Classic country twang mixed with modern love meets deep in the heart of Texas – what more could you ask for from Chaparelle, the new collaboration from Zella Day, Jesse Woods, and Beau Bedford?

Stream: “Sex & Rage” – Chaparelle

Late Friday night, locals and visitors alike searching for their next sonic fix post-Austin City Limits found themselves at one of the city’s most iconic music venues, Antone’s, where Chaparelle awaited with their next score.

Chaparelle lends itself the creation of Zella Day, Jesse Woods, and Beau Bedford. Despite only having two released songs, the Texas-based country outfit garnered a crowd filled with plenty of boots, cowboy hats and even a few faux cowboys themselves. Fronted by couple Day and Woods, the former a pop musician and the latter a folk-leaning singer/songwriter, they took to the stage as a six-piece.

Chaparelle's second single "Sex & Rage" released September 6th via Western Pleasure — Chaparelle’s second single “Sex & Rage” released September 6th via Western Pleasure

The instrumentals play into the classic country twang – particularly the use of pedal steel guitar – with an additional sexy, sultry sound fueled primarily by the couple’s tension. Simply put, they ooze charm.

Doused in red lighting the couple comes face-to-face as the space between them dissipates and the words leaving their lips harmoniously intertwine, “Sex and rage / Until the end / Secrets are just lies / You tell your friends.”

You can’t help but wonder if they’ve become caught up in their own world, completely tuning out the crowd – is it all just noise to them? The chemistry filled performance feels pulled directly from a film, making it difficult to look elsewhere while still feeling as if you’re intruding on an intimate moment.

Chaparelle at Antone's Nightclub, Austin, TX © Michael Hernandez — Chaparelle at Antone’s Nightclub, Austin, TX © Michael Hernandez

Chaparelle presents the pair the opportunity to show off their range, particularly Day as a natural-born performer. The pop singer transforms the second she steps onto stage, fully becoming a ‘70s era country star. I do wonder if Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline or Tammy Wynette somehow transferred consciousness into Day for the night – or, if she was blessed by Dolly Parton herself…

In a pleading voice Day begs, “Help me baby Jesus / I swear this time I really mean it.” Sandwiched between a Whitney Houston cover (“I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)”) and a Lana Del Rey cover (“Video Games”), she somehow manages to show off her skillset even further as she sings in French. When you think you’ve experienced the extent of her talent she swiftly switches between Spanish and English for the next song as she proudly declares, “I love a freaky girl!”