Karen Lee Batten - Somewhere in Between [Music Review] April 09, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Country, Commercial Rating: 4 out of 5 This is a tricky review for me. I do hear and appreciate the talent, though my personal Country tastes lean more toward the Outlaw and Americana sound, rather than the more Commercial Mainstream cranked out by Nashville. This track however falls in between with a sound that harkens to the 90’s brand of Country Music rarely heard among the Pop heavy and bro-country stars of today. All that said, Karen Lee Batten clearly has the talent to deliver an emotionally laden song and this single, ‘Somewhere In Between’ does the job she intends. Fans of of the retro 90s sound will appreciate this track, and who knows maybe Batten can help lead Country music back to a better place. — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Dayna Reid - This House [Music Video Review] January 29, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Country, Commercial, Singer/Songwriter Rating: 3.5 out of 5 This track from Canadian artist, Dyna Reid leans more into the Mainstream Country sound than I usually connect with, though her rich vocal tone and earnest lyrics kept me invested in the build. ‘This House’ doesn’t break a ton of new ground, though it is delivered with solid talent and rises above the fray by feeling genuine and honest which has long been the bastion of good Country music. — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Joh Chase - Avalanche [Music Video Review] January 23, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Americana, Alternative, Country, Rock Rating: 5 out of 5 The video here did not add much for me, but then again it didn’t need to because the songwriting and performance is though evoking and provocative enough to carry me forward.Some things just hit hard instantly, and that was the case for me. on this song. For those needing a comparison, there is a hint of Brandi Carlile, more in the talented defiance and writing than the vocal tone. ‘Avalanche’ is a track that will bury you in the best possible ways. The emotions, the nuance, the strong vocals and emotive power. If I had to label this one I’d call it Americana, but good, no great, music transcends genre and this track did that for me. — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Eric Lee- Happy Holidays [Music Video Review] December 12, 2023 by Kreadiv Kesh in Country Rating: 4 out of 5 At first I didn’t like the song. However, the country infused holiday track began to have musical progression. I like how Eric Lee took time to combine classic Christmas clips and they align with the song. This song will get anyone in the holiday spirit regardless of age and background. — Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]
The HawtThorns - All the Right Reasons [Music Review] November 19, 2023 by Travis Erwin in Music, Americana, Alternative, Country Rating: 4 out of 5 The HawtThorns are led by the musical talent of wife and husband duo of KP and Johnny Hawthorn. The sound is tough to put in any one genre. Americana probably works best though there are hints of 90’s Country, West Coast singer/songwriter vibes, and even a touch of acoustic Pop. ’All The Right Reasons’ is about looking back and realizing that person you badly wanted and needed isn’t right for you so it is a blessing that things didn’t work out.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Josh Rabenold - Easy Money [Music Review] October 23, 2023 by Travis Erwin in Music, Singer/Songwriter, Americana, Country Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Everyone is searching for that easy life ... easy job, easy love, and of course ‘Easy Money.’ But usually, none of it is all that easy to come by, and when it appears to be so, there is always a hidden fee that might cost you even more in the end. Josh Rabenold unleashes that very dynamic on this well-written, and haunting song that falls between Americana and Alt Country, with just a hint of pop vocals added to the mix. — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Bad Flamingo - White T-Shirt [Review] September 28, 2023 by Andrew Amoah in Americana, Country, Soul Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Bad Flamingo are so masterful at making you see a moment through their eyes. They make you smell the room, ear the background noise and most importantly feel that exact feeling they were feeling. This song is dripping in fresh country swagger with production that never overpowers the sultry vocals. With lyrics like “you still fit me like the best damn blue jeans”, this record is poetic in the best ways. Now excuse me whilst I order a pack of white tees. — Andrew Amoah (LA on lock blogger)
Starpainter "Let It Pass" June 19, 2023 by Andrew Amoah in Country, Americana, Folk Rating: 3 out of 5 Taken from his sophomore LP ‘Rattlesnake Dream”, Starpainter brings us along for this ride of letting go and growing pains. Love is sometimes a tug of war and ‘Let It Go’ paints the perfect picture of the push and pull of love. — Andrew Amoah (LA On Lock Blogger)
Dax - "Dear Alcohol" [Music Video Review] June 12, 2023 by Andrew Amoah in Country, Music, Music Videos Rating: 4 out of 5 Dax hits us with a gut punch of honesty. Wanting to mask our emotions is beyond relatable enough if alcohol isn’t everyones poison of choice. Dax lays is all out for us to see and isn’t afraid to show us the chaos of his mind. With a video equally as beautiful this is one to let your feelings loose to. — Andrew Amoah (LA On Lock Blogger)
