Anchoring the New Wave of Electronic Music at Payday Publishing Studios LA

 

LOS ANGELES, CA — In the heart of the world’s most competitive music market, British producer and multi-instrumentalist Chris Ward, better known by his moniker Tropics, has become a central fixture in the elite creative hubs of West Hollywood and Santa Monica. Operating out of the prestigious Payday Music Publishing studios (formerly Ultra International Music Publishing), Ward is currently spearheading a series of high-stakes collaborations that bridge the gap between underground electronic prestige and global mainstream appeal.

A Critical Presence in a Distinguished Organization

Payday Music Publishing, led by industry visionary Patrick Moxey, represents a catalog of over 70,000 copyrights, including works by icons such as Drake, Post Malone, and Ed Sheeran. The organization’s Los Angeles studio footprint — consisting of four state-of-the-art facilities in Santa Monica and two in West Hollywood—serves as the primary engine for its creative output.

Ward’s residency at these studios is not merely as a guest, but as a "creative heavyweight" whose technical precision and signature "indietronica" sound have made him a sought-after collaborator for the publisher’s most high-profile initiatives, including the renowned annual Coachella Writing Camps.

 

 

High-Profile Collaborations: Stussy, Edapollo, and Pell

The Santa Monica and West Hollywood studios have recently become the staging ground for Ward’s work with a "who's who" of modern music:

• Chris Stussy: Ward is currently slated for a release with house titan and Up The Stuss founder. Stussy’s global influence in the underground scene provides a powerful synergy with Ward’s atmospheric vocals, marking a significant cross-pollination of European and American electronic styles.

• Pell: Working with the New Orleans-born, Grammy-nominated rapper and songwriter Pell, Ward is exploring the intersection of soulful electronic textures and cutting-edge hip-hop. This collaboration leverages Pell’s long-standing history with the Payday Records family to create a new, refined sound.

• Edapollo: Following the success of their 2025 collaborative efforts (such as the track "Ghost" on Every Cloud..), Ward and Edapollo continue to utilise their Payday residency to push the boundaries of melodic ambient music, securing their positions as leaders in the genre’s evolution.

Future Outlook and Creative Continuity

The "Tropics" sound has always been characterized by a certain “nostalgic warmth" and sophisticated arrangement. By anchoring his operations in West Hollywood and Santa
Monica over the next few years, Ward has positioned himself at the centre of a creative ecosystem that demands excellence.

With a slate of upcoming releases and ongoing projects currently in development at Payday’s LA hubs, Ward is not just a participant in the Los Angeles music scene, he is an essential architect of its current sound. His continued presence at these renowned studios ensures that Payday Publishing remains at the forefront of the global independent music market.

 

 

A Strategic Return to the Stage: The USA music schedule

Beyond the studio, Ward’s upcoming itinerary underscores his sustained demand as a live performer in the U.S. market. Commencing in late 2026, Ward is slated for a series of high-profile residency performances at Collin’s Yard in Los Angeles. These headline dates, beginning in November and December 2026, serve as a critical launchpad for his
new material developed at Payday Publishing.

By anchoring his live return in the Los Angeles circuit, Ward continues to solidify his
reputation as a "must-see" artist within the epicenter of the global music industry, commanding significant fees that reflect his elite status.

 

Industry Leadership and 2027 Expansion

The momentum carries directly into 2027, where Ward’s schedule shifts from intimate performance settings to industry-defining forums. In January 2027, Ward is confirmed to participate in the NAMM Show & Conference in Anaheim, alongside a featured industry event with Splice — the world’s leading platform for music creators.

This participation highlights his dual role as both a performer and a technical innovator. Throughout the first half of 2027, Ward will maintain a rigorous schedule of songwriting sessions and local live performances in partnership with the acclaimed Innovative Leisure Records and All My Thoughts (AMT). This sustained calendar of engagements across renowned
venues and industry-leading conferences provides clear evidence of Ward’s essential and ongoing role within the American cultural landscape.

Revisit “Mind”, the genre-bending high energy single from his
latest album “Reality Fever”:

0