In 1995, aspiring journalist Sue Carpenter launched KBLT Radio in her small Los Angeles apartment and broadcasted 24/7 from her closet. 40 Watts From Nowhere documents the rise and fall of KBLT, the Los Angeles pirate radio station that played a pivotal role in the 1990s low-power FM movement. Hosting a diverse mix of DJs—from punk icons like Keith Morris (Circle Jerks) and Mike Watt (Minutemen) to everyday music fans – KBLT quickly gained a following, drawing in popular bands like Mazzy Star and the Red Hot Chili Peppers to perform live shows. The film tracks the station’s rise, its peak in 1998, and its eventual FCC shutdown later that year. Featuring recent interviews with Carpenter and key figures including Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello, Mike Watt, Germs’ drummer Don Bolles, and pirate radio activist Stephen Dunifer.

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