americana Rating: 4 out of 5 “Kentucky rock & roll truth teller S.G. Goodman releases a new indie rock single, ‘All My Love Is Coming Back To Me’ from her forthcoming album Teeth Marks, set for release June 3 via Verve Forecast. Goodman has a unique quiver to her voice that is almost Joplin-esque and the passion and attitude are infused into every word. I was also reminded of Jack White while listing tot he track so she is very good company with her sound. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Southbank - Best Mistake [Review] April 02, 2022 by Travis Erwin in Music, Americana, Folk, Indie Rock 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
J. Graves - Valentine [Music Video Review] March 23, 2022 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Indie Rock, Punk Rating: 4 out of 5 “Taken purely as a standalone song, ‘Valentine’ is a treat for the senses. Portland’s, J. Graves has the talent and verve to pull of the track with attitude and talented flair, but you cant take this single on its solo merits alone. The [project is fun and unique as part of a musical, choose your own adventure thread. The video ends with a question and your answer will determine the next track and so forth down the line making the music truly interactive. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
REAVEN - Ordinary Heroes [Music Video Review] March 04, 2022 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Indie Pop, Indie Rock Rating : 4 out of 5 “Have we all lost control of our own lives? Has social media taken over and pushed our dark sides to the forefront? Or are there some ‘Ordinary Heroes’ left that are not slaves to public perception? These are the questions posed by REAVEN on their latest track and they are worthy ones to ask. This is an Indie Rock anthem that feels like both a protest and a wakeup call all the while offering solid entertainment and talent to back it up.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Sahara Beck - Stillness [Review] March 04, 2022 by Travis Erwin in Music, Singer/Songwriter, Indie Rock, Indie Pop Rating: 4 out of 5 “Sahara Beck delivers a haunting yet tender set of vocals on this track. ‘Stillness’ is sort of the calm before the storm with fear and anxiety looming on the horizon, the track’s lyrics and vocal style bring out the rising dread you feel when you realize the world is about to tip and become less stable. Deliver in nuanced fashion, the impact is all the stronger. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Hotel Mira - Speaking Off the Record [Music Video Review] March 01, 2022 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Pop, Rock, Indie Rock, Indie Pop Rating: 4 out of 5 “The road to stardom is fraught with all manner of stress and pitfalls as is life itself, and Hotel Mira captures that with ‘Speaking off The Record.’ Any artist worth their salt has experienced hard times as most often the tough times are the creative fuel that inspires great art. This track is candid and raw and taps into the pain and turmoil that we all feel and experience, but are often too afraid to share with the world.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger