Anthem Lights
| Anthem Lights | |
|---|---|
 Performing at the Rock & Worship Roadshow in 2011 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Nashville, Tennessee, US |
| Genres | Pop rock, Christian rock, Christian pop, R&B |
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Labels | Reunion |
| Associated acts | Building 429, Revive, Newsboys |
| Website | anthemlights.com |
| Members |
Chad Graham Caleb Grimm Alan Powell Joseph Stamper |
| Past members | Kyle Kupecky |
Anthem Lights is an American Christian group originating from Nashville, Tennessee. The group has released one EP under their former name[1] and one EP under their current name.[2] The group's debut album was released May 10, 2011 by Reunion Records.[3]
Beginning
Solo project (2007)
Anthem Lights began as a solo project for vocalist Chad Graham in the fall of 2007.[4] Both he and singer-songwriter 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 was 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]
Yellow Cavalier (2008-2009)
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 and record deal (2010)
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. | ” |
Self-titled releases (2011)
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 simply the official band photo under the official band logo. The only difference is the background color.
National tours (2011–present)
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.
Following the May 6, 2012 show in Williamsburg, VA, Kyle Kupecky announced his departure from the group. He is planning to pursue a career as a solo Christian artist.[citation needed] A week later, Joseph Stamper was announced as the new member of the group.[citation needed]
You Have my Heart (2014)
The album You Have My Heart was released on February 4, 2014.[11] The first single, "Best Thing", was released on March 27, 2013[citation needed] and "Fight Forever" was released on July 16, 2013.[citation needed]
Band members
- Current members
- Chad Graham - vocals
- Caleb Grimm - vocals, piano
- Alan Powell - vocals, piano, guitar
- Joey Stamper- vocals, piano, guitar, drums
- Former members
- Kyle Kupecky - vocals
Discography
Studio albums
| Year | Album | Peak chart positions | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top Christian[12] |
Top Heatseekers[13] | ||||
| 2011 | Anthem Lights
|
15 | 4 | ||
| 2014 | You Have My Heart
|
— | — | ||
Studio EPs
| Year | Album | Peak chart positions | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top Christian[12] |
Top Heatseekers[13] | ||||
| 2009 | Yellow Cavalier EP
|
— | — | ||
| 2011 | Anthem Lights EP
|
— | — | ||
| 2012 | The Acoustic Sessions EP
|
29 | 17 | ||
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart peaks | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Christian Songs[14] | US Christian CHR | |||
| 2011 | "Can't Shut Up" | 37 | 2[15] | Anthem Lights |
| "I Wanna Know You Like That" | 43 | 9 | ||
| "Can't Get Over You" | 32 | — | ||
| 2012 | "Outta My Mind" | 36 | 12[16] | |
| 2013 | "Hide Your Love Away" | 12 | 25 | You Have My Heart |
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 Chrsitmas 2013 (Deluxe Edition) | |||||||
| "—" denotes the song was not released on an Anthem Lights album. | ||||||||
References
- ↑ Jesusfreakhideout.com: Yellow Cavalier, "Yellow Cavalier EP" Review jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved 04-20-2011.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Jesusfreakhideout.com: Anthem Lights, "Anthem Lights EP" Review". jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
- ↑ Jesusfreakhideout.com: Anthem Lights, "Anthem Lights" Review jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved 04-20-2011.
- ↑ "Anthem Lights Artist Profile - Biography And Discography - NewReleaseTuesday.com". newreleasetuesday.com. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "YouTube - Meet Anthem Lights". youtube.com. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 "Jesusfreakhideout.com: Anthem Lights Discography, Yellow Cavalier, Anthem Lights Artist Database". jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
- ↑ Anthem Lights EP by Anthem Lights | CD Reviews And Information | NewReleaseTuesday.com newreleasetuesday.com. Retrieved 04-22-2011.
- ↑ Can't Shut Up - Anthem Lights | Billboard.com billboard.com. Retrieved 04-22-2011.
- ↑ Jesusfreakhideout.com: Music News, March 2011: POP GROUP ANTHEM LIGHTS ANNOUNCES DEBUT ALBUM ON REUNION RECORDS, SET TO RELEASE MAY 10 jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved 04-22-2011.
- ↑ Listen to the Sound Tour itickets.com. Retrieved 04-22-2011.
- ↑ "Anthem Lights - Timeline Photos". Facebook. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Anthem Lights. "Christian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved June 6, 2012.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Anthem Lights. "Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. Retrieved June 6, 2012.
- ↑ Anthem Lights. "Christian Songs". Billboard. Retrieved June 6, 2012.
- ↑ Billboard (April 30, 2011). "Christian CHR[TM]". Academic OneFile 123 (15): 48.
- ↑ Billboard (May 5, 2012). "Christian CHR[TM]". Academic OneFile 124 (15): 48.