Spencer Battiest shifts career into higher gear Community by Beverly Bidney - February 29, 2016 Spencer Battiest performs during the High School Nation Tour, which features rising stars in the music industry. The two-month tour last fall gave the singer-songwriter exposure to crowds in 25 cities throughout Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, Tennessee, Illinois and Wisconsin. “Stupid in Love” may be the name of Spencer Battiest’s new album, but it does not apply to how the pop singer-songwriter manages his budding career. Battiest has worked diligently and deliberately to make a mark in the music industry by releasing the album, performing it live and creating music videos, two of which were screened at the Native Reel Cinema Fest during the 45th annual Seminole Tribal Fair and Pow Wow Feb. 5-6 in Hollywood. “It’s all about promoting,” he said. “I’m a brand new artist so I have to fight to get in front of crowds who don’t know me.” To support the October release of the four-track extended play (or EP), Battiest toured with the High School Nation Tour, which features rising stars in the music industry. The two-month tour last fall exposed him to crowds in 25 cities throughout Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, Tennessee, Illinois and Wisconsin. Nickelodeon TV star Drake Bell, from “Drake & Josh,” headlined the show. “The tour was amazing,” Battiest said. “It was great to get the instant gratification and know what people think about me.” Battiest wrote the songs for “Stupid in Love” in Florida and recorded the album at the historic Castle Recording Studios in Nashville with producer Mario Fanizzi. He will return to Los Angeles in March for more writing. The album introduces his musical style and songwriting, which revolves mostly around love, life and personal experiences. The songs are available online at iTunes, Amazon.com, Google Play, Spotify and other streaming services. “We live in a digital world and the whole world is able to hear my music,” he said. Battiest, the first Seminole signed to Hard Rock Records, credits the label for putting him on stages around the world, including last year’s Hard Rock Rising concerts in Miami Beach and Barcelona, Spain. More shows are planned for summer. Battiest said he always performs wearing a Seminole item, usually a patchwork vest or piece of beadwork. “I always carry my tradition and pride with me onto the stage,” he said. Battiest grew up singing gospel music and hymns in Mikasuki, Creek and Choctaw. He is primarily a pop artist who loves pop standards sung by Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Barbara Streisand, but his all-time favorite artist is Stevie Wonder. “I’m an artist and I put out into the universe what I feel at the time,” Battiest said. “If you listen, you learn about my heart and soul. I hope people can connect to it and enjoy the music.” Share on Facebook Share Share on TwitterTweet Share on Pinterest Share Share on LinkedIn Share Share on Digg Share