STARRY EYES - Jetlag [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“STARRY EYES has followed a tumultuous path, and at times a tragic one as well, given one of the founding members lost his battle with drugs. Still, the band has preserved and pushed on, and the rough road has perhaps made them better writers and contributed to the deeper meaning in their lyrics.

’JETLAG’ is about the toll of chasing your dreams an how what we find out in the world is not always what we imagined. I can’t wait to hear more from this talented band. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

SUNKIN - Bellicose Grounds [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Riding an almost sarcastic lyrical build, SUNKIN delivers this track with a subtle energy that sells the vibe and sentiments quite well. Each listen I gave the track unleashed new little lyrical gems and the wry delivery captivated me as well.

An Indie Rock gem that spoke to me louder with each replay. The chorus stuck in my head and I found myself signing along throughout the day which made me eager to give the track another listen.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock BLogger

Pauric O Meara - come home [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Pauric O Meara offers this heartfelt track as an extended hand for those down and out and needing help or at least an encouraging word.

’Come Home’ is a call for those who have wandered off path and need a safe haven. The emotive vocal style and musical build combine to instill hope while still maintaining an edge of anxiety which gives the track an added sense of credibility and resonance.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Eiza Murphy - Haunted [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Trying to love someone whose heart still belongs to another is a futile effort and on the track ‘Hanted,’ Eiza Murphy explores the frustration and hopeless feeling of doing exactly that. The emotive vocals sell the story and emotion quite well on this short but effective gut punch of a single. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Bad Flamingo - Devil and the Deep Blue [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Bad Flamingo is a duo I have frequently shared here at LA on Lock and ‘Devil and the Deep Blue’ continues their genre bending air of mystique. I’ll call it American for lack of a better alternative but this power duo refuse to be clearly defined in anyway and that is certainly part of the charm. This track has that dangerous spaghetti western vibe the band often exudes with a Rock and Roll edge that can’t be denied. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

CrashMonkeys - Control [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“CrashMonkeys are a bit of a throwback but I hesitate to call their sound Retro because the writing and delivery certainly has a contemporary edge. That said this is old school Rock and Roll with a down low dirtiness that lets you know they won’t acquiesce to outside forces for the sake of an extra buck. This is art with a serrated blade. Enjoy the cut. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Sam Marks - Wash Over Me [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“We all have our moments of despondence and despair, and this track captures those emotions with talent and precision. Sam Marks delivers ‘Wash Over Me’ with a soulful emotive brand of despair that blends perfectly with the musical arrangement and sound. The track offers a deliberate and definite vibe and is the kind of song that is perfect to listen to on those dark, lonely night of melancholy while clutching a glass filled with a strong beverage.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

CARØLINA - I want it now [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Compulsions are a tough thing to fight and when they stem from lust or love the complex array of emotions are even harder to fight. This track from CARØLINA delves into just that with a Amy Winehouse/ZZ Ward kind of soulful groove that adds a sultry vibe. A slow burn that cranks up the heat in deliberate fashion. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Bad Flamingo - I Won't Let You Die Young [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Few bands can capture the level of allure and intrigue that Bad Flamingo does with their sound. Sure the masks they wear play part of the role in the imagery but the sound and songwriting are every bit as much to do with the mystery and intrigue. landing somewhere between Americana and Indie Rock this duo routinely delivers an outlaw aura of loneliness and desperation that translates into engaging and thought provoking songs. ‘I Won’t Let You Die Young’ ads to their catalogue of strong lyrics and mood setting tones.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Gina Naomi Baez - skyline [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Gina Naomi Baez is a successful actor and multi-talented artist. Her latest track, ‘skyline’ is about finding and holding on to positivity even when life turns dark and tumultuous. A slow building and emotional delivery holds the listener tight and well-written lyrics keep the intrigue and attachment at peak levels. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Rainie Zenith - Reasons To Hate Me [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This song is an example of giving zero fxcks and choosing to just be you. Rainie Zenith describes and demonstrates her interests not caring who cares. She is happy with being her true self and this visual is humorous yet positive. It lets the world know that it doesn’t matter what others think, you can’t satisfy everyone. We are all different.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Kenny Sharp - Good Gemini [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A fun honest track about the intricacies of a relationship and how an observant and caring partner can simply know what’s going on. The track is light, but still impactful and simply feels genuine in ways few songs pull off. Kenny Sharp believes what he is singing and that comes through in every line and moment.

