Amp Melo - Hoop Dreamz [Music Review] March 22, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “Amp Melo gives us an old school Boom Bap style track honoring the ‘Hoop Dreamz’ many of us had back in the day. Sadly, reality usually comes knocking on the door for most of us, but that nostalgia, for the time when anything felt possible keeps us all thinking about the what ifs. This track is the soundtrack for that, and the smooth groove makes it a song you can jam to alone or with a group.” — 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
Daimo Dunkin - Posies [Music Review] March 20, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Trap, Rap, Hip-Hop Rating: 4 out of 5 “Daimo Dunkin doe a great job of honoring the old school era of Hip-Hop and infusing contemporary emotions and ideas into this hard hitting track. ’Posies’ is a hype track, but not in the traditional sense as it does the job of motivating with low-key grit and resolve rather than through hyper boasts and hard beats. The production behind the flow adds to the grime of determination on the track, and the flow is unrelentless in its emotive power.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
stew - Diorama [Music Review] March 20, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Singer/Songwriter Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Delivering a raw, singer /songwriter type track, ‘Diorama’ showcases stew’s talent and emotive power. The writing is sharp, and the performance drips with feeling. This track is about those well-intentioned friends and family often think they know what’s best for us. When you are an artist, chasing what can be viewed as an impossible dream to the nondreamers of the world, those manipulations and comments from others only intensify as they “suggest’ what you should be doing what your life more freely.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Conflict Choir - The Real Thing [Music Review] March 17, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Alternative, Rock Rating: 4 out of 5 “Conflict Choir nailed it when they described their new single, ‘The Real Thing,’ as ... it’s like Soundgarden had a jam with Jeff Buckley. The single has a hanting timeless quality and there are hints of multiple decades in the song. From the 70’s on up to today this UK band doesn’t feel derivative but rather like an evolution, and I can’t wait to hear more from this talented band. ” — 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
Johnny Orlando - Vegas [Music Review] March 11, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Commercial, Alternative, Pop Rating: 4 out of 5 “Johnny Orlando is poised to take the reins from Beiber as Canada’s reining Pop king. His latest single, ‘Vegas’ shows his vocal range and depth of emotion. The track is an affirmation of love and will no doubt find its way into many a playlist dedicated to love and infatuation. The song has a self-aware, sensual feel as well as a vulnerability that comes though in Orlando’s talented performance.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Ice Meez - My Moment [Music Review] March 08, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Contemporary R&B, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Ice Meez knows how to sell the emotion and feeling of his well-written lyrics and once again delivers an impactful song for our listening pleasure. ’My Moment’ is a track that delivers truth and hope, without ignoring the difficult realties of this world we all face. The song has grit and genuine emotion, and Meez’s flow is delivered with an emotive power. The chorus adds a smooth groove that breaks that up perfectly to give the track a nice balance.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
BOY LOCO - Slow Dancing [Music Review] March 08, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Commercial, Indie Pop, Alternative, Pop Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “BOY LOCO delivers a nice, smooth track that emotes a nostalgic brand of reminiscences and motivates your heart to open up and feel. For me the track has a hint of regret, stemming from doubt that maybe the narrator did not hold onto the relationship the way they should have. Or perhaps there was a loss that ended things. Of course others may take this track as more of a post date type euphoria in that the singer simply cannot wait to get back together with their person for some slow dancing.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Bshortt - Sushi At Mikuni [Music Review] March 01, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Trap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “Bshortt gives us some true Rap fusion on this track. Utilizing a Latin inspired beat and melody, the track ranges from a soulful R&B groove in the quieter moments, to an Old-School rap delivery that gives the listener retro vibes. ’Sushi at Mikuni’ takes the listener for a joyride on the back of a strong and confident flow that both cuts and soothes as it builds. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Cece Benz - End Us [Music Review] February 27, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Singer/Songwriter, Indie Pop Rating: 4 out of 5 “This track is about regret and love. Often, regrets over love come from not taking that shot, but this track is about not breaking up with you know the relationship is not for you. It is about the regret of fighting for something you don’t even want in the first place. Cece Benz has artfully written every word to give this track a literary story feel that not many songwriters can pull off as effectively as ‘End Us’ does.The great writing here makes the listener personally invested right form the beginning.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
That Brunette - birthday boi [Music Review] February 27, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Electro Pop Rating: 4 out of 5 “That Brunette gives us a track of nostalgia and societal defiance. An anthem of sorts against the norms, ‘birthday boi’ is about celebrating with that one friend you can be your true self with and forget the world is out there raging around you while you do. This song lyrically feels like a teen movie from the 80s but the Electro Pop edge is decidedly modern and the combo is a great way to show that some things and emotions never change even if the world around us does. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Lui Peng - Otherside [Music Review] February 27, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Pop, Alternative Rating: 4 out of 5 “Lui Peng deliver a pure Pop sound that has a Ed Sheeran meets the Weeknd vibe for me. ‘Otherside’ is an emotional love song that will no doubt make its way to a lot of shared playlists and dedications.Coming with a nice emotive energy and upbeat tempo the track has a feel good side to go with the romantic vulnerability. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Bex - Did I Do Something Wrong? [Music Review] February 27, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Pop, Alternative, Pop Rating: 4 out of 5 “Bex deliver the kind of vocal power and emotiveness that is rare individually but all the more so when found in tandem. ’Did I Do Something Wrong?’ offers a slow emotional build and conjured imagery all on its own. This lends the track a theatrical bent that cannot be ignored but here the drama does not feel manufactured simply real and genuine. The track has a modern Stevie Nicks vibe and could have been a Fleetwood Mac track back in the day but that is not to say it feels dated or even particularly retro. More like timeless in this case. ” — 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
Caroline Romano - Used by You [Music Review] February 27, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Alternative, Pop, Rock Rating: 4 out of 5 “Caroline Romano has established herself as one of my favorite artists that routinely submits their creative efforts to LA on Lock and I look forward to catching her show May 2nd at the El Rey Theatre here in Los Angeles. ’Used by You’ is a an honest unyielding track about one sided relationship and the amount one party is willing to give while the other simply takes and takes. Catch this rising Alt-Pop star on tour at these locations.Caroline Romano Tour Dates:April 26 - Bend, OR @ Domino RoomApril 27 - Portland, OR @ Polaris HallApril 28 - Seattle, WA @ NeumosApril 30 - San Francisco, CA @ The IndependentMay 2 - Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey TheatreMay 3 - Santa Ana, CA @ Constellation RoomMay 4 - Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent BallroomMay 7 - Dallas, TX @ House of Blues Cambridge RoomMay 8 - Austin, TX @ Antone’s Nightclub ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
talker - Easygoing [Music Review] February 27, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Nothing can render us more vulnerable than our own insecurities and ‘Easygoing’ from talker perfectly renders that dynamic into an entertaining ode to perhaps our brain’s worst function.The track is sharp-edged yet tender and soft, not an easy combo to create and meld into a cohesive build and listening experience that is both meanigfu;a nd heartfelt. But talker does exactly that with precision and flair on this track. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
The Ability - Constellations [Music Review] February 19, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Alternative, Rock Rating: 4 out of 5 “With strong imagery and a hard-edged musical arrangement, ‘Constellations’ from The Ability is the Alternative Rock track you didn’t know you needed to hear.There is an element of hope within this lyrical build, but there is also the peril and pain of the journey we all call life. The build almost feels hectic at times but then again, so does everyday existence so the vibe is perfect for the message the song is trying to convey. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Beks - Think About It [Music Review] February 19, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Electro Pop Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Temptation lurks in the shadows for us all and Australian songstress, Beks takes on temptation with her latest single, ‘Think About It.’For me the track is the antitheses of Miley’s hit ‘Flowers.’ the vibe has the same brand of independence though instead of a using that as a brand of revenge this track is about resistance. The vocal talent and funky groove is pure Pop perfection, and I fully expect to hear this track all over the place in the coming months. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Libby Whitehouse - OMG [Music Review] February 19, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Electro Pop, Commercial Rating: 4 out of 5 “Libby Whitehouse unleashed this energetic Pop track and it is exactly the kind of song that catches fire and goes viral. ‘OMG’ has a catchy hook that we can all song along to and the infectious beat transports us to a different time and place as we lose the world around us for a few minutes. A fun song to throw your head back and sing along as you move to the beat.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger