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.

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.

Three up-and-coming musicians you should know about!

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 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.

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.

The Limelight’s very own Stephanie Haro dedicates a poem to the windy city where our collective was founded.

With two visual artists and one poet, we have another artist highlight to put some new inspiration on your timeline!

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.

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. 

Currently on tour across North America, The Ivy have grown outta Tulsa, and rooted themselves into the indie scene. The Limelight’s Stephanie Haro sat down with members of the Synth-Pop act, Shawn Abhari, Wyatt Clem, and Jordan Lynch for an interview prior to their sold-out Chicago show on April 5th.

It takes a lot to unite a room of strangers, yet Paris Paloma pulls it off effortlessly. After her rise on TikTok during the pandemic, Paloma proved that she’s a force to be reckoned with in the folk scene. The UK artist is currently touring across Northern America on her Cacophony Tour. On March 15th, she stopped at Thalia Hall for one night only, performing for a sold-out crowd.

Known for his viral single ‘Beyoncé,’ NYC native Hurri Haran is a force to be reckoned with. Having signed with Arista Records in 2024, the Trinidadian-American artist has already collaborated with Grammy winning producers spanning the likes of SZA, Ariana Grande, and Drake. Effortlessly blending R&B, hip-hop, and afro pop, the singer’s polished discography prophesies an exciting road ahead. The Limelight had the pleasure of speaking to Hurri about his relationships with labels, New York City, and social media – along with the effect fame has had on his creative process.

In recent years, Slow Pulp has made a steady pace to becoming one of the most relevant bands in the indie scene, they become more and more recognizable each time they release something new. The 4 piece bedroom pop band formed while in college at University of Wisconsin-Madison, but have since made Chicago their home base. While on the final stretch of their fall tour, the band stopped in Chicago before heading to Detroit for their last show. Stephanie Haro, a writer for The Limelight, attended one of their Chicago performances.

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.

Abby Moon-Sarudi, AKA Tokki Star, is a queer Korean-Guatemalan mixed-media artist from Chicago. Their work mainly revolves around gender identity, childhood, generational trauma, and self identity. Rabbits and star shapes act as a stand-in for themselves, and the use of rabbits within their work is particularly significant as it bridges Asian and Latino cultural elements. All of Tokki Star’s clothing is made and designed by Abby and is inspired by their love for J-Rock, cute things, and coming-of-age films.

The Limelight had the pleasure of sponsoring Columbia College Chicago’s Biggest Mouth 2024, produced by the Student Programming Board. In this interview, we spoke to Bread On Fork, the 8-piece fusion funk band who placed 3rd in this year’s competition!