Kingsland - Follow Me [Music Review]

“We are on a Retro Spul kick it would seem and here is another great offering from the Brooklyn based band, Kingsland. ‘Follow Me’ is a take ont he New York dating scene but the ideas and principals fit most anywhere because people tend to be universal int he way they hold back and play games while trying to find love.

The world would be better place if we all said what we mean and mean what we say, but hey, in the meantime we can enjoy a tasty groove with a side of funk which is exactly what this track offers.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Matty Frank Myrtle-Wyckoff Blues (Live at Nightsound Studios) {Music Review]

“Retro Soul with a rootsy side of Americana. That’s the best way to describe, ‘Wyckoff Blues’ from Matty Frank Myrtle. The North Carolina artist said the final arrangement was influenced by Cowboy Carter as well as the Americana scene in the Tar Heel state and you can feel the geography as well as the raw emotion in this heartfelt and gritty live performance.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Born Runner - Be Ok [Music Review]

“Ready for an energetic Pop lift me up? ‘Be Ok’ is a song about facing down your doubts and finding some positivity even when you don’t feel it initially. The band, Born Runner (by their own admission terrible runners in reality) offer some hope among the hopelessness witht he track which is delivered with a hint of homage to the Retro Pop sound of the 80s.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Kieran Phillips - Houston [Music Review]

“A Country-Blues song about Houston, Texas from a Liverpool artist might not have been on your bingo card but here it is just the same. ‘Houston’ is a road song about new beginnings and perhap a little redemption too. The growl and gravel does have a hint of Uk influence and that adds to the uniqueness as does the funky guitar groove driving it all.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Steve Maggiora - Echoes of Us [Music Review]

“A nostalgic look at love that once was can be a powerful thing and the emotion really depend on how things ended as well as our own outlook on life. ‘Echoes of Us’ from Steve Maggiora is a track that chooses a positive bit of reflection on love lost.

Delivered in a classic Indie Rock style, the song feels rather timeless and could have been right at home from almost any modern musical era. The perfect song to fondly remember what once was and smile.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Avery Cochrane - Toy Gun [Music Video Review]

“Don;t let the sugary Pop vibe fool you, ‘Toy Gun’ from Avery Cochrane packs a lot of kick. The simple, yet wryly delicious video adds to the sharp edge of these lyrics and Cochran’s spot on delivery makes damn certain you feel every pointed innuendo and assertion.

This is an Alt Pop track that hits every mark, the light fun build and singalong lyrics are what you’d expect, but not every songwriter can deliver such a direct and pointed message and make it all entertaining at the same time.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Chi Rose - 6 AM [Music Review]

“Born and raised in New York, but now based in Los Angeles, Chi Rose is an independent Alternative R&B and Pop artist.

Tender, vulnerable vocals highlight her performance in ‘6 AM,’ adding to Chi Rose’s reputation as a soulful and cinematic artist that never shies away from emotional storytelling.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Albert Kass - fallin' off [Music Review]

“Nothing fuels art like misery. Suffering is part of being a human so it is often comforting to get the pain out or to hear that you are not alone in your pain. Albert Kass wrote ‘fallin’off’ after what he calls the darkest, deepest part of his life and that is tangible in the song.

You can call this Alternative Rock or probably it would more accurately fit in the Americana genre alongside the likes of Jason Isbell or Tyler Childers.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Ira Ellison - Call Sign [Music Review]

“Singer/Songwriter Ira Ellison’s objective was to write an honest, open, and vulnerable track.

”Call Sign’ certainly hits that mark. Delivered in a growling whisper you can feel the emotion in every line and while fairly languid in its arrangement the track still delivers a strong build and emotional payoff along the way.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Burd & Keyz - Miracles [Music Review]

“Canadian artists, Burd and Keyz are joined by Nigerian-Canadian artist TOBi on this track about perseverance, faith, hope, and transformation. ‘Miracles’ is an energetic and uplifting track that blends hip hop, R&B, Afrobeats, gospel, and soul.