’Good Gemini’ is the kind of song that might never pull in the masses but will instill a deep connection with those who take the time and truly feel the lyrics and nuance of the performance. An artful track one might say.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

aedie - Rundown [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The struggle is real when you are landlocked and craving to feel those sweet rollicking waves under your board. This track is an ode to the surfing road trip and the melodic groove is a vibe without a doubt.

Add it to your playlist and come along for the ride. Bask in the tasty waves of this track as you ‘Rundown’ to the ocean along with aedie and his crew.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Freedom Fry - Strange For Love [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“I have been a fan of Freedom Fry for a while now, and ‘Strange For Love’ is one of those tracks that instantly feels like you’ve heard before, not because it is redundant or cliché, but because it feels timeless and genuine in its emotion. The melody has a Funky Folk vibe with a hint of the Blues, and the vocal arrangement brings in so many influences. From a chain gang work song feel, to more of a Pop vibe deeper in.

The varying sounds mesh and transition so well that you don’t quite realize how different the song feels start to finish upon the first listen. Definitely a track going on several of my saved playlists.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Wake The Sun - King of the Road [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“There is nothing like a good it of time on the road to reflect and ponder on both how you got to where you are ,and where you are going. This track takes a look at how our paths shape who we are and where we are going. With a classic and timeless sound this track straddles a Folk/Americana and Indie Rock vibe while giving off strong vibes of what it is to be a free thinking, free travelling human in this place and time.

Simply put, ‘King of the Road,’ is a good song most if not al of us can relate strongly with. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

lodet - Smile [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A long time fan of the Laurel Canyon sound, lodet drops a new track, ‘Smile,’ which delivers a bit of that sound, as well as a bit of Dylan, and a splash of Lennon to complete a nuanced and energetic ode the past. All without sacrificing contemporary relevancy. lodet’s Swedish home is a long way, both in time and distance from the height of the Laurel Canyon scene, but this track bridges the gap with ease and talent and is a nice modern spin of that sound. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

St. Arnaud - Cle Elum, WA [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Deliberate honest emotions, and a pleasing melody behind a passionate emotive delivery. Sounds simple, but so many artists struggle to find all of these elements and distill them into a three or four minute track. St. Arnaud routinely does just that and has achieved the feat once again with ‘Cle Elum, Wa,’ a song that hooks you in and pulls you along. Hard to categorize genre wise, this track is simply good music from a talented artist. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Maddie Poppe - One That Got Away [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track made me think Bruno Mars meets Taylor Swift. The beat and groove are all Pop Funk, but lyrically, I hear some comparisons to the emotion Swift routinely delivers. Maddie Poppe incorporates the best elements of both on this track.

’One That Got Away’ is a snappy single that pulls the listener along with smooth grace and ease. As we enter the cusp of fun and sun, this track delivers the solid summer vibes we all need.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Review

Kelaska - Tightrope [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“The need to fit in and conform overcomes us all at times, but it is easy to lose yourself while trying to please the world around us.

Kelaska offers an emotional track about that very struggle. Walking that ‘Tightrope’ is a dicey proposition but falling in on this track is anything but as the build and emotional vulnerability sell the track early before the tempo shift and a sort of fierce determination takes hold. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Kat Von D - Enough (Bat Cave Mix) [

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Kat Von D is an icon. Her reach has expanded far beyond the tattoo world and you never quite know where she will be making an impact next. For now you can enjoy her sultry tones at the mic where she is supported by Dave Grohl’s masterful drumming to bring her track, ‘Enough’ to your speakers. The track is all, about mood and vibe as is Kat Von D herself. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger