The Big Thaw: Bandana Cheyenna Melts Emotional Ice with “Below Freezing”
By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine
Nashville has long known Bandana Cheyenna as the secret weapon in the writer’s room—the pen behind global phenomenons like Dasha’s billion-streamed “Austin.” But with the release of their new single, “Below Freezing,” the “hippie songbird” is stepping out from behind the curtain to prove that their own voice is just as vital as the hits they craft for others.
The Review: A Winter Love Letter to Vulnerability
“Below Freezing” isn’t just a song; it’s the opening chapter of a four-part winter love series Cheyenna is gifting listeners throughout February. It is a track that breathes with the quiet, crisp air of a February morning, blending the “dreamy and melodic” sensibilities of Billie Eilish with the timeless folk bones of Joni Mitchell.
The Sound: The production, handled by Herbie Mortera, is masterfully understated. An “airy harmony” sits atop a “chill guitar” bed, creating a sonic landscape that feels both vast and claustrophobic—much like the fear of a new romance. Cheyenna’s soaring falsetto is the guiding light here, navigating the listener through a production style that mirrors the “easy-listening” quality of Maggie Rogers while maintaining an Americana heartbeat.
The Story: Lyrically, the song tackles the terrifying moment of emotional transition. Inspired by a real-life romance, “Below Freezing” explores the friction between a “once-frozen heart” and the warmth of a new connection.
“This might be cliché, but February is known as the month of love, so what better way to celebrate than with a love song,” says Cheyenna.
It isn’t a saccharine ballad; it is a song about the courage it takes to be soft after years of self-protection. It challenges the listener to let the ice crack, making it a perfect anthem for the transition from winter’s isolation into spring’s renewal.
About the Artist: Nashville’s Genre-Free Visionary
Raised in the cornfields of Ohio and steeped in Midwestern religious traditions, Bandana Cheyenna (born in 1999) spent their childhood secretly discovering the folk and country greats. After seeing a documentary on Taylor Swift at age 11, Cheyenna set a singular goal: move to Nashville and get a publishing deal.
They didn’t just meet that goal—they exceeded it. Cheyenna’s career is a tapestry of high-profile collaborations and massive hits:
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The Hitmaker: Co-writer of Dasha’s “Austin (Boots Stop Workin’)” and Alexandra Kay’s “Cupid’s A Cowgirl.”
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The Collaborator: Has worked with heavyweights like Nathan Chapman (Taylor Swift), Dan Wilson (Adele, Chris Stapleton), Mickey Guyton, and Breland.
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The Philosophy: Self-described as a “gender-free and genre-free” artist, Cheyenna describes their sound as “if Noah Kahan, Kacey Musgraves, and Willie Nelson had a three-way queer hippie song child.”
Milestones & Momentum
While Cheyenna’s pen has earned them Female Song of the Year at the 2024 People’s Choice Country Awards, their artistry is currently taking center stage. Following the sold-out release party for Act I of their EP series, The Artist’s Pilgrimage, Cheyenna is hitting a stride that feels unstoppable.
Upcoming Appearances:
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SXSW & Austin TV: Gearing up for major performances in Austin, TX.
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Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival: Catch them on Saturday, March 28.
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Past Highlights: Notable performances at the Bluebird Café, Nashville Pride, and WSM-AM.
The Verdict
“Below Freezing” is a stunning re-introduction to an artist who refuses to be boxed in. By placing their own story at the forefront, Bandana Cheyenna is expanding the boundaries of what Country and Americana can look like in 2026—diverse, queer, empowered, and undeniably soul-stirring.