The groove is infectious and the lyrical build layered and nuanced enough to bring you back time and time again to take away more each time.”

— Travis Erwin

Ben Francis - Everything's Alright [Music Review]

“Ben Francis is bringing a bit of positivity and sunshine from the UK with this track, ‘Everything’s Alright.’

The Indip Pop track is an uplifting tune that brings a hint of Reggae melody wise but pure Pop vocals keep it light and airy in an energetic fun way. The everything’s alright refrain dominated lyrically but sometimes we need to hear something on repeat before we start to believe it for ourselves.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Tessa Joy - Dancing On Your Heart [Music Review]

“Tessa Joy knows how to demand attention and she does so from the very start on her latest track, ‘Dancing On Your Heart.’ A big, bold vocal style unleashes this Electro pop song and hooks the listener with both a strong performance and a tight, wry set of lyrics that hit hard every step of the way. Pure Pop glory!”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Pool Girl - Frannie You'll Be Alright! [Music Review]

“Some songs conjure images almost like a movie. That was the case for me with Pool Girl’s ‘Frannie You’ll Be Alright.’

The Electro Pop track is about friendship, and having each other’s back. It’s about that one person who always has your back and believes in your dream maybe even more than you do. And the song makes you not only feel all that but see the characters as they navigate the day to day in pursuit of something more.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

The Sunspots - The World Can Be Beautiful [Music Review]

“The Sunspots are throwing it back with some Retro Soul. ‘The World Can Be Beautiful’ was recorded in Costa Mesa, California and deliver bit of hope and sunshine in a modern world mostly devoid of both. The talent and groove is exactly what we need more of to feel good about our fates in these troubled times. Songs like this help turn the tide back to the goodness side of things.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

FREND x SKV - Arcade Elevator (feat. SKV) [Music Review]

“If you are craving a feel good Synthpop track look no further. FREND has joined by SKV to give us ‘Arcade Elevator.’ In some way this track has that unexpected feel in that it just continues to grow and blossom as you listen. Like a great conversation with a friend you just sort of lose track of time while immersed and speaking of friends that is exactly what this song is all about.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Carlyle - Without the weed [Music Review]

“Carlyle delivers a thinking person’s song with ‘Without the Weed.’ Rising an unusual, yet artistic, structure and delivery the song is one that takes multiple listens to pick up on all the nuance. A blend of R&B and Pop sensibilities the best comparison might be Prince though more in structure than sound. An interesting track that you can dive in on and find new meaning with each listen.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

PUNKTUALS - Dog Bite [Music Video Review]

“Whatever it is, the way you tell your story The Pacific Northwest has been growing musicians for decades now and while sounds and style certainly morph and evolve, PUNKTUALS throws it back a bit with their single, ‘Dog Bit.’

I wouldn’t quite call it grunge given the musical style, but the vocals certainly have that flavor. Almost like Alice in Chains meets Ozzy.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Brynja Rán - Don't You Leave

“Brynja Rán is a rising Icelandic songstress that feels like a perfect blend of Amy Winehouse’s soulful defiance and Billie Eilish’s irreverent confidence all in one talented performer. ‘Don’t You Leave’ is an understated Indie Pop gem that gets to the core of insecurity and loving dependence that can be terrifying if not cultivated in the right way.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Piper Connolly - unapologetic [Music Review]

“LA based Alt-Pop artist, Piper Connolly is ‘unapologetic’ about who she is and is boldly singing her refrain for the world to hear. The track is all about being true to who you are and taking an unflinching approach to life. A song that serves as much as an personal anthem as it does an uplifting reminder for the rest of us.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on lock Blogger

Pat Hamilton - Colorado [Music Review]

“Scottish singer-songwriter Pat Hamilton take on lost love with his single, ‘Colorado.’ A personal track about a relationship that was always fated to end. The song avoids bitterness and insteads for a nostalgic type of irreverence for what used to be while deploying an emotional understanding for the inevitability of it all.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger