Here's What We Have:

What type of show can you expect from a band with one single out? A taste of what’s to come. The five-piece alt-rock band Savoia took the stage at Baby’s Alright this past Sunday, fresh off tour after opening for The Criticals. Their thrilling set made it well worth venturing through the stormy weather that plagued the city this past week. The show was practically an unofficial listening party for their new album, teasing the audience with unreleased tracks and leaving them wanting even more. Ending the night with their only released single, “Bringing Me Down.” With inspiration from artists such as Cage the Elephant, The Rolling Stones, The Kooks, and The Strokes, the band encapsulates a similar gritty and rhythmic sound. Lucas Allan, the band’s frontman, and Caleb Rubin, the bassist, would describe their music as “dirty, alluring, and danceable.” The style of Savoia’s frontman further displays what to expect in their music, taking center stage with an indie sleaze/glam rock; a visual representation of their classic/indie rock sound. After opening with a few bangers set to be on their new album, they shifted gears, slowing it down a bit to a more smooth and groovy sound to one of my favorite songs of the night, “Victoria.” While the Arctic Monkeys have “Arabella”, Savoia has “Victoria”. The night's only disappointment was knowing I would go home and could not continue jamming to their music. Thankfully, we don’t have to wait too long! Their single “Hypochondriac” is set to drop May 26, and after a stellar performance, they leave us in anticipation of their future album, set to release sometime this summer! We can’t wait to see what this band has in store for the future, and you can listen to “Bringing Me Down” below! Written by Ashley Murphy Photography by James Avalos, https://www.instagram.com/jamesavalos_/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D

Gerrie Lim, also known as the "Pigeon Post", has been creating content on TikTok for about two years now. They have a unique approach to their videos: Lim is focused on bringing light through comedy while unfolding the current New York City drama. I wanted to reach out to Gerrie to find out the inspiration behind the content and why New York City is so special to them. What made you want to start your news channel on TikTok? Comedians I admire (Jon Stewart, John Oliver) made this distinction, and I will too: I don’t think what I do is news. Journalists at Gothamist, The City, or any of the other publications do the hard part, which is the journalism, and then I’m a clown that sprinkles funny poop on their work. I’d wanted to get into content creation for a while, but I know my biggest problem is coming up with new content. News is an easy way to load what I call the “churner.” I’m interested in being informed about what’s happening in the city. Not in the “what pop-ups are happening” kind of way (though a little bit of that too, occasionally), but more in the “here are the politics and mechanics that make the city run” sort of way. Until I moved to NYC, I was never interested in government—I’m talking failed the AP Gov exam and everything, and that thing is basically a modified citizenship test. Like yeah, I care about politics now because I hate OMNY and want to keep the MetroCard. I love the comedic/satirical aspect behind the content. What is the reason behind doing that? People on TikTok simply will not pay attention if I present it like Spectrum NY1, which is fine, because #same. It’s also a cathartic release I think? A lot of times I’m presenting the news with commentary that basically says “Isn’t this stupid?”. The news can be pretty depressing at times, but it’s fun to laugh about how depressing it can be. Is it healthy? I don’t know. Have you always lived in NYC? If not, what made you want to move here? I moved here for grad school years ago, and I think my family expected me to move back home when I graduated, but I never did. I’ve lived in the city for almost 7 years now. When my parents immigrated to this country, they lived across the Hudson and worked in the Bronx before their visas took them elsewhere. But every time they visit, they ask to go to "Hop Kee" in Chinatown because that’s where they used to eat all the time. What can you find in NYC that you can't find anywhere else? The best public transit system in the United States. I dunk on the MTA a lot on Pigeon Post, but I love the subway. I saw a TikTok once that said Americans glamorize college because, for a lot of folks, it’s the only time in their lives when they’ll live in a walkable community and talk to their neighbors. NYC is not to be treated with a college mindset—like show some respect—but the parallels to that experience are definitely there. How do you see the news industry evolving in the coming years? I don’t know, but whatever the case, the Washington Post’s TikTok account will be at the forefront of it. If you chose a celebrity co-host, who would it be and why? Any of the famous birds in Central Park: Ideally Mandarin Patinkin aka Hot Duck, but no one’s seen him in years, so next in line is Flaco, the escaped owl. What is in store for the Pigeon Post in the future? Any fun projects?! I’d love to do more field pieces—just to change up from shooting in my room. I also would love to do collaborations with other NYC content creators! One of my goal projects is to do a series where I get to interview and follow along with people who make NYC work—such as subway conductors, the sanitation garbage guys, and, now, the rat czar. Thank you so much to Gerrie for taking the time to answer these questions and finding time to take some photos! You can find The Pigeon Post on Tiktok @thepigeonpost and Instagram @thepigeonpost to stay updated with their content and New York City. Written by Mark Bluemle Photography by Mark Bluemle

Wilmah is a local indie band consisting of Matt Connolly (vocals and guitar) and Will O’Connor (bass). Having grown up together, the two began making music in high school and are now on their way to make their mark in the NYC music industry. Matt and Will “try to find the meaning in everything and anything”, as Will says in the interview, and their music is just that. They connect themselves to the world through their music and it shows. Their songs have amassed over one million streams on Spotify. Being a local band, based in Brooklyn, we thought Wilmah would be perfect for the I <3 NY issue, as they have just released their new single on April 14! Read below to learn more about Wilmah and their new song, Dead To Me! What made you want to start a band together? M: Will actually had a crush on one of his friend's mom in high school who happened to really have a thing for musicians, and he knew I played guitar and sang so he asked me if I’d be willing to start a band with him. W: I wish. Nah, actually we were kinda put in a band together by one of our music teachers in high school. But we left that band in college and realized we wanted to do our own thing and it kinda took off from there. What is something you hope listeners take away from your music? M: I hope listeners take away the personality in the songwriting. I really try to put myself and the way I think into my lyrics, so I hope people can relate but also be entertained at the same time. Funny lyrics are the best lyrics. W: I just hope they can find some way to relate to the lyrics. We wouldn’t be writing and making these songs if there wasn’t a way to relate and connect with listeners. It doesn’t feel important if these songs don’t mean anything to anyone. What would be the point in performing if you couldn’t? Matt and I have always said we try to find the meaning in anything and everything so I think that’s always good to keep in the back of our minds when we write a song. Have you always lived in NYC? If not, what made you want to move here? If yes, what makes you want to stay? M: We grew up in Buffalo, New York but ended up going to college in Westchester and the Bronx. We want to stay for the Bonus Room off the Halsey stop. W: Best burger in Brooklyn. No bev no cap. Has NYC influenced your work or creative process? M: Honestly not really. I don’t find places to influence our creative process, but it is exciting to be surrounded by other talented people making music that we appreciate. W: I don’t think it has, like in the sense of all the cliches that people always describe NYC as. Although, the new relationships we’ve made here definitely have inspired a lot of good lyrics. What can you find in NYC that you can't find anywhere else? M: A good BEC (bacon, egg, and cheese.) W: I honestly don’t really know, I haven’t been to many places besides NYC in the world. I just know the pizza is definitely better here than in Buffalo. What is your favorite spot in the city? M: Times Square. We love the action! W: Murray Hill! Such a great atmosphere for nightlife! If you could be anything or anyone in this world or another, what would you be? M: I’d like to be Brad Pitt. W: Probably Robert Pattinson. I don’t really know what another world would be like. What superpower would you want? M: Teleportation. W: I don’t really think I’d be happy with any of the superpowers out there. I don’t really think this is a hot take but I’m just not a fan of superheroes or comics. Idk can’t explain it. Just doesn’t excite me yanno? I think it’d be cool though to just have a really random hidden talent. Or just be able to speak a crazy amount of languages. Kinda random, but ya. Who is your favorite artist? M: Wilmah. W: What he said. Gotta shout out Father John Misty as well and probably The Strokes. Honorable mention FatBoy Slim. When did you realize you wanted to pursue music? M: Once I hit about 15 years old, I realized there was no other path for me. It’s sometimes challenging to live with that decision, but it’s the cross we bear! W: I think the moment Matt and I joined the band together. So I was 16/17. My mom wouldn’t let me do so many other things I wanted to do, so picking up an instrument was the least dangerous and most probable. Tell us about your first performance, how did it make you feel? M: I played at an open mic when I was 7. A woman asked me for an autograph after and that made me feel pretty cool. W: I honestly don’t have many memories about the first time we played together as a band. I just liked the feeling of being able to let go of all the stress and anxiety I have and random thoughts and just let loose. The music just kind of takes over me. Every time we get on stage together is equally as special as the first. Your new song “Dead to Me” just released, what is your favorite line in the song? M: I do love a lot of the lines of this song, but at the moment I’m pretty happy I fit in a Frasier reference with “We could’ve watched Frasier reruns late at night.” Shout out Frasier! W: I like the air mattress line. It’s a very specific memory to me of a relationship I was in. W: Thank you guys! We really appreciate it. Thank you so much to Wilmah and Brooke for taking the time for this interview and working with us! We can’t wait to see what you guys do in the future. Speaking of, Wilmah will be playing at Baby’s All Right in Brooklyn on May 4th. There is still time to get your tickets and we hope to see you there! Written by Grace Bugin Photography by Mark Bluemle

It's hard enough being a college student, but imagine having to be camera ready almost every day. Being booked with classes and working around photoshoots, it seems like it's impossible to get it all done. Ka'enaaloha Watson is a student at Pace University, a Model, Influencer, Creative Director, Actor, and much, much more. I wanted to follow Kaena around for a day to understand how she does it all. Here is the day in the life of Ka'enaaloha Watson!! Shot and Edited by Mark Bluemle. You can follow Kaenas's Instagram below!

I still remember the first day I felt invisible. I was six, and my parents had guests over, and it was late, and it felt like no one saw me or cared that I couldn't sleep without being tucked in, so I roamed the house, trying to feel seen. I stumbled into my parent's room, and their tv was on Saturday Night Live. This is how I knew it was way too late to be up, yet something about it felt so alive, like me, new york, and the season 36 cast, were all together having fun, laughing, and enjoying the night. Somehow I got lost in the jokes I didn't understand, and the brilliant comedic timing and Florence the machine started playing, it was the first time I heard dog days are over, and I could swear I was in the crowd, like I was a part of all of it, in that small hour I stopped feeling invisible. After that, I vowed I belonged in New York City. Always growing up in a town right outside a big city, the energy and enthusiasm of what is held inside, has always felt so far away. But turning on the TV gave me a one-way ticket to the city that never sleeps. When I used to think of New York, I thought of all the shows that are set there, I also thought about how deeply ingrained each of them is in who I am today. From Carrie Bradshaw's killer style to Chandler Bing's sarcasm, even in recent shows, I find myself falling in love with the characters, and the way they navigate life in the city, with all its faults and beauties. And it's not just me, friends and peers all have these distinct memories of watching re-run episodes and binge-watching all the best moments that make new york city seem like the place to be. I’ve found that most of our generation has found comfort in this, the idea of a new place, capable of fresh starts, and escape, a place capable of holding what feels like “too much”, whether that’s in dreams, personality, or ambition, these shows give us a way of seeing a place, with unlimited room to be exactly who we dream to be. Friends is set in Manhattan and follows a group of friends living and working in the city. Friends captures the quintessential New York experience of living in a lively city with a close group of friends. The show's portrayal of Central Perk, the coffee shop where the characters frequently gather, has become a symbol of New York City's coffee culture and social scene. One of the key influences of Friends on the romanticization of New York is its depiction of the "coffee shop culture" that is ubiquitous in the city. The show's portrayal of the Central Perk coffee shop, where the characters spend much of their time, highlights the importance of communal gathering places in the city's social scene. Friends also showcases the importance of having a tight-knit group of friends in a city where it can be difficult to make connections. While the different storylines like Rachel getting her dream job at Ralph Lauren and the rooftop scene showcase the excitement and magic of New York, they also contribute to the romanticized idea that anyone can achieve their dreams if they work hard enough. While this idea can inspire people to pursue their passions, it can also lead to the unrealistic expectation that success is solely a matter of effort and that failure is a personal fault rather than a systemic issue. Additionally, the romanticization of the city can contribute to gentrification and the displacement of long-time residents who cannot afford the rising costs of living in the city. Another iconic sitcom set in Manhattan is Sex and the City. It follows the lives of four women as they navigate their careers, relationships, and social lives in the city. The show's depiction of fashion, nightlife, and romance has contributed to the romanticization of New York as a city of glamour, excitement, and possibility. Sex and the City has had a major influence on the romanticization of New York as a city of fashion and style. The show's depiction of the characters' lavish lifestyles, glamorous wardrobes, and fancy apartments has contributed to the image of New York as a place of wealth and luxury. The show also explores the city's diverse neighborhoods, highlighting the unique character and charm of each area. As much as I love Sex and the City and how the show showcases the glamour and luxury of New York, they also contribute to the romanticized idea that the city is a place of endless resources. While this idea can inspire people to pursue their dreams, it can also contribute to the perception that success is only attainable for those who are already privileged and that those who cannot achieve this level of success are somehow inadequate. Additionally, the romanticization of the city can contribute to the commodification of its culture and the erasure of the city's diverse communities. Although, not all perceptions of New York have to be romanticized, idyllic, white, cookie-cutter versions. Pose is set in New York City in the late 1980s and early 1990s. the show premiered in 2018, and although is set in an earlier decade, its message and story carry on to today's audience incredibly. The show explores the ball culture of the LGBTQ+ community and highlights issues such as discrimination, poverty, and the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The show has been praised for its authentic representation of LGBTQ+ people and people of color and its depiction of the importance of chosen family. The ball scenes specifically showcase the creativity, talent, and resilience of the LGBTQ+ community. These scenes also highlight the importance of chosen family and the support they provide for individuals who are rejected by their biological families. Additionally, the ball scenes showcase the diversity and inclusivity of the LGBTQ+ community and its contributions to the cultural identity of New York City. This depiction of New York City in Pose is not as prominent as in other shows. The show presents a more nuanced and realistic portrayal of the city, showcasing both the struggles and triumphs of marginalized communities. The show celebrates the Originality, tenacity, and range of the LGBTQ+ community and its contributions to the cultural identity of New York City. The show's depiction of the importance of chosen family is inspiring, to appreciate and celebrate the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community is to open doors to people that didn't even know existed. It gives way to the idea, that no matter who you are, there's a place for you. This idea isn't restricted to new york, no matter how the media makes it seem. New York is a place where dreamers can come and find a community, but it's also a place that can be incredibly challenging to live in. One of the biggest challenges is the rise in the cost of living in these cities. As more and more young people flock to places like New York, Austin, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, the cost of rent and other necessities has skyrocketed, making it harder and harder for creatives to make ends meet. We may find ourselves struggling to make ends meet, isolated from our support systems, and grappling with the stress and pressures of city life. This has led to the loss of many young creatives and has kept our generation out of the spaces we've been dreaming of since we were kids. Despite these challenges, I still believe that it's important for our generation to have a "place" where we can fit in and be ourselves. And for a lot of us, that place might be New York. There's something about this city that draws in dreamers from all over the world, and we must continue to foster that spirit of creativity and possibility. Of course, it's also important to remember that moving to a new city won't solve all of our problems. We can't just run away from our issues and hope that a change of scenery will fix everything. In previous years, if you wanted to make something of yourself, you had to move to the big city. And for our generation, that message shaped our dreams and ambitions. But now that I'm older, I've realized that the reality is much more complicated than the idealized version we saw on TV. While moving to a new place can certainly offer a fresh start, it doesn't necessarily mean that all our problems will disappear. Sometimes the places we happen to be in, make us feel silent and unseen, and we take it because it feels good just to be there. It's not enough to be somewhere if you can't be all of you while there. Often we find ourselves trying desperately to replace our feelings of fear, stress, and loneliness, when in fact, for many young people, the challenges of living in a big city can be just as overwhelming. What I've learned about NYC, is that it will allow your quietness, your imperfections, your quirks, and your shine, it will allow you. All of you. To just be you. NYC gives you a place, to fit in, no matter who you are. But, moving, and trying to run from those feelings, does not work out the way it's planned. Without realizing it, your baggage isn't just toothpaste and cool outfits, it's all the crappy stuff you thought you were leaving behind. Now I can't give you the end all to the problems this world has given our generation, I can't even begin to list what ways we fight daily to hold on to some ounce of safety, but I know that, In the end, it's all about finding balance. We need to embrace the dreamer inside of us and strive for something more, but we also need to be grounded in reality and remember that life isn't always easy. And if we can do that, I believe that we can make our dreams a reality, no matter where we end up. There is something about the energy and possibility of these places that can be intoxicating. And for many, the dream of making it out of our “bad” is too powerful to resist. But it's not just about making it in the big city. It's all about finding a place where you feel like you belong. Whether that's in New York or small town Ohio, the feeling of safety, warmth, and community, should be accessible wherever we go. It should also be important to love and create within the communities that already exist, after my first visit, I wanted to enthrall myself in all the tourist-centric activities new york had to offer, but somehow on my second day there, I found myself at a friends house, eating Bhature, and coconut chickpea curry with her neighbors, we talked about where to really go in new york, and all the places they've seen come and go through the years. I remember the way they observed everything, the changes made on their corner, the posters added to their route, the way they talked about the city, in hidden tones, and caring novelty. It made me look at everything I did in the city more carefully, more purposefully. It wasn't like the movies, it wasn’t like anything I had seen before. It was original, alive, and fantastical, not because of high-rise rooftop parties, or galas, but because, people everywhere I went, were unafraid in a way I never noticed before. When I think of new york now, I think of the guy holding the subway emergency door open to make sure as many people as possible can pass for free I think of the block parties made up of homemade burgers and summer heat, full of kids playing tag and planning sleepovers I think of loud nights with kids from college, all sitting at the pizza shop that's been around for decades, dressed in glitter and mischief When I think of new york, I think of hidden corners full of love, in all forms, full of energy beyond words, and beauty even in the unconventional. This New York is the place loved by our generation, or at least it should be, because this new york, is the place we deserve to keep safe, have space in, and continue to nourish. This is the new york that loves us too. Written by Toni Desiree

grand central station Top of the rock tribeca chelsea soho LIC Photography by Arnold Okyere

Everyone knows that the MCU has created an expansive and impressive universe. They have explored a seemingly never-ending array of locations, from real-world places to outer space adventures that go beyond our wildest dreams. Since 2008 Marvel Studios has never shied away from their love of real-world locations, but one has stood out above the rest. New York City is the prime location for a lot of franchises, not just Marvel. But just how many times has NYC been featured in Marvel projects? From origin stories to ultimate battles, the Marvel Cinematic Universe is always willing to show off its NYC pride. The first appearance of NYC from Marvel Studios is so iconic it makes sense that it was the first. In Captain America: The First Avenger, released in 2011, our hometown hero is shown to have grown up in 1940s Brooklyn. Every detail is attended to, from the vehicles to the buildings, even to the fashion! Everything looks like it was ripped from a picture taken in 1940s NYC. When talking about Captain America, of course, I have to mention the memorable scene at the end of the movie when Cap wakes up from his 70-year slumber and finds himself in the middle of Times Square. The awe he experiences is a feeling tourists and first-time visitors are sure to feel familiar with. Next, we have to discuss the movie about everyone's favorite playboy turned superhero; Iron Man, and subsequently Iron Man 2. In Iron Man, released in 2008, it is revealed that the billionaire genius Tony Stark was born in Manhattan, and in Iron Man 2, released in 2010, Stark Expo (the Expo created by Tony’s father to present new ideas and bring creative minds together) was set in Flushing Meadows. It’s also made clear throughout the entire MCU that Tony's home, Stark Towers, is in New York City. Seems like even though they had a war between them, Cap and Tony can agree on the magic of NYC. After discussing Iron Man it’s no surprise that Spiderman comes to mind. Spiderman is arguably the most iconic NYC superhero so of course the films focused on him feature the multifaceted beauty of New York. Peter Parker is from the great borough of Queens and his movies do not shy away from including shots of the city, especially the newer movies about Tom Holland's Spider-Man. In Spider-Man: Homecoming a shot of Grand Central Station opens the movie, and Peter Parker goes to school at the (fictional) Midtown School of Science and Technology. Even Spider-Man: Far From Home features the city, featuring some shots reminiscent of its predecessor. But Spider-Man: No Way Home truly takes the cake, when Peter Parker's face is displayed on billboards in Times Square. Even if we throw it back to the very first live-action, the appreciation for NYC is abundant. In Spider-Man in Toby McGuire in Spider-Man when he works at New York's very own Joe's Pizza! If there were ever any questions about Marvel-loving New York, Peter Parker has your answers. Spider-man: Into the Spiderverse is a movie that is hailed as one of the best-animated films of all time and is my favorite movie that represents the Marvelized versions of NYC. The Oscar-winning animated adventure is set in New York, and though most of the locations are fabricated there is an obvious inspiration from the real NYC. The stunning sweeping shots of the skyline, or even just scenes where Miles Morales is going through his daily life, every aspect of New York is represented. Even though the film is technically owned by Sony, Miles Morales will always be the Marvel hero of our dreams. Jump almost exactly 10 years before Spider-man: Into the Spiderverse was released in 2008 Marvel fans were presented with The Incredible Hulk, which was just a hint as to what the character of Bruce Banner would become in later films. The Hulk and his partner in the film Betty travel to Empire State University in NYC where Bruce Banner (who was not yet played by Mark Ruffalo) tries to find the antidote for his superhuman condition. While the movie isn’t the most popular Marvel movie and has been subject to a lot of criticism, its representation of New York City proves that Marvel has always loved the city, even when they were first starting. Something new that Marvel has been doing is producing Disney+ original series about different Marvel fan favorites, and even new characters. What’s not new, is their appreciation for the city that started everything for them. A show that has a huge appreciation of NYC is Hawkeye. With all 6 episodes being set in NYC, and all 6 featuring iconic locations from the city. The most notable New York City appearances are in the first and sixth episodes of the show. In the season premiere “Never Meet Your Heroes” the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre is displayed in all its glory when Hawkeye himself goes to see a Broadway show titled “Rogers: The Musical”. Then in the season finale “So This is Christmas?” The titular battle that the show had been working towards all season takes place in the very festively decorated Rockefeller Center. Hawkeye isn’t the only Marvel series that features New York City. Their series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, which premiered just a few months before Hawkeye did, has a less intense love for New York, with only two episodes of the six, showcasing the city. The last two episodes of the series each show a beautifully shot sweeping showcase of the New York City skyline, that in my opinion, makes up for the lack of NYC in the first four episodes. Even Ms. Marvel, a series that starts its first episode in Jersey City, showcases NYC in fabulous ways. Even the promotional art features the city skyline. Moving on to a stranger hero (get it, like Doctor Strange?) both Doctor Strange and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness feature New York City. Doctor Strange started as a regular man in NYC and then became the Doctor he is now when he stumbled upon the Sanctum which is located in New York. With such an important landmark of his character being set in the city, it's no surprise that his movies spend quite a lot of time there as well. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness as well as Doctor Strange feature some wonderfully trippy visuals of the city Marvel loves so much, while also showcasing the wonderfully mundane aspects of the city. After discussing all of these famous Marvel heroes it only feels right to end with the heroes that truly began it all, The Avengers. Being the first of many major crossovers in the MCU it makes sense that so much of the movie takes place in the city where it all began. In The Avengers Manhattan is the main location of almost the entire movie, with Stark Towers being where The Avengers meet up, and Manhattan being the object of every bad guy's path of destruction, the borough is well represented. NYC is even featured in Avengers: Age of Ultron. Even though the main plot of the movie, as well as the iconic battle with Ultron himself, take place in Novi Grad, Sokovia, New York City is still featured at the end of the movie when the Avengers new base is revealed. New York City also starts the movie, showcased in Stark Towers where Ultron was created. Finally, in Infinity War, NYC is given the ultimate appreciation. Avengers: Infinity War is one of the biggest crossover events in the entire MCU, displaying every hero from Doctor Strange to Nick Fury, and even The Guardians of the Galaxy. The film displays an almost impossible amount of locations but still manages to feature New York City multiple times throughout multiple scenes in the movie. The Marvel Cinematic Universe has never shied away from its passionate love for New York City. With so many of the characters and stories being placed right in the heart of it all, fans and casual viewers alike can agree that Marvel has shaped their view of the beautiful city of New York. Written by Lucy Anderson

On April 29, @sumsun.noise and @kidsthatfly took on the main stage at Brooklyn Monarch. The local alternative pop/rock band Kids that Fly got the crowd warmed up starting their set with a groovy fan favorite, “For the Night.” Throughout their set, they managed to enchant the audience with their catchy songs and electric stage presence. Along with their own original music, they slipped in a cover of Tom Petty’s classic hit, “American Girl.” They brought the housedown by closing with their biggest hit, “Kiss Her You Fool, which is approaching 20 million streams on Spotify! Special guest included the trumpet duo, The Horn Dogs. At the end of their set, not only did they successfully hype up the crowd, but recruited a significant number of new fans. Following that stellar opener, SumSun transported the crowd from the dark venue in Bushwick to the warm beach we all have been fanticizing about in anticipating of summer. The electric pop duo have the same energetic energy as The Chainsmokers and indie pop vocals as Coin, intoxicating the crowd with their laid back vibe. They teased their new single with “Bonnie and Clyde”, set to come out next month as well as a cover of Coin’s “Talk Too Much.” By the end of the night I was ready to hop in the car and drive up the coast with the top down blasting their music!! Written by Ashley Murphy Photography by Jake Pranian

Hi friends! I thought it would be fun to kind of talk about why we choose the issue for the month! Kind of an "Editor-In-Chief behind-the-scenes" moment. Even though I have only been in the city for 2 years, I've come to appreciate all of the amazing things that have come out of it. Especially the people! For this issue, I wanted to find bands, models, and content creators who shared the same theme: making art in a city they love. I think we successfully covered the theme of individuality and finding your voice in a city full of millions of people. We put out a bunch of posters around Pace, and our writer team has grown so much since. I'm so happy that we got some new folks included in this issue on short notice, and we have some more articles being posted later as additions to the issue!! Our issues only get bigger and bigger and I love it. I also wanted to say thank you for all of the support lately! For real! It's truly incredible to see other people appreciate your art and want to get involved. I cannot wait for all of you to see what we have for this summer! Now let's get to the shoot. For this shoot, I wanted to go to spots that are iconic and important to me. To start, we had to hit the subway. Even though the subway can be gross, dirty, smelly, slow, late, loud, crowded, and hot. It's still an iconic part of NYC living. I admit, it defiantly took some getting used to, but I never would have thought I would be able to navigate the subway system! Our next stop is Washington Square Park. Whether you are a skater, a stoner, a college kid trying to sell clothes, a musician, a photographer, or just a student trying to get to class, this park has something for you! I don't go here as much as I should, but whenever I go, the vibes are usually good and upbeat! It just had to be included in this shoot. Our last stop for this group was the Empire State Building. I remember when I was moving back to the city after winter break freshman year, I was pretty depressed. My lovely mom (I know you're reading this - hello!!) came back with me and we took a walk around the Empire State Building, and for some reason, I just felt a connection with the building. Like a sort of you're okay and you're here in the city for a reason. Models: Amy Kapel, Spencer Bellamy, Jiana Casazza For the next group, we took a trip to the iconic Brooklyn Bridge. The bridge is pretty close to where my school is, so whenever I feel like taking a nice walk, I find myself here. It's always nice to look back at the city and take a second to realize where you really are and how much you have accomplished. Models: Richelle Fatalo, Joe St. Pierre, Kaena Watson, Camilo José Torres Shot and Edited by Mark Bluemle. See you next month <3!!

A playlist for everyone who is living their city dreams right now. <3 Enjoy! By Lily Greenberg

Rain drips down my face From my forehead to the tip of my nose Before plunging onto the sidewalk Tourists bound in wonder Stop where they stand Gazing toward the sky What do they see that I can not? Music pours into my ears Drowning out everything around me Leaving me deaf to the world My jeans cling to my legs Morphing into a second skin As my shoes fill with water Children huddle near their parent's legs Protected from the wet and cold That emanates within this dreary city Puddles fill with raindrops As the street fills with people Each of us a single drop of rain Doesn’t it feel lonely? Falling alone from so high above Abandoned by the cloud which created you The rain, heavy and rapid Baptizes me Until I am clean Washing me away Until I am nothing less Than the skeleton trapped within Sprout flowers From the cracks Laid within the concrete And resurrect my soul As I wish to live For as long as the water flows Let me be free As free as the rain That pours upon my head Written by Grace Bugin

After a season of forgiveness and (comparatively) less violence, Barry Berkman is back. The third episode of the fourth and final season of Barry aired last night with a return to the sharp and witty energy of earlier seasons. Quirky podcast references, a questionable acting class, and humorous hyperviolence made this episode refreshing and familiar without sacrificing the dramatic tension the show has built over the years. With the addition of two surprising cameos and a continuation of impressive camera techniques, “you’re charming” is an ideal episode of Barry. The ebb and flow of Barry’s violence have been a foundational aspect of his character since the first season when he decided to retire from being a hitman to pursue acting and have a normal life. While Barry (Bill Hader) was by no means a pacifist in the previous season, Sunday’s climatic shoot-out was a brilliantly crafted and entertaining reminder of Barry’s casual expertise. This outburst of violence doesn’t only stem from the imminent threat of his assassination, it’s also the result of realizing his isolation. When Vanity Fair reporter Lon O’Neil (Patrick Fischler) reveals that Gene Cousineau (Henry Winkler) talked about the extent of Barry’s abuse, the convict calls NoHo Hank (Anthony Carrigan) with a favor to ask. However, in this tense yet cathartic scene, Hank truly stands up for himself for the first time against Barry. This scene, as well as Sally’s which precedes it, is filmed in a domineering close-up shot. Bill Hader, who has also directed every episode this season, explains that these excruciatingly claustrophobic shots are indicative of the overwhelmed characters. As Barry and Hank argue, the most menacing aspect is how the former stares directly into the camera lens. However, we keep being reminded that just because Barry is a murderer doesn’t mean he’s the only guilty character. This episode also demonstrates how Sally, Hank, Gene, and even Jim terrorize others for selfish purposes. Strangely, it seems that by trying to protect Barry from being killed in prison, Fuches (Steven Root) is the only character looking out for someone else in this episode. After receiving some advice from Gene, Sally (Sarah Goldberg) is trying to salvage her new life by following in Gene’s footsteps. She’s started teaching acting classes like Gene, in his theatre, with his techniques. When a blonde student, Kristen, is underprepared, Sally berates her mercilessly to conjure a better performance, mimicking the exact behavior Gene directed towards her in the pilot. While the other students in the class call this behavior abusive and quit the class, Kristen stays behind. While Sally has only demonstrated physical violence once in the show’s duration (pay close attention and you can spot her murder victim sitting in the back of the theatre), her outbursts of rage have finally found a home. Meanwhile, upon learning of Barry’s cooperation with the FBI, Gene and his agent Tom (Fred Melamed) realize the danger of the Vanity Fair article. Gene has always been a character that’s been desperate for attention, but he still values his life over publicity. The surreal Barry solution to this problem is breaking into reporter Lon’s home to destroy any evidence of Gene’s cooperation. In this hilarious sequence, Fred Melamed serves as the perfect guest star for such an irreverent show. The camera lingers on one room, so as Gene and Fred leave the frame to search the home for any writing, we hear the absurdly destructive ransacking of a room only to hear Melamed say, “Oh shit. That’s a kitchen in there.” For as useless as Gene and Tom are in their search (Tom tossing a monitor in the pool is another favorite moment of mine), Jim Moss (the father of the cop Barry killed, played by Robert Wisdom) has things under control. Lon comes to Jim looking for further insight. After mysterious torture takes place in Jim’s garage (we only see Jim hosing down the trunk of his car), Lon returns to his house in different clothes and is speaking fluent German, which he never spoke before. These characters aren’t in the clear yet, though, as the assassination attempt against Barry naturally doesn't go according to plan. After Hank decides to kill Barry, he hires Toro (the first cameo of the night, Guillermo Del Toro). Toro assures Hank and Cristobal (Michael Irby) that he has his best guys on it. While other shows wouldn’t require further information, Barry weaves in its odd and delightful humor by including that the two assassins have a podcast where they review gadgets that never work. These janky gadgets are likely why Barry makes it out of this episode alive. Providing its second cameo of the night, Barry is being informed about the risks of witness protection (in an improvised and highly entertaining monologue from Dan Bakkedahl) when he notices one of the men in the back is behaving abnormally. “That guy’s gonna kill me,” he says, staring at a sweating Fred Armisen. Barry is a television show that doesn’t include cameos often, which is why this appearance from Hader’s longtime collaborator feels so intentionally jarring. Sure enough, Armisen’s podcasting assassin tries to shoot Barry only to have the weapon backfire and gruesomely destroy his own hand. This triggers the other assassin, hiding in the rafters to immediately kill everyone else in the room, narrowly missing Barry. Although it has been a minute since the audience has seen Barry demonstrate his killing capabilities, he calmly dodges bullets and successfully fires at the other podcaster in the ceiling. Barry has broken out of prison and all hell is about to break loose. Written by Mary Leer