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Chaparelle’s Soulful Rock Vibes Ignite Railbird Festival 2025 Day 2

By Larry Philpot on June 17, 2025

The Kentucky afternoon was warming up on June 1, 2025, when Chaparelle hit the Elkhorn Stage at Railbird Festival. Their 1:15 p.m. set brought a blend of soul, rock, and desert cool to Lexington’s Red Mile. Consequently, the early crowd, grabbing drinks and finding spots, swayed to their retro groove. For 45 minutes, the band, led by Zella Day and Jess Wolfe, spun a dreamy spell, adding spark to Day 2.

File Photo: Chaperelle performs in Lexington Kentucky at the Railbird Festival on June 1, 2025. (Photo Credit and Copyright; Larry Philpot/SoundstagePhotography.com)

Their performance was a mix of sultry vocals and gritty riffs. For instance, they opened with “Burning Love,” its pulsing beat hooking fans. Meanwhile, Zella Day’s voice soared with raw power, matched by Wolfe’s smoky harmonies. The band—tight and vibrant—kept the energy high, with Logan Coale’s bass laying a deep foundation. Moreover, “Cold Love” got the crowd moving, its funky edge sparking cheers. By the end, with “Hurt Me,” fans clapped along, caught in their vibe.

From Solo Stars to Desert Duo

Chaparelle is a collaboration between Zella Day (born March 13, 1995, Pinetop, Arizona) and Jess Wolfe (born April 3, 1982, New York City). Day grew up in a musical family, picking up guitar at nine, inspired by her mom’s Joni Mitchell records. Wolfe, half of Lucius, fell for singing young, drawn to her dad’s Beatles collection. Consequently, both carved solo paths before uniting for Chaparelle in 2023, blending their indie and folk roots.

Day’s solo career took off with her 2015 album Kicker, while Wolfe’s work with Lucius gained indie fame. For example, Lucius’ 2013 album Wildewoman earned critical praise. Chaparelle, their side project, leans into soul-rock with a desert twist, debuting with singles like “Burning Love” in 2024. Now splitting time between Los Angeles and New York, they’re building buzz for their retro-modern sound, often compared to Fleetwood Mac.

Bands and Bandmates

Zella Day performs solo and with Chaparelle, while Jess Wolfe is known for Lucius and Chaparelle. Chaparelle’s core lineup is:

Zella Day – vocals, guitar
Jess Wolfe – vocals, keys
Logan Coale – bass
Adam MacDougall – keys, guitar
Chapman Schleif – drums

Day has collaborated with Weyes Blood, while Wolfe’s Lucius worked with Brandi Carlile. Meanwhile, Wolfe’s marriage to Lucius drummer Dan Molad has drawn minor attention, but no major romantic scandals exist. For instance, Day keeps her personal life private, with no high-profile artist relationships noted. Their focus stays on music, with Chaparelle’s chemistry stealing the spotlight.

Television, Film, and Awards

Chaparelle’s media presence is modest, as they’re a new act. They haven’t appeared on TV as a band, but Day performed solo on Conan in 2016, singing “Hypnotic.” Additionally, Day’s solo track “East of Eden” featured in a 2015 Insurgent soundtrack. Wolfe’s Lucius appeared on The Late Show in 2016, performing “Turn It Around.” For awards, Chaparelle has none yet, but Lucius was nominated for a 2014 Grammy for Best Folk Album (Wildewoman). Moreover, Day was named an “Artist to Watch” by NPR in 2015. Hall of fame nods are distant, but their early buzz suggests potential.

Biggest Songs

Chaparelle’s catalog is small but growing, with a few tracks gaining traction:

“Burning Love” – Written by Zella Day, Jess Wolfe, and Logan Coale, this 2024 single has millions of streams.
“Cold Love” – Penned by Day, Wolfe, and Adam MacDougall, this 2024 track is a live-show staple.

Controversies

Chaparelle has avoided major drama, keeping their focus on music. However, in 2024, some Lucius fans grumbled online when Wolfe prioritized Chaparelle gigs over Lucius tours. Wolfe clarified it was a side project, not a split, calming the chatter. Consequently, the issue faded quickly, with no lasting impact. Otherwise, Day and Wolfe’s clean images keep them out of tabloids, letting their retro sound shine.

The Railbird Groove

At Railbird, Chaparelle turned the Elkhorn Stage into a desert dancefloor. Their set felt like a sun-soaked road trip. For instance, “Burning Love” opened with Day’s fierce vocals, backed by Wolfe’s soulful keys. Meanwhile, their banter—about late-night jam sessions—drew smiles from the crowd. Coale’s bass in “Cold Love” thumped hard, sparking fans to sway and clap.

Their stage setup was retro-chic—vintage amps, keys, and a single mic for harmonies—but it delivered big. As a result, the crowd, a mix of indie fans and festival curious, got swept up, snapping photos. During “Hurt Me,” Wolfe’s harmonies with Day hit a sweet spot, earning cheers. Moreover, their cover of The Rolling Stones’ “Wild Horses” was a surprise hit, its soulful spin winning over rock fans.

Yet, the set had a small snag. A guitar string snapped during “Cold Love,” but Day swapped instruments smoothly, joking about “Kentucky humidity.” Additionally, the early 1:15 p.m. slot meant some fans were still arriving, missing the start. Nevertheless, those present were hooked, grooving to the band’s funky vibe. By the end, the Elkhorn Stage buzzed, with fans chatting about their cool sound.

Chaparelle’s performance was a Day 2 highlight, blending soulful rock with festival energy. For example, Day’s story about writing “Burning Love” in a desert cabin felt personal, pulling the crowd in. Meanwhile, their music carried a nostalgic edge, appealing to both young and older fans. Consequently, they proved they’re a band to watch, adding a fresh twist to Railbird’s lineup. Their set was a reminder of the festival’s knack for diverse sounds.

As they left the stage, fans lingered, swapping tales of Wolfe’s harmonies and hunting for merch. Their performance showed why Railbird loves bold new acts. Chaparelle brought heart, groove, and a touch of desert magic, making the Elkhorn Stage their own. As a result, their music echoed across the infield, a vibrant spark for Day 2. The Kentucky afternoon seemed to hum with their retro cool as their notes faded.