Jenn Howard - Microphone [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Jenn Howard offers up a bit of New Orleans flair on this track that falls between a funky Jazz sound and a singer/songwriter vibe. Maybe you could call this Americana if hard-pressed to place the track within a single genre, but either way the song has soul and heart and comes with one of those melodies that gets down in your bones and makes you move. Joined by Ivan Neville, this one reminds me of my nights down on Frenchman Street in NOLA.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

The Collection - Love at the End of the World [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“The Collection brings a fresh new approach to the world of love songs. ‘Love at the End of the World’ is about finding love in a world that is falling apart and how we all need to keep living as best we can in the face of conflict and turmoil. The emotive vocals hooked me the writing is smart and intelligent while maintaining an emotional relevance.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

The Scarlet Opera - Big City Thing [Music Video Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“There is something about The Scarlett Opera that puts me in mind of Queen and while it is hard to pinpoint exactly, I think it is a bold uniqueness that simply feels like freedom. Freedom of convention, freedom rules, and freedom of spirit that can only come with you create art for yourself first and an audience second. ‘Big City Thing’ is a flamboyant celebration of artistic freedom that gets in your ears and then in your soul.

Rock and Roll with flair and verve and a total disregard for what anybody thinks about that.”

— 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

Charlotte Sands - Alright [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Charlotte Sands wants to be a voice and an inspiration to all the people who consider themselves to be outsiders, freaks, or imply different than the so-called normies of the world, and ‘Alright’ is an anthem of sorts created for that purpose.

The soaring vocal talent is accompanied by an emotive delivery and passion that is tangible throughout the track. I felt every word of this track and will be adding it to a number of playlists.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Shantaia - Know You [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“It is not often that a Pop Country track lands for me, but Shantaia deliver this track with an emotive strength that lands with genuine emotional resonance that transcends genre and rises above the fray of Mainstream Country. ‘Know You’ has an almost 90’s Country feel that reminds me of the days when Shania, Martina, Trisha, and Faith dominated the Country landscape. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Paul Cook & The Chronicles - Somebody Else [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Memories often start benign enough but if we have regrets and pain associated those same memories can make our mind fall into chaos and anxiety. This track follows that same path with a nice gentle entry before building into a bit of ordered madness. And in doing so, the writing perfectly captures how many pf us deal with this sorts of mental trips. I was left craving more which is both good and bad I suppose.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Lorelei Marcell x Hardcastle - Flashbacks [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Art is often born of heartache and despair and this track certainly has that feel. ‘Flashbacks’ is all about reflecting on the past and dealing with the mix of regrets and missteps we all make. The back and forth nature of the two sets of vocals play well off each other and makes the emotion truly tangible int he way few Pop songs manage to pull off. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Songbird - Stubborn [Music Review]

“Stubbornness can be a good thing when it comes in the form of determination. Songbird highlights that aspect in ‘Stubborn’ a track about not giving in when problems arise and trusting in love to carry your forward no matter what. Stubborn love is what it takes for any relationship to survive and that along with an infectious energy carries this track forward and makes it oh so relevant. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Rating: 4 out of 5

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

Xersize - Scars [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Swedish rap artist, Xersize delivers a flow that certainly pays homage to Eminem in style and sound, and lyrically the track has the same style of emotion and punch. Alongside a chorus, delivered with spot of perfection from Madeleine Liljestam of the metal band, Eleine, Xersize unveils ‘Scars,’ but they are not alone as we all have marks upon our body and mind that shape who we are, and how we view the world around us.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

After Kepler - Beers On Mars [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“While set in LA, this track has a universal appeal and perfectly captures the magic of a night where you are free to explore and take on the world soo or alongside friends. The chill vibe and silky vocals feel like that drive where traffic is light and you catch every green light along the way to a place you are eager to be. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Sir Echo - Raven [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Blurring the lines of Punk, Alternative and Emo Rock, Sir Echo has a retro vibe that at times feels like the Bangles in a blender. ‘Raven’ is about the battle between fantasized or romanticized versions of a person, and the reality that they come with a complex history and set of flows just like every other person.

Love might be blind, but eventually every relationship is tested by reality and here those ideas take flight thanks to dark wings and thrumming guitar strings. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Ni/Co - what it (do do do) [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

A smooth R&B groove with heavy Pop leanings about letting the bad stuff roll off and way from you. It is far too easy to hold grudges and plot revenge, but then the offending party lives inside your head so sometimes we have to let go of our resentment and trust Karma to work her magic. This song is an artful reminder of that.

Natalie Prauser - East Texas [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“If you think Country Music is defined by the glossy, superficial pablum cranked out of Mainstream Nashville then you probably have no idea of the wide ranging talent that is keeping the traditional sound alive all across the country. Texas is no doubt the hub for Independent artists to not only honor the traditional sound but push it forward and Natalie Prauser is one of those genuine voices doing exactly that.

’East Texas’ offers a lonesome, down on your heels vibe. A classic drinking, or thinking, or simply living in reality song that resonates with heartfelt emotion.”

— 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

Nep Jennings - MR [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The combination of attitude and strong writing sold this track for me. Lines like ... ‘I’d rather be paranoid than comfortable ...’ hooked me in and offered big perspectives in few words and that gave the track a powerful impact.

The tone of the flow is quiet confidence and a hard edged take on the world that is certainly warranted and accurate. Nep Jennings is a voice worth hearing with words that need to be said. ”

— 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

BMB Mann - FWM [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A smooth backing track and a steady flow gives this track a groove that is easy to fall in and connect with. BMB Mann introduces himself with this lyrical flow and the talent shines in not only the emotional strength of the writing, but is also evident in the timing and pace of the delivery. A track that hints of a lot more to come from this talented artist and I can’t wait to hear what’s next.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger