Anthem Lights

Anthem Lights is an American Christian group originating from Nashville, Tennessee. The group has released one EP under their former name, Yellow Cavalier[1] and six albums under their current name.[2] The group's debut album was released May 10, 2011 by Reunion Records.[3]

Anthem Lights
Performing at the Rock & Worship Roadshow in 2011
Background information
OriginNashville, Tennessee, US
Genres
Years active2007–present
LabelsReunion
Members
  • Chad Graham
  • Caleb Grimm
  • Joseph "Joey" Stamper
  • Spencer Kane
Past members

Beginnings

Anthem Lights began as a solo project for vocalist Chad Graham in the fall of 2007.[4] Both he and Alan Powell were living in Los Angeles, writing music for Graham's solo project. As the final vocal work was being installed, Powell and Graham came to a realization that the songs being written would be more appropriate performed as a group.[5] It was then that Powell and Graham decided to alert their contacts at Liberty University in an effort to recruit members for what is now a singing group.[5] Powell and Graham's contacts came to a consensus that Kyle Kupecky and Caleb Grimm would be the best candidates for the project. After receiving notifications by e-mail, Graham flew from Los Angeles to meet with Kupecky and Grimm, who gladly accepted membership. Powell joined the group at the last minute.[5]

The original name of the group was Yellow Cavalier.[6] The group recorded one self-titled EP under this name in 2009. The EP was released independently on May 26, 2009. The group changed their name to Anthem Lights before any other projects were released.[6]

Name change

The group's name changed to Anthem Lights sometime after their independent release as Yellow Cavalier. Months later, the group signed to Reunion Records. Vocalist Kyle Kupecky comments about the meaning behind the name:[5]

These songs [and] this record is our anthem to the world saying, "Listen, we know there's a lot of darkness in this life, but in the end, light is gonna win." And we wanna be the light to people and just show them who the light of the world is.

On February 1, 2011, Anthem Lights released the Anthem Lights EP. Although it was the second EP by the group,[6] it was the first on Reunion Records and the first under their current name.[6] The EP received very positive reviews[2][7] and chart success as "Can't Shut Up," the first track from the EP, peaked at No. 42 on Billboard's Christian Songs chart[8] and at No. 27 on the CHR radio charts.[9] The three-track EP is being deemed a sampler as all of the tracks on it will be featured on their debut album, which is also self-titled.[2] The album was released May 10, 2011.[6] The cover art is similar to the EP in that it is simply the official band photo under the official band logo. The only difference is the background color.

Chad Graham (left) and Alan Powell (right) performing on the 2011 Rock & Worship Roadshow

Anthem Lights performed on the Listen to the Sound Tour.[10] The tour was headlined by Building 429, since the tour carried the same name as their latest album, and it featured Revive. Anthem Lights performed on the 2011 Rock & Worship Roadshow tour along with MercyMe, Jars of Clay, and The Afters.

The album You Have My Heart was released on February 4, 2014.[11] The album Escape was released on October 14, 2014.[12]

On February 1, 2016, former singer-guitarist-pianist Alan Powell left the band to pursue his growing career in acting.[13]

On April 7, 2017, they released their fourth album, Hymns. On October 12, 2017, they released their fifth album, Painted Skies. This is their first album with Spencer Kane.

On February 2, 2018, the band released a compilation album called Better Together: The Mixtape, which features an acoustic version of their song Better Together, along with solo music from each of the members, On March 16, 2018, they released their sixth album Hymns Vol. II.

