Spencer Kane has joined Anthem Lights, filling the vacancy left by founding member Alan Powell.
Kane, 19, was voted as "The Next Big Thing" in last year's WE LOVE CHRISTIAN MUSIC AWARDS, and a year later, it looks like he's the next big thing for his new pop group.
At the same time as Kane's announcement, the new configuration of Anthem Lights released its first music video, a Justin Bieber medley. The group is well known on YouTube and social media for its quality cover song arrangements, as well as for its original tunes.
It looks like Kane will continue to develop original tunes of his own, as well as his career as a solo artist, even while working with Anthem Lights.
"It was pretty easy to say 'yes' to this opportunity with Anthem Lights," Kane said in a statement. "They were fully supportive of me continuing to build my solo music and acting career while being a part of the group. That really seemed like the best of both worlds for me."
Kane will be releasing his newest solo record--titled Kane--at some point this year. The project will include lead single, "New Level," which is being serviced to Christian radio outlets this month.
He'll also head out for the Millennial Tour as a solo artist in March and April, in support of the film that will show his big screen debut on April: God's Not Dead 2. Later this summer, he'll make a musical performance in the film, Camp Cool Kids.
According to Kane's manager, Patrick Hess, it appears that Anthem Lights will be releasing new content every other week, and on weeks when the group is "off," it's individual members will share their own content.
Speaking of film appearances, Anthem Lights founding member Powell credited a growing number of acting opportunities with his decision to leave the group. Indeed, his appearances in feature films The Song, Christmas in the Smokies, Out of Ashes and Caged No More have propelled Powell into acting as his full-time profession.
"I have loved being a part of this band. These guys are like my brothers and will always be," Powell wrote via social media after the announcement of his departure. "I am so excited for the future they have, and I will be cheering louder than anyone else from the sideline."
Besides Anthem Lights, Kane and Powell have both shared the screen with Christian pop sensation Abigail Duhon--Kane as part of God's Not Dead 2 and Powell as part of Caged No More.
"We all knew Alan would begin pursuing his passion of film full-time eventually," said founding Anthem Lights member, Caleb Grimm. "His non-stop filming schedule finally reached the point where the four of us all realized that a change might be unavoidable in order for Anthem Lights to maintain the high level of creative output we've established over the years. We will miss Alan and our friendship is still firmly in place, but at the same time we're incredibly excited for Spencer to join the brotherhood of Anthem Lights. He brings so much to the table."
