Lily Kershaw - Call Whoever This Makes You Think Of (Except Your Narcissist Ex) [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“LA singer-songwriter Lily Kershaw offers a poignant reminder to connect with the important people in our lives on her new single, ‘Call Whoever This Makes You Think Of (Except Your Narcissist Ex).’

The vocal style is reminiscent of Brandi Carlile and the two talented artists share an impressive range as wella s emotive delivery that hooks the heart.

Kershaw’s upcoming album, Pain & More, will be released September 13th. and promises to be dripping in the emotions of humanity. ‘I’ve been struggling for so long,’ says Kershaw, who wrote and recorded it over two years. ‘This record is like a new cycle of my life.’”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Goldie - The Angel And The Saint [Music Video Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“Goldie channels the spirit of freedom and perseverance on ‘The Angel and The Saint.’ The track has a FLorence and the Machine vibe for sure but you can’t discount the influence Goldie’s idols Tammy Wynette and Dolly Parton had on creating her sound. There is an edge and attitude and empowerment to this track and the imagery of the video is pretty dang enjoyable as well.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Greyson Chance - Haymaker [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Greyson Chance straddles the line between Rock, Pop, and Folk on this track. The Oklahoma native can be compared to acts sucha s Mumford or the Lumineers, but ‘Haymaker’ also feels in line emotionally with Americana in the vein of Jason Isbell, or even a more traditional Country sound such as Tyler Childers.

Emotionally raw and vulnerable, the track is masterfully written and performed. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Lily Meola - Gasoline [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“I often struggle to connect to vocals delivered in a high register but not this time. Lily Meola has a very emotive delivery that works for her higher, softer tone.

’Gasoline’ is the latest release from Meola who has captured the attention and mentorship of Willie Nelson. The track leans slightly to a Pop Folk sort of sound that feels alive and vibrant.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Mallow Hill - Thinkin' Bout My Baby [Music Review

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track introduces the world to Mallow Hill as it is the band’s debut single. ‘Thinkin’ Bout My Baby’ drips with sultry Blues and the vocal tone has a bit of Winehouse over the top of a Gary Clark Jr. musical vibe.

’Thinkin’ Bout My Baby’ is about the personal growth and realization of habits formed from toxic relationships and how we all tend to slip on a pair of familiar shoes even though the damn things tend to hurt our feet. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Alana Cruz - Telescope [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Alana Cruz has a sound that could be Country, could be Pop, could be an emotional singer/songwriter expressing their vulnerability and the good thing is great music transcends those type of labels and simply speaks to people’s hearts.

’Telescope’ is that kind of song.

At times I heard Natalie Maines of the Chicks, Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mack and Brandi Carlile but in the end this is simply the talented Cruz, belting out her truths as she expresses what unrequited love and the yearning brand of hope that comes along with it truly feels like.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Claire London - Black Leather [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Claire London blends the Blues with Pop sensibilities to give us this track. ‘Black Leather’ offers enough of that sultry edge to tease and enough dirt and grit to truly make it all interesting.

The track is loosely based on London’s first meeting her eventual husband but at its heart it is about personal confidence and simply getting about your business because you are truly feeling it.

That self assured groove comes through and carries the track on its back for a nice ride.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Annie Bacon & her Oshen - Mist [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“I was hooked from the opening line. Annie Bacon & her Oshen delivers an emotional track that feels gritty and real.

There is more than a hint of Stevie Nicks to the tone, though the writing and overall vibe reminded more of Jason Isbell meets Lucinda Williams. Whatever you want to call it, this is songwriting glory performed by a talented and committed artist that ensures you feel every last word. Music as it should be!”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Bad Flamingo - Numb [Music Review]

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

Parker Smith - Air Stream [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track has a nostalgic Gram Parsons kind of musical vibe to go along with the Country Chic lyrics that would do John Prine proud.

Parker Smith gives us a track that might be what Buffet would have come up with had he been raised in a trailer park, living in an ‘Air Stream.’ Of Jerry Jeff Walker if that trailer were parked somewhere in Texas.

Fun and gritty and the perfect tune to crack open an cold one and watch the sunset over the top of a Dollar Store alongside your baby.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Eden Rain - Closer [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“dEen Rain delivers an emotive and powerful performance on her single, ‘Closer.’ The track deals with grief and helping a friend make through to to the other side.

The vocal tone of this track makes you feel every word, and the build is engaging as the emotions are tangible in every line. The early sound feels almost like Americana, though the track transcends into more of a emotional Pop track halfway through.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Parker Lane - MAGIC [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Written for his children, because he doesn’t get to see and spend as much time with them as he would like, ‘MAGIC’ is a track of love and hope that will ring true for anyone missing someone and longing for a reunion.

Parker Lane shows off his vocal chops with this emotive and uplifting track that soars on the currents of the human condition.

A true feel good song!”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Dan Johnson - Along the Way [Music Video Review]

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

Joh Chase - Avalanche [Music Video Review]

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

Dover Lynn Fox - Winter Son [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Winter is a time of darkness both literallya nd figuratively with seasonal depression gripping many. But all dark times pass and Dover Lynn Fox gives a track of transition to take us fromt he dark bleakness to a time of light and understanding with her track ‘Winter Son.’

The emotive vocals soar and carryt he emotional burden of a lifetime as well as a season of darkness, but in the end this track is one of hope and brightness.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Mary Middlefield - Atlantis [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Mary Middlefield has that deep bottomless kind of emotive voice that hooks a listener without theattrics or tricks. Like a deep inviting pool of cool blue water on a hot summer day, you can’t help but want to jump right in.

”Atlantis’ is a quiet, yet powerful track with well-written lyrics and the straightforward delivery of a confident songwriter. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

DIN NYC - Crooked Line [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“DIN NYC reminded me of a blend of Tom Petty and Wilco. ‘Crooked Line’ rides that line of Indie Rock/ Americana and has a classic timeless ound. There is a bit of vintage Springsteen to the style as well. Simply a good classic sound with a engaging set of lyrics.

Perfectly timeless!”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock

Indecent Proposal - Behind Her Eyes [Music Video Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“My closest comparison to the sound and vibe of this track from new band Indecent Proposal is the Black Crowes. ‘Behind Her Eys’ has a rock ballad feel but hints of Americana lurk in the sound and the result is an emotionally-fueled track that is the perfect accompaniment to a psychedelic trip or a calming jam session for that cross-country road trip.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

The HawtThorns - All the Right Reasons [Music Review]

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

Andi Jane - Hide the Key [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“knowing when to walk away is important but few of us have that kind of self awareness. Andi Jane delivers this soulful Pop Ballad about that very thing. ‘Hide The Key’ utilizes her emotive vocals and a piano heavy melody to draw the listener into the right frame of mind for this track about moving on, despite nostalgia and a strong lingering love that isn’t quite meeting all the needs.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger