ACL Preview: Country Duo Chaparelle Takes a Page From George and Tammy

Photo courtesy of Chaparelle

When Jesse Woods, a lifelong Texan, and Zella Day, then based in L.A., first met in 2021, they knew they had something special. What blossomed was a romance and a new band, Chaparelle, which calls back to iconic country duos like Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, George Jones and Tammy Wynette. With new single “Sex and Rage” out last month, and now that Day has relocated from California – about as Austin a story as you get – they talk about ACL’s surprise hand in their matchmaking.

Austin Chronicle: As a local act, what emotions do you have when you get on major Austin stages like those at ACL?

Jesse Woods: ACL is a special one for me. I actually played it in 2009. Getting an offer to play ... it’s this acknowledgement of doing something that people cared about. As a 25-year-old, or whatever I was, it was like, “Oh, I’m not just chasing some stupid dream that’s just in my head.” So it really solidified my musical path.

Zella Day: And ACL is actually where Jesse and I first met, in 2021. I came out here to play ACL for the first time since, like, 2016, and I was starting to tour again after the pandemic. I’d always been a fan of Jesse’s music, and we connected before I came out here to play ACL in 2021. He came to my aftershow at Antone’s – we’re actually playing an Antone’s aftershow this year as well. It feels like this full-circle moment for us, personally and professionally.

AC: How has the transition from soloists to a duo been for you?

ZD: It’s been the most joyful experience, from the tactical side of touring and being on the road and having your person and having the support. Especially in these early phases of touring, where it’s hard and we’re just breaking even, and we’re getting in a minivan, and playing as many shows as we possibly can, really putting our heads down. Going to work and doing it together really lightens the load. I feel like being in this band has actually enhanced my strengths, even more so than being a solo touring act.

We’re also running a business together, essentially. That’s kind of the less romantic part of this. If you really want to start a project, make the band, it comes down to a lot of choices, a lot of decisions that you have to make and agree upon. We got really lucky in finding the third member of our band, Beau Bedford, who produced the tracks for our debut record and plays guitar. You’ll see him on tour with us. He usually has big glasses on and a beanie and is playing all the guitar riffs, but Beau really kind of acts as the tiebreaker. So for Jesse and I, we’re both pretty hardheaded and passionate about the way we feel and about the vision. Beau does really help to mediate and create.

AC: What draws you to the more traditional country duo concept?

JW: Zella and I hung out and then kind of got together romantically and wanted to start bands together. We always just used the George Jones and Tammy Wynette reference as our North Star. My favorite aspect of music is harmony. Always has been since I was a kid, from growing up in the church.

We wanted it to be no backing tracks, for it to just kind of be raw, two people singing that spend a lot of time singing together, and to really highlight that. I think this is country and classic American music.

Friday 4, 2pm, IHG Stage