Bob Gemmell - Lesson Number Two [Review] August 11, 2024 by Kreadiv Kesh in Singer/Songwriter, Indie Rock Rating: 2 out of 5 “The song had a rough start. It sounded off key but slowly started to sound better. The guitar sound is there which makes it interesting. However, the pause and switch in tempo didn’t really help. Overall the vocal delivery and the length of the song could be what is messing with the overall cadence of the song. I would try to stay more consistent with the vocal delivery and not hit certain notes as hard.” — Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]
Born Runner - A Long Time [Music Review] August 04, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Downtempo, Jazz, Music, Indie Rock, Indie Pop, Alternative, Pop Rating: 4 out of 5 “By his own admission Born Runner is surprisingly bad at running, but lucky for all of us he can sing and entertain. ‘A long Time’ is a Indie Rock track that simply feels like the soundtrack for a fun Saturday night out on the town. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Jake Kulak - Animals [Music Review] August 02, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock, Alternative, Rock Rating: 4 out of 5 “This guitar heavy track from Jake Kulak brings the timeless INdir Rock sound that could be from any recent decade. ‘Animals’ is the kind of song music lovers can dig in on and feel to the core. Simply a rock solid track musically, vocally, and in the lyrical build. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Fake Dad - Crybaby [Music Review] July 04, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock, Indie Pop, Alternative, Rock Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “Fake Dad is an LA based Pop Synth duo that has an Indie Rock vibe with just enough Pop Punk influence to add a razor edge to the sound. ’Crybaby’ is about the pursuit of fleeting fame and how desperate society has become to snatch their fifteen minutes. The track delivers a nice energy and spark and I can’t wait to hear more from this talented duo. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Tyler Jarvis -Goodbye [Review] June 24, 2024 by Kreadiv Kesh in Indie Rock, Pop Rating: 3 out of 5 “The song has a randomly rocky start. It sounds like the guitar is off key in the intro but leads into the artists. Around the 40 sec mark there is a shift in the artist’s tone which makes the song more engaging. I must agree the chorus hits hard and the artist’s vocal tone as well. These two things is what saves the song” — Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]
Trees and Timber - All the Best [Music Review] June 17, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock, Alternative, Rock Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “Trees and Timber are a vibe. Pinning a style on the sound of this track is tough, but call it Indie Rock if you must have one. I hear Punk, Folk, Rock vibes throughout and the vocals have sort of a wry reverence to really bring them home. “All The Best’ is a glimmer of hope in a darkening world. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Julia Logan - Mirrors [Music Review] May 30, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Folk, Pop, Indie Rock Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “Swedish artist, Julia Logan offers this Folk Pop track that is long on heart and soul and short of unnecessary production and glitter. The style is straightforward and heartfelt. Logan lets the emotion do the heavy lifting, though her emotive vocal talent certainly draws the listener in, making it easy to kick back and let the words and melody wash over you.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Shane Rennison - I Think It's You [Music Review] May 25, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock, Indie Pop, Adult Contemporary Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “The writing and premise of this track caught my attention and held me for the duration. I did crave more vocal variation from Shane Rennison on the track as the delivery stays with that one melancholic tone for the duration.At its heart, ‘I Think It Is You,’ is a breakup song or at least one of self reflection that is going to lead to a breakup. Realizing the person you thought could be a long-term partner isn’t the one is a tough call and an emotional one a we first have to admit we were wrong in our original assessment. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Kelly McMichael - Bomb [Music Review] May 17, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock Rating: 4 out of 5 “Kelly McMichael ignites the fuse on this ‘Bomb,’ with a sound that borrows from the retro vibes of the 80s. That said, the track feels entirely contemporary so while yes, I was reminded of the Go-Go’s, I was also invested in the attitude and lyrical build that hits like the bluntness of today’s social media charged world. The vocal power and musical energy are up in your face in all the best ways.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Vilhelm Buchaus - Snow In The Summer [Music Review] May 17, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock, Indie Pop, Alternative Rating: 4 out of 5 “This track comes in with a retro 80’s vibe. Not quite Hair Metal, but more like a Springsteen, Bon Jovi kind of energy and old school rock style that provides instant nostalgia. Beyond that, Vilhelm Buchaus infuses passion and talent into ‘Snow In The Summer,’ that keeps you glued in for the build and climax of the track. Along the way the song started to feel more contemporary for me though truthfully it delivers what I’d consider a timeless sound.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Velvet Rouge - Lonely Since The Day We Met [Music Review] May 16, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock, Alternative, Rock, Pop Rating: 4 out of 5 “Velvet Rouge reminded me of Lucinda William on this track. Yes there are multiple voices, but the grit and overall tone had that same brand of defiant excellence that William does so well. ’Lonely Since The Day We Met’ builds in passion and energy throughout, and once it bites unto your psyche it refuses to let go. This is the, in-your-face goodbye that we all want to deliver at some point in our life. Now we have an easy song to share with those offending parties as we say adios! ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
EDIE - Lie to Me [Music Review] April 29, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock, Indie Pop, Alternative Rating: 4 out of 5 “Coming with a Pop Punk sound that has notes of 90s Grunge, EDIE unleashes her anger with ‘Lie To Me.’ Razor sharp lyrics cut to the bone in this break up anthem and EDIE’s vocals sell the anger and emotion start to finish. This track is perfect for anyone going through a breakup or needing that reminder about the liar in their past. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
EĐĐIE - Letters April 26, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock, Indie Pop, Commercial Rating: 4 out of 5 “Written from an actual letter the artist received, ‘Letters’ is an engaging ride from singer/songwriter EĐĐIE.The track ahs an Alt Pop or Indie Rock kind of vibe. The vocal performance is emotive and keeps the listener leaning in for the duration as t builds to his response to the letter. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Born Runner - Lose Yourself Tonight [Music Review] April 17, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock, Indie Pop, Alternative, Pop Rating: 4 out of 5 “A high-energy track that sort of feels like Bruno Mars meets Neon Trees.Born Runner delivers a unique sound so pinning them to any particular genre, or one direct comparison to another artist is tough, but I’ll call ‘Lose Yourself Tonight’ a Indie Rock Funk and say it is a perfect track for any motivational or party playlist because it delivers fun energy at every single turn.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Marella - I Think She's In Love With Me [Music Review] April 12, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock, Indie Pop Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “Marella has a Retro vibe over a Contemporary sound. That might sound weird but give them a lsitena nd you’ll see what I mean.There are elements of surf rock and some traditional vibes to go with a lively West Coast spirit that feels right at home in today’s Pop landscape. Beach Boys meets Glass Animals.’I Think She’s In Love With Me,’ is about that hopeless feeling of falling in live and there is a nice blend of emotion and nostalgia to make you feel the lyrical build each step of the way. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Bad Flamingo - Numb [Music Review] April 11, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock, Americana, blues Rating: 4 out of 5 “No artist or band delivers dark, folksy blues the way Bad Flamingo can. The raspy tone and air of alluring mystery permeates most of their work and this intriguing duo keeps cranking out the engaging tracks utilizing that branded sound. ’Numb’ paints a picture and transports the listener to a dimly lit backstreet, a dusty dirt path, a concrete wasteland as a vagabond traveler drops the decree of the despondent, the independent, the restless. This track is a vibe and so is Bad Flamingo.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Nolea - Room [Music Review] April 09, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock, Indie Pop, Alternative Rating: 4 out of 5 “There is no dearth of musical talent in LA and now the band Nolea joins that fray with a an intelligent brand of introspections that is both chill and mentally provocative. ’Room’ is the kind of spacious song that allows the listen the rom they need to come to the emotion and lyrical build. There is an ethereal quality to the delivery and production dynamics here that simply allows you to freefall into the track.” — 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
Trapper Schoepp - Meet Me at the End of the World [Music Review] March 14, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock Rating: 4 out of 5 “The best songs transcend time and genre. Trapper Schoepp gives us that kind of timeless offering with ‘Meet Me at the End of The World.’The track is his homage to a mentor and in that regard I’ll defer to Schoepp’s own words about this track ....This upbeat indie rocker was written by NYC musician Jesse Malin and Mexican-American songwriter Alejandro Escovedo. Jesse is a mentor of mine and recently had a spinal stroke. This song is a benefit for him and it’d mean a lot if you’d consider it. He’s paralyzed and getting stem cell research. I am touring across EU now, singing this feel good song and raising funds for his recovery. This song is hitting radio airwaves here now! Thank you for taking a listen to this song! ❤️You can learn more Jesse Malin and his story at this ROLLING STONE ARTICLE here: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/jesse-malin-stroke-healthcare-fund-1234770111/” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Razor Braids - It Goes Quiet [Music Review] February 27, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock Rating: 4 out of 5 “Self -described as ... a Brooklyn-based, queer, female and non-binary identifying rock band that combines a heavy punk energy with an indie rock vulnerability culminating in passionate live shows and a dynamic sound anchored in a 90s alternative ethos ... Razor Braids is definitely a blend of nostalgia and modern day bad assery. ’It Goes Quiet’ is a track that you will feel like you;ve heard before at first listen but the deeper you dig in the more you realize it is every song you;ve heard before and no song you;ve heard before. it is universal but unique. It is a vibe that distills itself into spirits of the mind and body depending on your current chemistry. It is artful and entertaining in equal measures so give it a listen and discover what the track will mean to you. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger