Avi Kaplan, Ridiculously Talented Folk Singer - Artist Spotlight "Lean On Me" "I'll Get By"

In today's episode, Brian shines the spotlight on an artist that is a little different than we usually highlight, and talks about the amazing Californian folk singer, AVI KAPLAN. You may be familiar with that name from his time with the famous pop acapella group Pentatonix, whom he left in 2017 to strike out on his own. He has a fantastic deep baritone voice that perfectly melds with his superior lyrical storytelling, giving us a truly unique sound that mixes folk, western, and old time spirituals. To give you an idea of his sound, I would classify it as a melting pot of John Denver, Bon Iver, Gordon Lightfoot, and White Buffalo.

Signed to Fantasy Records, and at times going by the full band name Avriel and the Sequoias, Avi has to date released two EPs: Sage & Stone (2017) and I'll Get By (2020). Like many of the top artists of today, Avi releases alternative acoustic style versions of his own songs in addition to the original cuts. Among his fantastic original works are hits such as "Aberdeen", "I'll Get By", and "Chains". In addition, he has done a masterful job of covering classic and modern pop songs with his own folk twist, including "Hey Ya!" by Outkast and Bill Withers epic "Lean On Me".

If you're trying to find some fantastic relaxing music from a phenomenal singer songwriter, be sure to check out Avi Kaplan! you can follow him online at:

https://www.avikaplanofficial.com/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/AviKaplanMusic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/avikaplanmusic/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avi_kaplan/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Avi_Kaplan
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/179MtpbgyNgeNnwNVqnn4p

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#InspiringHowUCThat #AviKaplan #ArtistSpotlight #Pentatonix #country #folk #deepvoicesinger #FantasyRecords #AvrielandtheSequoias #Aberdeen #Illgetby #Chains #LeanonMe

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Biographical information on Avi Kaplan from Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avi_Kaplan):

Avriel Benjamin Kaplan (born April 17, 1989) is an American singer-songwriter. He is known for his basso profondo range and for his tenure as the vocal bass of the a cappella group Pentatonix from 2011 to 2017. As a part of the group, he released five studio albums, won three Grammy Awards, and sold over six million albums.

In June 2017, Kaplan released his solo debut EP Sage and Stone under the name Avriel & the Sequoias. The EP served as his departure from the pop-based sounds of Pentatonix to folk-oriented styles. After retiring the stage name and signing with Fantasy Records, Kaplan released his second EP I'll Get By in February 2020. His debut studio album Floating on a Dream was released in May 2022.

On April 29, 2017, Kaplan released his first solo song, "Fields and Pier", under the name Avriel & the Sequoias. His debut EP Sage and Stone was released on June 9.

On May 12, 2017, Kaplan announced that he would be leaving Pentatonix following their scheduled tour. In a video announcing his departure, he stated that although he loved being in the group, it was difficult for him to keep up with the group's demanding schedule, which required him to spend less time with his family. His final show with Pentatonix was held at the Champlain Valley Fair in Essex Junction, Vermont on September 3.

Kaplan announced his first solo tour in October 2019. He announced his second EP I'll Get By on November 5. The project, originally scheduled to be released on January 24, 2020, alongside an accompanying tour, was postponed and later released on February 28 due to Kaplan signing to Fantasy Records.

On February 15, 2022, Kaplan formally announced his debut solo studio album Floating on a Dream, which was released on May 20. The album was produced by country musician Shooter Jennings. Kaplan released the album's lead single "First Place I Go" on November 12, 2021.