EMPIRED
A Shared Vision in Punk Rock: Josh Roush & Empired
Josh Roush and Empired
Josh Roush's ongoing collaboration with Empired spans ten music videos, documentaries, and original productions.
Josh Roush's collaboration with punk rock band Empired is rooted in a shared appreciation for independent music, storytelling, and the DIY spirit that has shaped both their creative paths. It’s also the latest in a long line of collaborations between Cameron Mosavian and Josh Roush.
Over the course of ten music videos, a six-part tour mini-documentary series,and countless promos, Roush has worked with the band to visually bring their auditory work to life. The relationship has allowed Roush to approach each project with an understanding of the band's identity, balancing the raw energy of punk rock with a cinematic visual style. They even let him come on stage and play bass once in a while.
Like much of Roush's work in the punk community, the partnership with Empired reflects an approach to filmmaking that values creative freedom, personal relationships, and the opportunity to make something meaningful outside the traditional industry.
VIDEOS
Paradise - Music Video
Directed by Josh Roush, Empired’s “Paradise” takes a stripped-down approach inspired by the raw simplicity of early ’90s punk rock music videos. Shot with a deliberately minimal aesthetic, the footage was transferred to VHS and back to digital to give the finished video an authentic analog look.
Arco - Music Video
Shot and directed by Josh Roush at The Hawk Bar in Long Beach, Empired’s “Arco” captures the band’s raw energy in an intimate punk rock setting. The video marked another early collaboration between Roush and the band and premiered through Punknews in July 2023.
Unite - Music Video
Directed by Josh Roush at The Neon movie theater in his old stomping grounds of Dayton, Ohio, Empired’s “Unite” breaks the fourth wall to reinforce the song’s message of people coming together. The video marked Roush’s third collaboration with the band and premiered through New Noise Magazine in September 2023.
Repose - Music Video
Directed by Josh Roush, Empired’s original “Repose” music video explores the power of community and the connections formed through music. Built around a simple concept of people coming together, the video celebrates the sense of unity and belonging at the heart of punk rock.
Six - Music Video
Directed and edited by Josh Roush, Empired’s “Six” combines footage from multiple live performances into a single, cohesive music video. Rather than relying on a traditional concert edit, Roush intercut different shows and camera angles, including footage of himself playing bass with the band. The video premiered through No Echo in April 2024.
Money - Music Video
Directed by Josh Roush, Empired’s “Money” takes aim at the dangers and consequences of capitalism, using biting satire and punk rock irreverence to explore greed, inequality, and the relentless pursuit of wealth. Roush’s fifth music video for the band features cameos from familiar faces in the punk rock community and premiered through New Noise Magazine in February 2025.
Spite - Music Video
Directed by Josh Roush, Empired’s “Spite” was shot entirely in 360 degrees, with the footage composited into 20 individual television screens. The unconventional approach creates an almost voyeuristic viewing experience, giving the video a fragmented, surveillance-like aesthetic.
Sex Shop Music - Music Video
Empired’s “Sex Shop Music,” featuring Linh Le, brings together the band’s melodic punk rock sound and a guest vocal performance. Directed, filmed, and edited by Josh Roush, the video is part of his ongoing creative collaboration with the Southern California band, accompanying a track from their debut album, *Finding Calm in the Chaos*.
Bitter Pills - Music Video
Co-directed by Josh Roush and Bruce Zebal, Empired’s “Bitter Pills” takes a deliberately restrained visual approach, holding the camera steady and allowing frontman Jai Hansel to carry the performance through a shifting range of emotions. The simplicity of the filmmaking puts the focus squarely on the song’s emotional weight and Jai’s performance.
Blood On The Ceiling - Music Video
Directed, filmed, and edited by Josh Roush, Empired’s “Blood on the Ceiling” captures the band across three nights of their Midwest tour, with performances at Mulligan’s Pub in Grand Rapids, Liars Club in Chicago, and Blind Bob’s in Dayton, Ohio. The video combines raw live footage with the energy of life on the road, documenting the band in its natural environment. Released in May 2025, the video accompanied the band’s deeply personal single about family, addiction, and forgiveness.
Cursed With Ambition – Documentary Series
Cursed With Ambition is a documentary series following punk rock band Empired beyond the stage, exploring the personalities, relationships, and determination that keep the band moving forward. Through candid moments, interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage, the series offers an intimate look at the people behind the music and the realities of pursuing punk rock on their own terms.
Promo Videos
Josh Roush has created a variety of promotional content for Empired's social media channels, including short-form videos, release announcements, and behind-the-scenes clips. Designed to capture the band's personality and DIY spirit, these pieces help promote new music, upcoming shows, and other projects while maintaining the raw, authentic aesthetic of the band.