The Federal Empire crafts ebullient, anthemic pop/rock whose topical lyrics frequently gain force from unison group vocals. Formed in Los Angeles by songwriters first introduced through hired co-writing sessions for other artists, the group’s original lineup featured lead vocalist Chad Wolf of Carolina Liar alongside McKay Stevens of the Vibrant Sound and Keith Varon of Angel’s Landing.
Early tracks such as “The American Dream” landed on major streaming playlists, prompting the trio to issue their debut EP of the same name in late 2016. Shortly afterward they appeared on the Martin Garrix single “Hold On & Believe,” while a mid-2017 remix EP of “The American Dream” presented versions by Casualkimono and Lux Pacific. That same year the Federal Empire scored another streaming hit with “Shot by My Own Gun,” their collaboration with Sam Feldt that accumulated millions of plays.
After Varon left the project, the remaining duo signed with Sumerian Records in 2018; their follow-up EP, I Never Liked Your Friends—which again featured “The American Dream”—arrived in mid-2019.
