Chilly oppa
St Paul’s
Coldest
Music Blogger
"Creativity is its own reward"
✦
"Creativity is its own reward" ✦
Reviews from an actual music fan
Music isn’t just sound, it's soul, it's history, it's the heartbeat of culture. I’m Chilly Oppa, and since day one, music has been my lifeline. From digging into dusty records to obsessively deep-diving into every genre you can name, I’ve found beauty, meaning, and connection in every beat and every lyric.
As an autistic person, the world hasn’t always felt built for the way that I experience it, but music has always made sense. It has always been my safe space, and my proof that feeling deeply is a strength. In a world where neurodivergent people are constantly misunderstood, music has always made me feel seen, understood and connected, without having to explain myself.
What started as a personal passion turned into a purpose: bridging the gap between local music lovers and the incredibly talented artists right here in the Twin Cities. My mission? To give honest, heartfelt reviews that go beyond the surface, because music deserves more than clickbait, and artists deserve someone who genuinely gives a F*#% about what they create.
If you’re making something honest, I’m listening. If you’re looking for something that feels like yours, you’re in the right place. This space is for the songs that linger
Much love gang, - Chilly Oppa
Local Band of the month
Waking Hours
During these increasingly difficult times, one band among many that has created a safe space for me within the beauty of their music, as well as shown up for the community without hesitation, is Waking Hours. Their latest track Slow Dancing is not only one of my favorite tracks of theirs, but also is a prime example of their dynamic and ethereal sound that I love so much!
So much about this track stands out to me. One of the main components that drew me in is the band's ability to teleport me to a new place through impressive instrumentation, and descriptive lyrics paired with beautiful melodies. The way this song makes me feel like I'm standing in the rain on a dreary fall evening, when in reality I'm smoking outside on a brutally cold winter day, is truly astonishing to me. I also absolutely loved the song structure and overall lasting resonance. The captivating vocal transition between verse and chorus, linked with a powerful instrumental bridge (I could listen to this part on repeat alone), and of course that mesmerizing hook, leaves this one echoing in my head on a weekly basis.
When it comes to shoegaze/ethereal rock, almost all of my favorite bands do one thing very right: they don't over-complexify the song as a whole, while still holding substance and replay value. Waking Hours does that extremely well not only on Slow Dancing but consistently through their entire discography. Their debut EP, blank stare, is a testament to their ability to do just that. The blend of celestial vocals from Liv Hedley (vocals/guitar), with the enchantingly noisy garden of sound from Hayden Tourtelotte (guitar), Christer Kuehn (guitar), Connor Jolly (bass), and Henry Lundeen-Detisch (drums), is truly something to be experienced.
Listen to Waking Hours' latest song, Slow Dancing here and check out the rest of their music at the links below! Their next scheduled show is February 13th at Day Block Brewing for Garden Glow's EP Release show, which will also be a benefit show. Proceeds will be donated to those impacted by ICE.
Make sure to follow them on Instagram @wakinghours.band to stay in the loop, you won't regret checking these guys out!
Photo Credit: Soren Sackreiter
^ Links to their music here! ^Capturing Minneapolis Live!
With Bonnie Rose
Room 3 performing at the Star Tribune Wrap Party, January 3rd, 2026
Illustration by Bonnie Rose
Latest Local Releases!
Chutes - There’s Nothing Growing in the Yard (EP)
Waking Hours - Slow Dancing (Single)
Fiona Hayes - models (Single)
Peeler - Greyscale (Single)
berzica - amulet (Single)