Avi Kaplan
Avi Kaplan's seismic bass voice and earthy songwriting carved a new path for folk music after his departure from chart-topping a cappella.
Born 1989 (age 37)·American singer-songwriter·Birthday: April 17·Millennials
Biography
Born in Visalia, California, Avriel Benjamin Kaplan grew up surrounded by the sounds of folk, bluegrass, and gospel, which would later define his solo work. His life shifted when he answered a YouTube ad and became the foundational vocal bass for the a cappella quintet Pentatonix, helping to steer the group from viral fame to Grammy-winning, mainstream success. In 2017, at the height of that fame, he made the courageous decision to leave, citing the need for artistic authenticity and a connection to his roots. Relocating to a Tennessee farmhouse, he launched a solo career under his own name, trading pop arrangements for stripped-down, introspective folk music that resonates with themes of nature, mental health, and heritage. His deep, resonant voice, once an engine of complex arrangements, now anchors profoundly personal stories, building a dedicated following that values raw honesty over commercial polish.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Avi was born in 1989, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Avi Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Avi's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won three Grammy Awards as a founding member of the a cappella group Pentatonix.
- As part of Pentatonix, contributed to selling over six million albums worldwide.
- Released the solo EP 'I'll Get By' in 2019, which debuted at number one on the Billboard Heatseekers chart.
- His 2022 album 'Floating on a Dream' was produced by Dave Cobb, marking a significant step into the Americana genre.
Did You Know?
He is an avid fan of the video game series 'The Legend of Zelda'.
Kaplan is of partial Jewish descent and has explored his heritage in his music.
He adopted the stage name 'Avriel' for his early solo work before reverting to Avi Kaplan.
He built a small recording studio in a shed on his Tennessee property.
“I needed to go back to my roots, to the music that made me want to be a musician in the first place.”
