Good times and a whole lotta love for Zeparella

Zeparella’s tour stop in Arcata was an emotionally evocative experience

by Emma Wilson

Zepparella, a female cover band of the famous Led Zeppelin, performed at Humbrews in Arcata on Friday, April 25. After their opening song, lead singer Anna Kristina thanked the audience of at least 200 people for coming out and welcomed them to the venue. 

“Hello to all, hello to all the love, hello to all you beautiful people from Humboldt, and from those of you who have come far and wide to be here — because I know some people traveled some distances to be with us today — we really appreciate it!” Kristina said. “Oh my goodness, Humbrews, we can not wait to come back to you. You know there’s a special mojo here, and we feel it every visit!” 

My heart was filled by how each of the band members had something memorable and nice to say about each other. Kristina started off by showing her love for bass player Holly West and Gretchen Menn on guitar. At the end of the night, Kristina continued the positive affirmations towards Clementine Moss, the drummer. This was the female empowerment I didn’t know I needed to hear. 

Zepparella regularly stops on tour a couple of times a year in Humboldt County, typically in Blue Lake. They formed as a band in 2005 in San Francisco and have toured all over the United States. As they played, it made me feel like I was finally fulfilling my need of living in the 60s or 70s. I imagined I was watching Led Zeppelin live for the first time, which I have never been able to do. Instead I was watching Zepparella, a very inspiring female band that was just as talented and beautiful. 

As a die-hard Led Zeppelin fan, this experience filled me with so much glee and dopamine. Their performance of Good Times Bad Times, which is my favorite Led Zeppelin song, hits all the marks in life, and expresses the importance of one’s good and bad times in life. 

Each band member also did their own breathtaking solo. I got lost in the passion and determination each player embodied. Kristina started off the solos with just a harmonica and microphone, where she went on for about six to eight minutes. The solo went into a rendition of Bring it On Home —  she did, indeed, bring it home! 

Moss soloed the famous Moby Dick, rocking out for about five minutes. She drummed with strength and dedication — I never wanted it to end. I felt the beat in my soul, and the long bangs in her face made her look like a true rockstar. 

Now let’s talk about the beautiful bass player Holly West soloing Immigrant Song. It was so impressive, especially since her eyes were closed for the majority of the solo. I was mesmerized as she made it look so effortless! 

The last song they played before their encore was Whole Lotta Love. As they all took a bow holding hands and closed out their set, West gave me the set list that had been laying on the floor for the whole show. 

I highly recommend that the next time Zepparella comes to Humboldt County, you see them, especially if you’re a 23-year-old that has never been able to see Led Zeppelin and never will. The experience is uncanny, and they really put a Whole Lotta Love into their performance. Especially as a women-led band covering a genre that is very male-dominated, having women represent this band that I have loved forever and seeing it taken over by women brings me empowerment and love within my heart. 

Emma Wilson is a journalism public relations concentration major with an environmental ethics minor. Wilson enjoys learning about every inch of the world and making collages in her free time. She is also Editor In Chief of The Lumberjack.