Sarpa Salpa - Your House [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Coming to SXSW in March 2022, Sarpa Salpa is a British band that has one foot in the synth heavy sound of the 80s, and another firmly panted in the contemporary world of Indie Pop. ‘Your House’ has a nice Indietronica vibe to it even though lyrically the track is heavier and darker than the arrangement might first suggest. I liked this emotional juxtaposition and in it found my own groove to stay invested and connected for the entire build and duration.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

ella jane - Calling Card [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“We’ve all been deceived and fooled by another person, and that treachery is even worse when you fall for that person in a romantic way. ella jane’s track is a tongue in cheek Pop ode to revenge on such people. The lyrics are sharp and witty and this song is sort of like Sheryl Crow as Dexter in musical form.

A fun ride with incredible talent to back it up!”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Valley Boy - Disgusting [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Valley Boy stays true to the title and offers up a set of lyrics that might indeed be ‘Disgusting’ by the norms society puts on us all, but the writing and delivery are certainly honest and engaging and those two qualities go a very long way in making music feel alive and true.

The build and progression shifts and grows in intensity toward the end and this makes us feel the power of simple, declarative truths that we all hold secret for fear of being judged. In this, the song offers an understated brilliance.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

TATUM - Homecoming [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track took thirty or forty seconds to truly hook me in and once it did I was leaning in and invested the rest of the way. I was intrigued enough early on to stay with it so I’m not saying the opening isn’t strong, just that the emotion truly landed for me a bit deeper in. The video feels right for the mood and emotion of the track. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

AJ Smith - Cooler [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Staying calm, cool, and collected, in the midst of a first date is no easy feat, and AJ Smith deliver the emotions of those anxious moments with sheer brilliance on this track. ‘Cooler’ is about trying to shake off the mental trappings and insecurities to better connect with the person that has caught your attention. This single certainly captivates and demands attention with its clever structure and emotive delivery. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

The Satellite Station - Trouble [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The emotional vocal delivery grabs hold from the first word and as the lyrical build unfolds the performance only draws you in deeper. The Satellite Station brings a timeless songwriter vibe and combines that with a folksy Indie Rock sound that is almost tangible in its powerful emotional resonance. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock blogger

Rhys - Thanks a lot now I can't smile [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Rhys was born in Portland but moved to Sweden when she was only ten years old. The influence of both American and Swedish Pop can be found in her sound and the tender emotion is palpable in every single line. This particular track reminded me of Pink a great deal but that is not to say Rhys doesn’t have her own unique spin and delivery. The writing is also strong and in it you can truly lose yourself into the world of the singer. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Andi - Money [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Andi infuses passion and attitude in every line of her performance of ‘Money.’ The keys add a brooding beat to this sultry track about the lure and dark side of money. The track has a clear message, but makes said point with a dark, siren-like tone and Electro Pop vibes so that the message does not feel like a warning or lecture as much as simply a statement of observance that the listener can take or leave as they see fit. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Nic Darwin - Fit [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Nic Darwin wrote ‘Fit’ about the struggle of trying to fit in with the so-called norms when you are the kid others have labeled as weird. Of course we all know the creative and imaginative side that pushes people to the outside of society are the very same traits that make them creative artists. And once they find success there, then suddenly those who mocked the same attributes are their biggest fans. It is an odd dynamic and this track captures all of that very well. ”

— Quote Source

Tedious & Brief - Not That Deep [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“It is easy to write those breakup songs when the heartache is fresh and real, but what happens once the artist gets over the breakup and is then forced to relive it by performing the slate of songs over and over. The artistic struggle is a complex one and this song has a bit of fun with that by bringing to the forefront the meaning behind such tracks. Tedious & Brief do a masterful job of putting a unique twist on a well-worn subject. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Confetti - Emo [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Confetti gives us a track that speaks to the age when you are caught between the free spirit of your early 20s and the stage where responsibility and obligation leave you wondering when and why life went wrong. The lyrics are wryly poignant in their humor but they land with deliberate emotion as well. ‘Emo’ is that song that feels like it was written specifically for you when in fact, it delivers a near universal appeal. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Chloe Lilac - 10 Things [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Chloe Lilac does not pull any punches in her latest single, ‘10 Things.’ Never piss of a writer and especially a songwriter as they can and will use those emotions to fight back. The writing here is strong and the emotion behind the delivery works well in this revenge track of sorts. There is a Pop, almost Punk vibe that hooks the listener in and keep them invested in the lyrical build. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Nadia Kamrath - Confessions [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Nadia Kamrath possesses the uncanny talent to perfectly convey emotion with only a few words. ‘Confessions’ is an emotive singer/songwriter vibe reminiscent to Phoebe Bridgers in style, but Kamrath certainly has her own tonal quality and style that stands out.

The track is about one friend catching deeper feelings and offering up the emotions behind such a realization. The sentiments ring true and genuine and it is an easy track to fall in on.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Elephant Castle - French Food [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“We all spent some time daydreaming about food and dining out during isolation, and this track is a fun dreamy ode to wishing for something we can’t have at the moment.

Elephant Castle delivers a unique take and spin on the difficulties of quarantine and how we as society are use to instant gratification. The smooth build and chantlike vocal arrangement pull the listener along and leave you hungry for some savory ‘French Food.’ ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Estella Dawn - Pretty [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Appearances are superficial but how we feel about ourselves and our appearance goes deep to the bone and this track is about finding the beauty within ourselves and being comfortable with that outer shell as well, because it all goes hand in hand. Estella Dawn has a big powerful voice and an emotive delivery to bring out the emotions of this well-written track. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

George McBride - Pink Paisley [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“As a writer myself, I am sucker for a good storytelling song, and George McBride has given us exactly that with ‘Pink Paisley.’

The story of addiction, and the myriad of struggles that comes with it, is one that sadly many can relate to. The overall vibe is of a Indie Rock track and the video does an admirable job of accentuating the writing with strong imagery.

This is a track that feels true to life and the emotions come through in the writing and performance.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Brandon Birdwell - Wasted Days [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“If Elton John and Ed Sheeran teamed up to write an Americana track, the resulting song would surely sound a lot like this. Luckily for us we don’t have to wait for such a collaboration, because Brandon Birdwell already possess the talent and skill to create that exact sound. And here it is — ‘Wasted Days,’ is no waste of your time or energy so give it a listen and add it to your playlists.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Sofia Lainovic - I Will Not Bother Anymore [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Sofia Lainovic infuses a sultry rasp into her vocals that reminds me some of ZZ Ward. ‘I Will Not Bother Anymore’ is about moving on from that person that hurt you and no longer allowing them to occupy your headspace or emotions.

The track has a Rock vibe to the melody and build though it uses elements of Blues, and Pop to blend the overall sound into an engaging ode to moving on.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Elsewhere! - Overrated [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”

— Quote Source

“Elsewhere! has dropped the new single, “Overrated,’ which is an ironic title, because the song and talent are anything — but over rated.

Coming with a pure Indie Pop sound, the track has a bit of Bieber vibe vocally, and comes with a nice groove behind it that conjures comparisons to The 1975. This is an easy build to fall in and join if you feel like belting out the words along with the performance.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Grace Otto - You're The Worst [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Grace Otto is a burgeoning Pop queen. The talent, confidence, and star factor emit in every line she delivers on this breakout track.

’You’re The Worst’ is a big Pop track that feels like Katy Perry, Pink, and Miley Cyrus meshed into one, brand new bad-ass goddess ready to take on the musical world. This is one of those track you just have to hit play to fall in and become immersed in the jaded anger and righteous payback. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger