Blog
MIRIAH Is Learning How to Love Through the Pain on PINK GUN
Chicago’s alternative R&B artist turns grief, heartbreak, faith, and self-reflection into a deeply personal new EP, PINK GUN.
Love is supposed to be a beautiful thing, but what happens when the people searching for it don’t actually know how to love? For Chicago alternative R&B artist MIRIAH, that question became the foundation of her latest project, PINK GUN, an exploration of the ways people hurt one another, even when their intentions are good.
Making Melodies: A SOLEYA Interview
SOLEYA grew up with music through her parents, nurturing her ears with all sorts of sounds, from classical to modern pop. When she was young, she’d often sang scatting melodies with her mother’s voice memo as a playful pastime. Music has always been a part of her life but, alternative R&B was the music genre that captivated her the most. Drawn to the story-telling-like flow of the lyrics, accompanied by challenging vocals that show how vital of an instrument it is in each song. Which she incorporates in her art today, now daring to blend R & B with hip-hop, indie-pop, and soul.
Robert Castaño Is Finding Himself In The Alternative
For Robert Castaño, being an artist has never meant choosing one lane and staying there.
Raised between Philadelphia and New York, with roots in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, Castaño grew up surrounded by different sounds, perspectives, and creative influences. Today, those experiences show up throughout his music, from hip-hop and R&B to dance music, Latin sounds, and Spanish-language songwriting.
But calling his work simply “alternative” doesn’t quite tell the whole story.
September Music Highlight
We at The Limelight are constantly inspired by the vibrant arts scene that permeates Chicago’s every corner. In hopes to connect our audience to the infinitely talented artists who make it on our radar (Chicago local or not), we present The Limelight Blog’s ‘Artist Highlight’ series! As per our mission statement, we hope to expand our network as wide as we possibly can, and encourage you to share your creative talents with us so we can share YOU with our audience! As always, never stop chasing The Limelight.
In Essence, Everything’s art, Which Means Nothing is - An Interview with Syd Taylor
Creatives are practiced in doing a bit of everything. It takes discipline, time, habit, and of course, humor. Syd Taylor is the perfect package. In May, The Limelight's very own Stephanie Haro sat down with Asian-American artist Syd Taylor, whose specialties lie in satirical writing and distinct visual art. Read ahead to look through her unique lens of creating, get a sense of her down to earth energy, and learn about Syd’s book, Slipper Camp.
The Sounds Of Brasil: A Love Letter Written in Music
The Limelight’s very own writer, Jamari Shelton, recaps her trip to Brasil and how her love for music and culture impacted it.
Molly Grace’s Sapphic Soiree
Last month during the peak of Pride Month, Molly Grace visited Chicago for the penultimate show of her very own Sapphic Soirée. ‘Dance, Love, Flirt’ was the message of the night, where lovergirls were invited to be unapologetically themselves, while belting alongside music’s newest pop princess.
An Interview with Ike Dweck
Towards the beginning of his “Safe With Me” tour, we had the opportunity to sit and chat with Ike Dweck right before heading on stage at his Chicago stop. Ike Dweck is a Brooklyn-born and raised independent singer & songwriter who doesn't feel the need to fit himself into a single box. His natural knack for storytelling allows his lyrics to cut deep and connect with old and new listeners alike. Together, we discussed his history with writing, gaining his start on social media, and adapting to life on tour.
Inside Cameron McCloud’s World of Art, Music, and the Cure For Paranoia
Before Cure for Paranoia became three-time NPR Tiny Desk finalists, and the 2026 winners, it was a ‘doomsday’ road trip; A recently lost warehouse job, a conspiracy theory about a meteor strike, four cars packed with friends caravanning through Texas with walkie talkies like they were outrunning the end of the world.
tenmonthsummer, the Chicago Band Built Off of Community, Justice, and New Styles
The Chicago based lakeshore emo and shoegaze band, tenmonthsummer, is made up of Scumdrop, Nish, Charlie, Sam, and Luke. Each member brings their own background, influences, and creative instincts, shaping a sound that feels less like imitation and more of a blended variety.
The Vampire Rockstar OBSIDIAN
OBSIDIAN describes herself as a vampire rockstar who writes music for the dramatic, obsessive, and undead. “I want other black women to see that we can and are allowed to be weird.” Our writer, Stephanie Haro, had the chance to sit down and talk about all things drama, balance, and so much more with Chicago’s very own pop punk vampire.
Zack Zagula: the ‘Creative Utility Belt’ of the music industry
Zack Zagula went to school for public relations with a minor in music, though music was always his passion. However, Zagula didn’t yearn for center stage, instead he had a desire to help growing bands shine through the flash of a camera.
Who is Son Kuma?
Son Kuma, a Hip Hop and R&B composer and recording artist from Inglewood, California, has established his catalog based on a blend of emotional storytelling and vulnerability.
Love Letter to Chi
The Limelight’s very own Stephanie Haro dedicates a poem to the windy city where our collective was founded.
February Artist Highlight
With two visual artists and one poet, we have another artist highlight to put some new inspiration on your timeline!
The Story of Volumes Bookstore Café
Earlier this month, The Limelight’s Cristina Benavides interviewed Volumes Bookstore Café, A precious gem in the Wicker Park community closing at the end of January.
AARON EL SABROUT
Aaron El Sabrout is an Egyptian-American visual artist and community activist who has been working at the intersection of racial justice, queer issues, housing and food justice for many years. All his work depicts and reflects these issues and experiences, particularly those examining the relationship between queer/trans people of color, our bodies and the land.
ARTIST HIGHLIGHT
We at The Limelight are constantly inspired by the vibrant arts scene that permeates Chicago’s every corner. In hopes to connect our audience to the infinitely talented artists who make it on our radar (Chicago local or not), we present The Limelight Blog’s ‘Artist Highlight’ series! As per our mission statement, we hope to expand our network as wide as we possibly can, and encourage you to share your creative talents with us so we can share YOU with our audience! As always, never stop chasing The Limelight.
‘SLOPDOGS’ ALBUM REVIEW
One of the strongest aspects of the Chicago music scene is the rawness and authenticity that come with each act, and the punk/alternative rock band Slopdogs is no exception.