Avriel & the Sequoias

Avriel & the Sequoias is the solo folk project of California native and former Pentatonix singer Avriel Kaplan. Somewhat of a left turn from his pop-oriented work as the bass vocalist for the Grammy-winning a cappella group, Kaplan's solo material has a subdued, earthy feel resembling classic folk heroes like Nick Drake and Simon & Garfunkel as well as more contemporary indie folk acts like Iron and Wine and Bon Iver. A native of Visalia, California, Kaplan often sought solace in nearby Sequoia National Park, whose natural beauty became an inspiration for his songs. Not long after debuting his first solo track, the gentle string-laden "Fields and Pier," he announce that he would be leaving Pentatonix to pursue his solo career. Sage and Stone, Kaplan's debut EP as Avriel & the Sequoias, was released in May 2017. ~ Timothy Monger