Band members

Current members

  • Chad Graham – vocals
  • Caleb Grimm – vocals
  • Spencer Kane – vocals
  • Joey Stamper – vocals, piano, guitar, drums

Former members

  • Kyle Kupecky – vocals
  • Alan Powell – vocals, guitar, piano

Discography

Studio albums
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
Christ
[14]		 US
Heat
[15]
Anthem Lights 154
You Have My Heart
  • Released: February 4, 2014
  • Label: YC Records
  • Format: CD, Digital download
 172
Escape
  • Released: October 7, 2014
  • Label: YC Records
  • Format: CD, Digital download
 ——
Hymns
  • Released: April 7, 2017
  • Label: Wavy Records
  • Format: CD, Digital download
 2012
Painted Skies
  • Released: October 14, 2017
  • Label: Wavy Records
  • Format: CD, Digital download
 ——
Hymns Vol. II
  • Released: March 16, 2018
  • Label: Wavy Records
  • Format: CD, Digital download
 ——
Worship
  • Released: October 12, 2018
  • Label: Wavy Records
  • Format: CD, Digital download
 ——

Studio EPs
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
Christ
[14]		 US
Heat
[15]
Yellow Cavalier EP
  • Released: May 26, 2009
  • Label: Salus Productions
  • Format: Digital download
 ——
Anthem Lights EP ——
The Acoustic Sessions EP 2917

Singles
Year Title Peak chart positions Album
US
Christ
[16]		 US Christian CHR
2011 "Can't Shut Up" 37 2[17] Anthem Lights
"I Wanna Know You Like That" 43 9
"Can't Get Over You" 32 —
2012 "Outta My Mind" 36 12[18]
2013 "Hide Your Love Away" 12 25 You Have My Heart
2014 "Just Fall" 20 19 Escape
"Run Away" — —
2017 "Easter Medley" 34 — Hymns
"Who I'm Meant to Be" — — Painted Skies

Compilation appearances
Year Album Song Original album
2010 The Essential Christmas Collection "Do You Hear What I Hear?" —
2011 WOW New & Next (2011) "Can't Shut Up" Anthem Lights
WOW Hits 2012 (Deluxe Edition)
Do You Hear What I Hear?: Songs of Christmas "Do You Hear What I Hear?" —
2013 WOW Christmas 2013 (Deluxe Edition)
"—" denotes the song was not released on an Anthem Lights album.

References
  1. "Jesusfreakhideout.com: Yellow Cavalier, "Yellow Cavalier EP" Review". Retrieved September 23, 2014.
  2. "Jesusfreakhideout.com: Anthem Lights, "Anthem Lights EP" Review". jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
  3. "Jesusfreakhideout.com: Anthem Lights, "Anthem Lights" Review". Retrieved September 23, 2014.
  4. "Anthem Lights Artist Profile - Biography And Discography - NewReleaseTuesday.com". newreleasetuesday.com. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
  5. "YouTube - Meet Anthem Lights". youtube.com. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
  6. "Jesusfreakhideout.com: Anthem Lights Discography, Yellow Cavalier, Anthem Lights Artist Database". jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
  7. Anthem Lights EP by Anthem Lights | CD Reviews And Information | NewReleaseTuesday.com newreleasetuesday.com. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
  8. Can't Shut Up - Anthem Lights | Billboard.com billboard.com. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
  9. "Jesusfreakhideout.com: Music News, March 2011: POP GROUP ANTHEM LIGHTS ANNOUNCES DEBUT ALBUM ON REUNION RECORDS, SET TO RELEASE MAY 10". Retrieved September 23, 2014.
  10. "Listen to the Sound Tour". Archived from the original on September 2, 2015. Retrieved September 23, 2014.
  11. "Anthem Lights - Timeline Photos". Facebook. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  12. "Escape - Anthem Lights". Apple Inc. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  13. "Spencer Kane Fills Open Spot in Anthem Lights". New Release Today. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
  14. Anthem Lights. "Christian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved June 6, 2012.
  15. Anthem Lights. "Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. Retrieved June 6, 2012.
  16. Anthem Lights. "Christian Songs". Billboard. Retrieved June 6, 2012.
  17. Billboard (April 30, 2011). "Christian CHR[TM]". Academic OneFile. 123 (15): 48.
  18. Billboard (May 5, 2012). "Christian CHR[TM]". Academic OneFile. 124 (15): 48.
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