Pigeon Post: A Clown That Sprinkles Funny Poop on Journalist's Work

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: The Greatest Band In NYC

Matt Connolly(Left) and Will O'Connor(Right) enjoying the sun in the grass

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

A Day in the Life with a College Influencer, Model, and Actress: 47Media

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!