Neyla Pekarek Leaves The Lumineers to Launch Solo Career

Neyla Pekarek has decided to say goodbye to The Lumineers.

The 32-year-old cellist – who has been with group members Wesley Schultz and Jeremiah Caleb Fraites since 2010 – announced in a statement that she has signed with S-Curve Records to launch a solo career.

“They say when a snake sheds its skin, it is a sign of rebirth, transformation, and new beginnings,” Neyla said in a statement. “Eight years ago, I answered a Craigslist ad to be in a band. In those eight years, we were nominated for two Grammys, we met President Obama, and we saw just about every dark, dingy green room this big, beautiful planet has to offer. I am incredibly grateful for these experiences and opportunities, but it is time to shed my skin; it is time for a new adventure.”

Neyla will be releasing her first track “Train” later this year before dropping her debut album Rattlesnake in 2019.