MAY GUNK is for lovers

SPV's mayoral slate debut x SHOWS

happy may <3 we feel so lucky to kick off this month of warmth and cool breezes with a huge line up of great shows to catch in NYC. alongside that, we have quite a jam packed issue of cool features this month. we are thrilled to be able to be the platform that Soft Power Vote is utilizing for the announcement of their mayoral slate for the NYC upcoming election. take a peek below to who they (and we) think are worthwhile candidates to get Adams out of here. In June, SPV will rank these candidates.

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SOFT POWER VOTE’S NYC MAYORAL SLATE

By Melissa Saenz Gordon and Molly Salas

NYC! We have the opportunity to re-shape our city this year because it’s a MUNICIPAL ELECTION year, meaning we’re voting on the most local of city government from City Council to, yes, the Mayor. But there’s SO MUCH MORE on the ballot and at stake this June 24th! And in this current era of authoritarianism, dictatorship-vibes coming from 1600 Pennsylvania, building local power is going to be more important than ever. Which mayoral candidate can stand up to the president who has already stolen money from NYC, continues to bully NYC’s Sanctuary City status, while gutting programs that will impact millions of New Yorkers? But this didn’t start with Trump: coming off of four years of Mayor Eric Adams, New York City deserves a mayor who will put New Yorkers first, instead of the Corrupt Indicted Cop Mayor we’ve had who cuts library and park budgets to fund cop robots. Each of the candidates below have a vision for the city. 

Ranked Choice Voting is back!

RCV only applies to the June Primary and not the November General Election (confusing), but that means we can rank up to FIVE candidates for mayor (and other city races)! It will be important to leverage all five slots to make sure Andrew Cuomo does not win. You can’t list the same person five times, so think about who you “could live with” as mayor outside of your favorite. NYC, baby! Best city in the world!

Soft Power Vote is excited to announce a slate of candidates running for the Democratic nomination who we’re ranking for Mayor—all of whom we believe are capable to run this city, especially when compared to a sexual predator and inept leader like Cuomo (and fraudulent current Mayor who skipped the Primary process by opting to run as an independent). Stay tuned for Gunk’s June issue, where Soft Power Vote will RANK the five candidates listed below, but for now, get to know this crew. For more info on these folks and Ranked Choice Voting, be sure to follow @SoftPowerVote on IG. 

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Soft Power Vote’s Mayoral Slate

This is not a ranking, but folks we’re considering for Mayor of NYC! Stay tuned for the June issue of Gunk where we’ll rank these five!

Zohran Mamdani

Currently: State Assemblymember in Astoria/LIC, QNS

Vibe Check: The Democratic Socialist candidate running on making NY affordable for all (Rent Freeze! Free buses!). Past: short stint as a rapper (search: Mr. Cardamom)!

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Brad Lander

Currently: NYC Comptroller

Vibe Check: NYC’s money watchdog, knows how the city works and how to push back on Adams’ corruption (and probably Trump’s). Past: NYC City Councilmember.

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Adrienne Adams (not related to Eric!)

Currently: Speaker of the City Council, repping Jamaica & Ozone Park

Vibe Check: A platform that includes guaranteed basic income and funding early childhood education. Used her power as Speaker to check the Mayor. 

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Jessica Ramos

Currently: State Senator in Jackson Heights, East Elmhurst, Corona, Forest Hills 

Vibe Check: Advocate for workers’ & immigrants’ rights, universal childcare. Past: Comms Adviser & head of Latino Media in the de Blasio admin. Born and raised Queens girl and single mother of two kids.

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Zellnor Myrie

Currently: State Senator in Crown Heights & Prospect Lefferts Gardens

Vibe Check: Former lawyer who’s passed legislation expanding voter rights and focused on criminal justice reform.

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What’s is on the ballot on June 24th:

• Mayor

• Borough President

• City Comptroller

• Public Advocate

• City Council

• Delegate to Judicial Convention

• Alternate Delegate to Judicial Convention

• District Attorney

• District Leader

• Judge of the Civil Court

• Surrogate Court Judge

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may shows may shows may shows

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updated editor playlist featuring a bunch of sick bands we met while on tour with our favorite band ever, villagerrr.

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ˋ°•*⁀➷ GUNK CLASSIFIEDSˋ°•*⁀➷

is your band (or solo act) looking to connect with other bands or performers to put together a bill for an upcoming show? send GUNK a little intro to your music (no links sorry) including an email address for a reply and we’ll publish the listings!

—> thegunkyard@gmail.com **if you’d rather your email address not listed let us know and we can get you in touch with interested parties**

Aesop's Sound Fables is seeking submission for our zine. We're looking for writing or visual art around the theme of, "Weird Art, Good People." The zine will be printed in black and white. 

We're also looking for poets and other writers interested in reading as part of our Soup Dinner series of apartment shows.  You can email submissions to aesopssoundfables@gmail.com.

Hey community - we're a jangly melodic indie band called Charm Bracelet! After our Craigslist meetcute and a wintery songwriting season, we're keen to make friends and book shows with other bands looking for the same! If down to clown, please reach us at charmbraceletnyc@gmail.com <33

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thanks so much for supporting GUNK for nearly 2 years! as we get closer to our second birthday, we have a lot of exciting updates in the works. remember, you can become a paid subscriber (just $10 a month) and even choose to get GUNK mailed to you (just email us your address if you are already a paid sub!).

soon, we are launching some new exclusive content on our substack that will be available to paid subscribers only (but always still in print…..for free if you find it in the wild).

much love and get to the gig

xx

Hannah and Ceci