Caroline Romano - Used by You [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Caroline Romano has established herself as one of my favorite artists that routinely submits their creative efforts to LA on Lock and I look forward to catching her show May 2nd at the El Rey Theatre here in Los Angeles.

’Used by You’ is a an honest unyielding track about one sided relationship and the amount one party is willing to give while the other simply takes and takes.

Catch this rising Alt-Pop star on tour at these locations.

Caroline Romano Tour Dates:

April 26 - Bend, OR @ Domino Room
April 27 - Portland, OR @ Polaris Hall
April 28 - Seattle, WA @ Neumos
April 30 - San Francisco, CA @ The Independent
May 2 - Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre
May 3 - Santa Ana, CA @ Constellation Room
May 4 - Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent Ballroom
May 7 - Dallas, TX @ House of Blues Cambridge Room
May 8 - Austin, TX @ Antone’s Nightclub

”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

The Ability - Constellations [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“With strong imagery and a hard-edged musical arrangement, ‘Constellations’ from The Ability is the Alternative Rock track you didn’t know you needed to hear.

There is an element of hope within this lyrical build, but there is also the peril and pain of the journey we all call life. The build almost feels hectic at times but then again, so does everyday existence so the vibe is perfect for the message the song is trying to convey. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

DUUNES - Emotional Damage [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“it is tough to hear the term ‘Emotional Damage’ and not think of the internet meme voice, but DUUNES quickly transcends that stigma with this powerfully written song. THe soaring arrangement and strong Indie Rock edge erase the voice from my head and carry me away with a set of meaningful lyrics that hits right at the heart.

I’ve given this single a few listens and with each one I feel more connected to the track. Songwriting as it should be!”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Casino Havana - All For Nothing [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Casino Havana delivers this track with energetic Indie Rock energy and commitment. “All For Nothing’ is an anthem of jumping headfirst into the fray and both the sound and passion come through to sell that ideal.

This is modern Rock with intent and passion. The music and the vocals are dead on in that pursuit. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Eleven Point Two - Out of the Noise [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The synth heavy intro and overall arrangement lends this track an 80’s vibe though the vocal edge and emotions feel decidedly contemporary. Eleven Point Two is the creative name for a pair of talented brothers originally from Michigan but now working out of the LA area.

THe track has that timeless sound that only Rock music can really find and the writing is sharp so each listen unveils a new nuance to ponder. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Sharna Pax -New Hope for the Dead [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This song is moody but deep. It starts off with a country guitar string to it then it goes into classic rock. Sharna Pax descriptive delivery will empower any listener with a bust of energy. Around the 2:20 mark she takes a sudden shift in delivery just to bring us back in.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [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

Jonathan Stoye -Pathetic [Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“Pathetic gives us a snippet of the band before the artist comes in. The song starts off soft but as the strings of the guitar gets strong the Pop Rock song takes off. It can be taken as an embedded love song but despite the lyrics you will rock with it from the overall production. ”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Schoney x FlyDolo -Don't Call Me Back (feat. FlyDolo) [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Schoney reminds me of Blink 182. They have good energy and delivery. I pictured this song being made in the basement, garage or bedroom. The song allows anyone listening to really engage with everything the artist is feeling and thinking during what seems like a break up.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [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

Daniel Ellsworth - After All [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Daniel Ellsworth’s new track, “After All’ hot me like a psychedelic Elton John. Sure, Elton had his days of altered state and had some out there songs but Ellsworth hasn’t created anything derivative here in his vibe. Was more of a feeling for me with hints of Elton John and Grateful Dead as a loose connector to the sound.

The video is also trippy by Ellsworth and his band the Great Lakes also infuse emotion and a strong sense of build in the track so besides the talent I was pulled in and took the full ride.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Flowtone - Eats Me Alive [Music Video Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Flowtone unleashes a slow build on ‘Eats Me Alive,’ a vibe-heavy Indie Rock track.

If Coldplay and the Chili Peppers merged for one night, the result might sound something like this. We all have those things that eat at us from the inside out and this track not only delivers that emotion lyrically, but also in the overall tone.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Thorslund - Hours to Go [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Thorslund is back with that hard charging rock sound that is at home no matter the decade. Get pumped for the weekend with ‘Hours To Go.’

The band was founded by the Thorslund brothers and takes the vintage rock sounds of the 70’s and 80s and brings them to today with fun, energetic lyrics to get you off your phone and back out in the world because this is music to move by. Be it strutting down the Sunset Strip or mashing that gas pedal and hitting the open road. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Billy Raffoul -Drive You Home [Music Video Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“Is hard to love someone from a far especially when they have battles and addictions you can’t save them from. “Drive You Home” is about always being there for someone to pick up the pieces as they self -destruct. Billy Raffoul careful string of the guitar gives a soft and emotional track.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Dax - Life [Music Video Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“Dax delivers some powerful and related songs. His latest single “Life” is about the unpredictable aspects of life. It’s about being lost but realizing your faith and founding yourself. The song has a upbeat tempo which doesn’t make it depressed but inspiring. ”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Thorslund - Firecracker Man [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“True Rock and Roll ain’t’ dead, but it is real damn hard to find.

The glory days of Whisky a Go-Go and the other iconic venues along the Sunset Strip might be behind us, but Thorslund keeps the Hollywood tradition of spawning hard rock with an edge alive and well.

Thorslund does a damn good job of living up to the reputation of LA rockers.

’Firecracker Man’ is a hard charging rock song that works today and would have put them in elite status back in ‘85. Let’s hope they usher in a new era and find the broader audience they deserve so while appeasing the Rock Gods happy with their in your face sound.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

San Salinas - Hold On [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“When a passion is truly in your blood you never can quite it. Be it a person or a creative endeavor. Matt Gibson of San Salinas thought he was done with music, but after a life of hardships and addictions, he cleaned up and rediscovered the dormant passion.

’Hold On’ is a soaring rock tribute to that reawakening!”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Cold Weather Captains - Line of Fire [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Coming with a funky little bass line, before the track hits that Rock and Roll edge with intricate guitars play and classic vocal delivery, Cold Weather Captains delivers a nice energetic Alt Rock track .

’Line Of Fire’ has the backbone to serve as a motivational hype track, or to simply be a nice jam you can groove to while motoring down a dark stretch of highway.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock blogger

Cloud House - Photographs [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Written after the death of lead singer, Conor’s mother, ‘Photographs’ is part nostalgia and part motivational inspiration. Delivering a classic Indie Rock sound, Cloud House puts their energy and emotions into this track which serves as the Glasgow bands lead single on a brand new EP.

The vocal and musical talent allows the band to feel emotive and powerful and this track is but one that promises to deliver a punch straight to your gut. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Dax - Dax-To Be A Man (Ft. Darius Rucker) [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Dax is a versatile talent that can come with a hard-edged Hip-Hop flow or a theatrical horror core track and then here on this track, Dax deliver offers an earnest ballad along with Darius Rucker.

’To Be a Man’ is an ode to the emotions and pressures of being a man. Not just any man but a responsible hard-working man trying to do his best despite the pitfalls and stresses that we face.

Dax and Rucker’s voices blend and play off each other well on the track and the emotions carry the day on this honest and vulnerable look at a side of being a man that often is overlooked. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger