Clementine Moss, founder and drummer of Zepperella, an all-female Led Zeppelin tribute band formed in 2005, is also a solo musician, author, and spiritual counsellor trained in depth hypnosis, applied shamanism, and energy medicine. Clementine traces her path from a frustrated 27-year-old writer and bartender in New York City who picked up drumsticks on a whim, to becoming a devoted student of John Bonham's feel and timing, to founding Zepperella with guitarist Gretchen Menn. She reflects candidly on life on the road — the "sex, drugs, rock and roll" of touring in a van in her twenties versus the more disciplined, sober professionalism of touring today — and on what it meant, as a woman in heavy rock, to claim her own power and be heard. The conversation moves into her parallel spiritual path: an early Vipassana retreat, years of shamanic study across cultures, and her current work in depth hypnosis — a modality blending Western psychology, Buddhist philosophy, and shamanic practice that she credits with quieting her own harsh inner critic. Listen in!Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction: Clementine Moss, drummer, author, spiritual counselor00:49 – Taking up drums at 27 — leaving writing behind for a creative, collaborative outlet02:32 – Why drums specifically clicked, and her childhood connection to rhythm04:01 – The spiritual and communal dimension of drumming05:04 – Losing herself in the "flow state" behind the kit07:09 – Drums as a "beauty accessory" — letting go of self-judgment on stage08:02 – "If you have a problem, play the drums" — drumming as a clarity tool09:29 – Creativity surfacing during meditation and a 10-day silent retreat11:25 – Why Led Zeppelin — John Bonham's feel, timing, and emotional influence14:52 – How Zepperella came together, and where the name came from16:39 – Life in a band: van tours, 320 shows a year, and the myth vs. reality of rock life19:48 – Coming into her own power as a woman in heavy rock22:25 – Family support and touring life then vs. now24:07 – Pre-show rituals and superstitions around her drum kit25:29 – Her spiritual journey: early Vipassana experience and ongoing practice28:07 – Studying cross-cultural shamanic traditions and universal belief systems33:40 – Shamanic cosmology: upper, middle, and lower worlds36:09 – Depth hypnosis explained — blending psychology, Buddhism, and shamanism38:19 – How depth hypnosis helped quiet her own critical inner voice40:43 – The "Path of Service" course — recognizing self-depletion in caregiving43:26 – How she's evolved: trading ambition for enthusiasm45:54 – Where to find her music — new solo album and Zepperella's fifth albumFor more, email swishingmindsets@gmail.com Disclaimer: Views are personal. Listener discretion is advised. Want to be a guest on Swishing Mindsets with Anuradha Varma? Send Anuradha Varma a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1750746513391971e921bbda5
