mae krell - are you sure? [Review] March 05, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Singer/Songwriter, Pop, Folk Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “We all love to discover those powerful new voices and then share them with our friends. Here is your chance to be the musical explorer in your core group and share an important new voice. mae krell delivers talent and vulnerability that rises above what most artists are capable of. Written on the two year anniversary of their sobriety, “are you sure?” explores the low points that make you forget the progress you’ve already made. The emotion is temporary, but it’s painful to overcome. Sung with the tremor of someone on the verge of tears, the single is raw in the most intimate way, with Mae’s distinctive voice wavering over textured guitar and charango and piano accents. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Lauren Spring - I Remember You [Review] February 26, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Folk, Singer/Songwriter, Indie Pop Rating: 4 out of 5 “Lauren Spring has a timeless voice that carries hints of Ronstadt, Emmylou, and the entire Wet Coast Folk/Country sound of the 60s and 70s. That is not to say this track has a retro vibe, because Spring infuses plenty of modern touches to make “I Remember You’ stand out and above so many artists trying to put modern spins on classic sounds from that era. The smooth steady progression and lyrical flow feels like a warm hug from a friend on this track. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
AJ Smith - Roommate [Music Video Review] February 18, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Singer/Songwriter, Indie Pop Rating: 4 out of 5 “This track has a fun light air about it but still brings an honest and earnest vulnerability. AJ Smith is having fun here with a track written to ask his girlfriend to move in with him. the ukulele driven track tips its hat to classic doo wop, as well as other influences, and ends up just be an entertaining delight.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
mehro - chance with you [Review] February 17, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Singer/Songwriter, Pop Rating: 4 out of 5 “Coming with a soft, Bedroom Pop style of songwriting, mehro gives is a track about regret. ‘Chance With You’ is a reflective song about wanting to turn back the clock and take that shot you were too afraid of at the time. The vocals are full of yearning angst and you can feel the regret in every line. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
STF - September Skies [Music Video Review] February 13, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Commercial, Singer/Songwriter Rating: 4 out of 5 “Simple honesty in the trademark of this track by STF. Genuine emotions are to be found not only in the actual songwriting, but the tender delivery as well. Reminded me a bit of Phillip Phillips. Add this one to your reflective playlists for those times you want to take a calm memory trip into your past.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Yoji - If I Had Only Known [Review] February 12, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Neo-Soul, Soul, Singer/Songwriter Rating: 4 out of 5 “The soft and smooth vocal build kept me on the hook early on as Yoji built into the emotion of this soulful ballad. The gift of hindsight would be nice, and sometimes all we can do is trust that good things are coming, but this track offers a sweet refrain for those thankful of where they are now. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Adam Douglas - Build A Fire [Review[ February 05, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Funk, Singer/Songwriter Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Adam Douglas is a man of the world. Born and raised in Oklahoma, but now calling Norway home after a fair amount of travelling, he offers a timeless sound and style that transcends genre and demographics. WIth a soulful groove and a sultry crooners vocals, Douglas truly does ‘Build A Fire’ that will keep listening leaning in for the warmth.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Kane Miller - Catch My Heart [Review] January 29, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Singer/Songwriter, Folk Rating: 4 out of 5 “Kane Miller is no stranger to our readers and listeners and the talented Canadian songwriter is back with a Folksy ode to the insecurities of love. A tender guitar melody and Miller’s emotive vocals draw us in and make us feel every word. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Slaine - Chasing Ghosts (feat. Rite Hook) [Music Video Review] January 27, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Hip-Hop, Conscious, Singer/Songwriter Rating: 4 out of 5 “Slaine might be ‘Chasing Ghosts,’ on this Hip-Hop track about old flames, but he won’t be chasing listeners after more people get a chance to hear this track. The gravel in his flow, and the heart in his words combined to have me leaning in and on the hook for the duration. The chorus featuring Rite Hook adds another element to the emotions of this single.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Kobara - Addict to Your Love [Review] January 25, 2021 by Kreadiv Kesh in Conscious, Singer/Songwriter Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “If there was ever a story to be told then it would start with Kobara. Kobara’s new single ‘Addicted to Your Love’ is about having your heart stolen but still holding on to what you no longer have. He converts honesty into lyrics and provide us with a melody.” — Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)
Covstline -Tattooed Lies [Review] January 25, 2021 by Kreadiv Kesh in Indie Rock, Rock, Singer/Songwriter Rating: 4 out of 5 “Rock isn’t dead; you just have to find the right tunes. Covstline’s new single ‘Tattooed Lies’ is an 80’s inspired production with a twist. The punk rock vocals introductory has a clever delivery. Every tattoo someone has tells a story and Tattooed Lies reveals that. ” — Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)
The Satellite Station - Satellites [Review] January 23, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Folk, Indie Pop, Singer/Songwriter Rating: 4 out of 5 “The Satellite Station delivers a tranquil atmospheric sound here on this track about the fleeting brightness of many relationships. Like ‘Satellites’ crossing the sky with a brief, but a bright glimmer, these short arcs of our lives have a bigger impact on the cosmos of our existence even though they come and go. This is definitely a mood piece perfect for those reflective times when we are considering our own place in the universe.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
GoldFord - Walk With Me [Review] January 18, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Singer/Songwriter Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “An old school vocal Funk gospel, delivering modern hope and truth! Gold Ford’s anthem of humanity is a plea and a call for togetherness which is exactly what we all need right now. The vocal talent soars, and the feel good vibes shine on ‘Walk With Me.’” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Gild Walton - Convince My Mind [Music Video Review] January 15, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Commercial, Singer/Songwriter Rating: 4 out of 5 “Gild Walton take an angle of honesty that few are willing to share after a tough breakup. This piano driven track offers up the emotional distress of a bad end to love, and is underpinned by a restless anxiety that feels true and genuine. The vocal talent shines in the subtle inflections, and is particularly evident in the bigger moments of the track which tend to arrive at the perfect time to keep the listener leaning in. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Jenny Kern - Coming Back For Me [Review] January 15, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock, Indie Pop, Singer/Songwriter Rating: 4 out of 5 “Jenny Kern dials up the mood of solitude on her new track, ‘Coming Back For Me.’ The writing and vocal performance combine to capture the vibe of what I’d describe as lonely determination. The realization that we are each responsible for our own emptions ... be it happiness, anger, pain or any other, is a tough one to grasp, but knowing how to be okay completely within yourself is a worthwhile pursuit for us all .” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
David Redd - Do I Seem Okay? [Music Video Review] January 14, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Singer/Songwriter Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “David Redd strikes a nice balance between the emotional strength of a singer/songwriter vibe, and the raw power a Rock song hellbent to deliver its message. There is a hint of Coldplay early on that falls into more of a rootsy refrain deeper in. The video offers a very unique perspective on the tracks of our lives as we dream, succeed, fail, and ultimately wind up with a different life than perhaps we ever imagined. Finding peace and happiness with this unplanned trajectory is important for us all, and and a song like this helps us get there. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Charlotte Cardin - Daddy [Music Video Review] January 14, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Commercial, Singer/Songwriter Rating: 4 out of 5 “Charlotte Cardin delivers a modern sound that does at times feel like it owes a debt to Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac, but Cardin delivers an extra bit of seductive vulnerability to a set of lyrics that is more about taking a dangerous leap than it is about waiting and hoping. From the artist ... ‘’Daddy’ is a song about kissing your crush right by the open bar,’ muses Cardin. ‘Your crush’s other crush, standing by the shrimp buffet, sees it all. Your crush can’t choose between their two crushes, so you jump right in and choose for them. ‘Daddy’ is a song about knowingly making a bad decision and loving it.’” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Estella Dawn - Petty [Review] January 14, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Commercial, Indie Pop, Singer/Songwriter Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Betrayal of any kind is a tough thing to take without suffering emotional scars. Estella Dawn takes those emotions on in ‘Petty,’ a track about coming to the realization that the person you have been there to support of lift up, is not nearly as committed to doing the same for you in your time of need. Dawn captures the feelings well and delivers an engaging set of vocals to go with a well-written track that speaks to the power of friendship and betrayal. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Tommy Alexander - River Run Down [Review] January 08, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Singer/Songwriter, Folk Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Tommy Alexander delivers the kind of lines that sound simple to the ears, but are oh so hard to actually condense and articulate in digestible way. Wryly perceptive, and smart, yet common enough for the message to land for any listener who truly pays attention, ‘River Run Down’ has enough grit and energy to hold you without overwhelming the emotions. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Joshua Radin - Better Life [Music Video Review] January 07, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Singer/Songwriter, Folk Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Joshua Radin has given the world a lot of music, and a lot to think about over 16 albums and hundreds of live shows, so it comes as no surprise that his latest single, ‘Better Life’ brings a powerful message as well. The plight of those seeking refuge, hope, and yes a better life here in the United States has been exploited by both sides of the political spectrum, and frankly it is sad given that this country was founded on the ideals of give us your tired, your poor. This is Indie Folk with a heart and I dig it. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)