KYSR (ALT 98.7)/Los Angeles Imaging Dir. Josh Jensen Exits

Chad Wolf of the multi-platinum-selling band Carolina Liar and Grammy nominated songwriter McKay Stevens are The Federal Empire. The duo, whose songs have garnered nearly 40 million streams on Spotify since their debut single, formed when Wolf and Stevens came together to compose songs for other artists, but decided the pairing was too important not to keep some of the material for their own project and The Federal Empire was born with their debut EP called “The American Dream.” The Federal Empire’s video for their witty post-breakup anthem "I Never Liked Your Friends" features Twilight's BooBoo Stewart and Lindsey Stirling. Explaining the writing process for "I Never Liked Your Friends," Wolf said, "We started this project when our writer friend, Keith, came to a session and started talking about how his ex was burning him with one insult after another. The only thing he could reply with was “Screw you. I never liked any of your friends anyway”... and that was it."

Joywave's newest track called “Obsession” came out under a partnership with Marvel Comics. "Obsession" virtually encapsulates the genre-busting history of Joywave into one glorious track, melding irresistible electronic pop with typically sharp social commentary to fashion what lead singer Daniel Armbruster calls “a Cliff's Notes version of where the band has been and where they intend to venture next." "I’m sure I’m not the only person who does this, but I have a tendency to latch onto work, or art, or any number of things, to keep other, scarier thoughts in check. Joywave will tour with Bastille in the fall.

"Hotel Walls” is the latest single from the Swedish duo, Smith & Thell. "'Hotel Walls' is a metaphor for life," said Smith & Thell's Maria Jane Smith. "You check in; You check out. Everything on earth is rented, but while we're here, we should celebrate life, rather than fearing the inevitable death."  Following summer European shows, Smith & Thell return to the U.S. for a fall tour.

“Freaking Out” is the latest single from the The Wrecks. That raw, electrifying honesty has defined The Wrecks from the start, and L.A. band’s debut LP, due out later this year via Big Noise. When asked about writing this track, The Wrecks front-man Nick Anderson explains, “I wanted to write a song about my first experience with psychedelics because it was life-changing but I didn’t want to succumb to all the clichés that come with ‘psychedelic’ production. I wanted something straightforward and fun and, most of all, honest.”