Social Drag - Remind Me [Music Review] May 13, 2023 by Travis Erwin in Music, Singer/Songwriter, Adult Contemporary, Country, Rock Rating: 4 out of 5 This track from Social Drag feels a bit like a 90s throwback. Could have been released then as Country with an edge, or a Sheryl Crow-esque track about the emotions of failed relationships, but that is not to say the single is dated. It’s not. And while ‘Remind Me’ doesn’t quite fit the Outlaw or Americana sound of today’s Alt-Country, labels are not what good music is about anyway, and neither are timestamps. This track simply conveys the emotions it was intended with solid talent behind it so for me or anyone to place it in a strict category is a waste of time. Listen and enjoy, or feel and wallow if you prefer, but either way the intent of the song was established and delivered, and in the the end ... that’s all that matters in the subjective world of expressive art. — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Prisoner & Key - Set In My Ways [Music Review] March 04, 2023 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock, Americana, Country Rating: 4 out of 5 Prisoner & Key delivers a brooding track that is best compared to Springsteen taking a turn at an Outlaw Country song.’Set in My Ways’ has grit and punch and almost slips into an Industrial vibe at times. The vocals are steady and moody with a dark undertone that defines the track overall. — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Shantaia - Know You [Music Video Review] January 25, 2023 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Country, Commercial Rating: 4 out of 5 It is not often that a Pop Country track lands for me, but Shantaia deliver this track with an emotive strength that lands with genuine emotional resonance that transcends genre and rises above the fray of Mainstream Country. ‘Know You’ has an almost 90’s Country feel that reminds me of the days when Shania, Martina, Trisha, and Faith dominated the Country landscape. — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Natalie Prauser - East Texas [Music Review] January 01, 2023 by Travis Erwin in Music, Singer/Songwriter, Americana, Country Rating: 4 out of 5 If you think Country Music is defined by the glossy, superficial pablum cranked out of Mainstream Nashville then you probably have no idea of the wide ranging talent that is keeping the traditional sound alive all across the country. Texas is no doubt the hub for Independent artists to not only honor the traditional sound but push it forward and Natalie Prauser is one of those genuine voices doing exactly that. ’East Texas’ offers a lonesome, down on your heels vibe. A classic drinking, or thinking, or simply living in reality song that resonates with heartfelt emotion. — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Love Hounds - Lazy Boy [Music Review] November 23, 2022 by Travis Erwin in Music, Punk, Americana, Country, Alternative, Rock Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Punk Country? Yes it is, but there is nothing here that feels anything like the Corporate Mainstream Country most associate with Nashville. Instead Love Hounds, unleashes more of an Outlaw Country sound mixed with heavy Punk influence to give ‘Lazy Boy’ both an edge and a storytelling quality that lands in between genres. But make no mistake, this is not so much a niche type track as it is one that takes the best elements of various genres and turns them into a unique, but broad appeal. — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Morgan Myles - Woman Of My Word [Review] February 16, 2022 by Travis Erwin in Music, Singer/Songwriter, Americana, Country, Folk Rating: 4.5 out of 5 The slow build of this track is well worth the time it takes to unfold. Morgan Myles has a Country feel to her tone, but the deep range and broad emotional impact is far more impactful than most Mainstream Country offers these days. Think of Brandi Carlisle or old school Ronstadt more than the cheesy bedazzled brand of Country Nashville pumps out these days. This track heartfelt and real, and a journey far too many women face at least once in their lives. — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Eric Lee - Come Break My Heart [Review] February 04, 2022 by Travis Erwin in Music, Adult Contemporary, Americana, Country, Alternative Rating: 4 out of 5 Written for his wife, ‘Come Break My Heart’ is a tender and heartfelt ode of love. Could be classified as Country or Americana or simply a songwriter sharing his heart but what you can the track isn’t nearly as important as the emotions fueling it. With a hint of gravel and a nice emotive tone, Eric Lee delivers a track that sticks with the soul. — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Sydney Lauren - Bucket Hat [Review] November 18, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Singer/Songwriter, Commercial, Country Rating: 4 out of 5 Music is a great tool for turning around a bad mood, and ‘Bucket Hat’ from Sydney Lauren is a song all about turning your mindset around and finding a groove that makes you feel better. The energy and vocal performance are easy to relate to and connect with — making this a track capable of turning around your own day. — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Faded Rose - Judgment Day [Review] November 12, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Americana, Alternative, Country, Singer/Songwriter Rating: 4 out of 5 Faded Rose delivers a sound that falls somewhere between Lucinda Williams and Maranda Lambert. Perhaps a touch more commercial than Lucinda, but still with that jaded and ticked off attitude. Faded Rose is not quite as commercial as Lambert, but still possesses that same strong feminine determination that has made Miranda a star. ‘Judgement Day’ is a well-written track with emotion and musical punch to make you feel it deep in your bones. — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Rett Madison - Emily [Review] August 25, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Singer/Songwriter, Americana, Country Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Rett Madison delivers the rare combination of power and emotion in her vocal delivery of ‘Emily,’ and the raw strains of a broken or breaking heart are evident in every single line. Lyrically, the track wades the same water as ‘Jolene,’ but from a different angle. Genre wise the track feels like a Pop/Americana tweener. Both the writing and the performance shine, and I can’t wait to hear the rest of Madison’s album due out in September. — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Hot Mondy - Pale Ember [Music Video Review] August 04, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Americana, Music, Indie Rock, Country Rating: 4.5 out of 5 The best music is always timeless, and very often beyond easy genre classification. That is the case with Hot Monday’s single, ‘Pale Ember.’ There are Indie Rock elements, and Americana elements which combine to give the track a Springsteen sort of threadbare vibe as well as an emotional brand of regret that permeates the delivery and makes it all feel so real. The writing is emotionally stirring and the performance conveys the feelings in every line. — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger