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
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
Dan Johnson - Along the Way [Music Video Review] February 21, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Singer/Songwriter, Indie Rock, Commercial, Americana, Adult Contemporary Rating: 5 out of 5 Dan Johnson boldly sings the line ... I’d rather be a fool tomorrow, than a coward any day ... in his new single, ‘Along The Way,’ and in that simple brilliance, can be found both an idea and an ideal on how to live life.Putting yourself out there, risking yourself in the name of love is dangerous and leaves us all vulnerable. Though of course not doing so, not allowing others to truly know who and what we are, leaves us isolated and alone. This uplifting track is a reminder to us all — you can’t truly live without taking some risks along the way.The earmark of a great song is playability. A good song you can listen to a few times and be content, but a great song soars to life and compels you to listen time and time again. And with each listen you feel the emotion and come to a personal understanding that very well may transcend beyond the artist’s original intent as you layer in your own experience with the sentiments being sung. This is that type of song.The genre is tricky here ,as the track defiantly and artistically straddles a many different lines. Big and theatrical. the single comes with elements of Indie Rock, Americana, and Gospel. At times it conjured thoughts of the Lion King with the chants and uplifting mantra that would be right at home on any Broadway stage or musical soundtrack. But gerne is a marketers game anyway. For we consumers the lines are simple ... not for me, good, or outstanding.And this track lands square in the latter category for me. — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
DUUNES - Emotional Damage [Music Review] February 19, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock, Alternative, Rock Rating: 4.5 out of 5 it is tough to hear the term ‘Emotional Damage’ and not think of the internet meme voice, but DUUNES quickly transcends that stigma with this powerfully written song. THe soaring arrangement and strong Indie Rock edge erase the voice from my head and carry me away with a set of meaningful lyrics that hits right at the heart. I’ve given this single a few listens and with each one I feel more connected to the track. Songwriting as it should be! — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Bad Flamingo - Fast [Music Review] February 19, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock Rating: 4 out of 5 Few bands ride in with the level of intrigue, mystery, and seduction of Bad Flamingo. The black hats, masks, and sultry lack of buttons fastened on their shirts instills some of that, but the air of enigma is just as prevalent in their dark and sultry songwriting and delivery.Bad Flamingo are fast creating an unmistakable brand and their latest single ‘Fast,’ is but another example of their intuitive power to give the world sjtu what it needs from them. — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Review
Casino Havana - All For Nothing [Music Review] February 02, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock, Alternative, Rock Rating: 4 out of 5 Casino Havana delivers this track with energetic Indie Rock energy and commitment. “All For Nothing’ is an anthem of jumping headfirst into the fray and both the sound and passion come through to sell that ideal. This is modern Rock with intent and passion. The music and the vocals are dead on in that pursuit. — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Ships Have Sailed - Find My Way [Music Review] January 21, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock, Indie Pop, Folk, Alternative Rating: 4 out of 5 The track has that light energetic vibe of artists such as One Republic or Mumford & Sons. There is a Folksy brand of Pop to the sound that is uplifting in nature. The gist of ‘Find My Way’ is about living your best life and taking the opportunities as they come because you never truly know wha tthe future entails. — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Ambrosius - Hollywood Babeism [Music Review] January 21, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock Rating: 4 out of 5 Chasing the Hollywood dream quite often turns into a bit of a nightmare for most. Ambrosius has some fun with that as well as the lore of history in their single ‘Hollywood Babeism.’ Taking their cue from the Pixies musically, this Oslo based group gives us a unique tongue-in-cheek retelling of their own pursuit for some of that California gold. The overall result is a classic rock sound that reminded me of Queen, Springsteen, and Petty at different junctures of the track. — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Kurt Lee Wheeler - Girl From California (Acoustic) [Music Review] January 12, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Singer/Songwriter, Folk, Indie Rock Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Starting over is never easy and in this track about losing yourself for the purpose of reinviting who you are, Kurt Lee Wheeler tell the story of a girl running from her past. The emotion and pain is evident in the delivery and this Folksy track tell a tale we can all relate to on some level. Stripepd downa dn bare this one resonates best as a solo endeavor to allow your brain to truly listen and process. — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Kingston & Greystarr -Forgive Me Santa [Review] January 04, 2024 by Kreadiv Kesh in Indie Rock, Holiday Rating: 4 out 5 Whether naughty or nice this is a song you can really rock with.”Forgive Me Santa” is a coming of age song that will boost your spirits while creating its on lane of holiday music. This is truly a Holiday Rock song that will even put Santa in a groove. This is a good track especially for the people who love Christmas music year round. — Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]
Jakke - Hurricane [Review] December 13, 2023 by Kreadiv Kesh in Alternative, Indie Rock Rating: 3 out of 4 People don’t value trust. They use your feelings and your trust like its the weather. Jakke mixes Alternative Rock and break beat creating a sound similar to Linkin Park in this track. The track is titled “Hurricane” because it describes the moods people go to when they are there for someone who doesn’t appreciate them. — Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]
Adam Jesin - Five More Minutes [Music Review] December 02, 2023 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock Rating: 4 out of 5 Adam Jesin infuses a bit of a 90s vibe in on his Indie Rock track, ‘Five More Minutes.’ A song of longing and wishing for that second chance or a few more minutes to get things right. These are emotions we and experiences we’ve all felt, so the track is highly relatable and delivered with the passion to make us feel that way again. — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
ghost.wav - Right Behind [Music Review] December 02, 2023 by Travis Erwin in Music, Reggae, Indie Rock Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Blending some Reggae vibes with an Indie Rock vibe isn’t new but I hear a lot fo bands try to pull it off an fail. ghost.wave accomplishes it with ease here creating a groove and edge at the same time that hooks and pulls the listener forward. ‘Right Behind’ is the kid of track that often starts as a cult favorite and eventually becomes a true classic to the masses. — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger