Arm's length, shoulders wide

The sound of... spring?

If you’re just joining us here at The Style Guide In Brief — a music-menswear-craft beer newsletter delivered to you twice-weekly from Brooklyn — come on in, belly up to the bar and stay a while. I’ve got your weekend guide coming right up, with the spirit of spring in mind. In my last newsletter, we took a similar approach, talking about some enlightening seasonal tunes from Future Islands, plus the optimism a new season brings. And lo and behold, that’s the tack we’re taking today, as today’s featured song from Saint Paul indie rock-pop band Hippo Campus is quite literally called “Warm Glow.” Believe you me, that refrain “arm’s length, shoulders wide” is an enjoyable one to belt out at a festival (Bonnaroo 2019, anyone?) or hum along as you hang out on the couch, coffee or craft beer in hand. Of course, we’ll throw in some shopping picks to make the day a little more enjoyable, too. It’s all coming together, slowly but surely, for spring. Oh, and to check out my other work — my portfolio, my Instagram, my regular style blog — check out my Linktree. Cheers!

What To Listen To This Weekend: “warm glow” by Hippo Campus

I’ve been pretty fortunate (no, very fortunate) over the years here in NYC to see some stunning and soul-stirring live shows. Two that have stuck with me for a good long while were both by Hippo Campus (one at the immaculate Brooklyn Steel in February 2018, the other at classic Manhattan venue Irving Plaza just about four years ago to the day). Both times, the crowd was shoulder-to-shoulder, the energy was palpable and the lads from Hippo Campus put on a heck of a live show. In fact, both times out were shows that played nearly identical to tracks in the studio from the band’s debut album, “Landmark” (released right before I saw them the first time). Seriously, they sounded that great.

This song comes from a 2017 self-produced EP, but it’s one of my favorites by the band. The refrain, as sung by the crowd at those two shows, was something to behold (and lead singer Jake Luppen did a nice job in his own right, too). The song itself is warm and rich, and it immediately reminds me of those two live shows, plus a sunny Saturday afternoon at Bonnaroo. Most importantly, it gives me hope for a new season and hope that we’ll get there again.

What To Shop This Weekend: Alex Mill Field Jacket in Japanese Canvas

I talk pretty often in this newsletter and at my style blog, The Style Guide, about the importance of the right gear for the right occasion. To me, this has always been on display, front and center, as I tool around Brooklyn before concerts. Throw in a brewery visit, some afternoon coffee, another brewery visit before the show itself… and you’re going to need a jacket that can stand up to all of those pursuits while holding your ear plugs, your phone charger … you get the drill. Even in my day-to-day this spring, I’d anticipate this rugged canvas field jacket would come in mighty handy for hauling my everyday carry essentials (and perhaps a back-up face mask). In fact, I long for the day when I can set out to an evening show wearing this jacket and looking forward to, say, some live tracks from Hippo Campus (cold beer included).

Shop Alex Mill

What To Sip This Weekend: Sixpoint Bengali via Drizly

Coming to you live from Brooklyn, it’s the famed and underrated Sixpoint Brewery out of Gowanus here in Brooklyn. The recipe for weekend success, for me, looks a little something like this: Indie rock + craft beer + menswear, rolled into one and served cold right out of the can. At least, that’s how I’m suggesting you enjoy this bold and yet easily drinkable IPA, the kind I’ve found myself sipping on at my favorite music venues across the borough (as I said, I know we’ll get there again someday). While live shows are off the table, I do indeed plan to stop by Sixpoint’s outdoor beer garden for a safe brew or two — and very soon, at that. As to this beer itself, it’s sometimes tough to come by outside of NYC, but you can always get your other favorite beers delivered to you via Drizly in no time at all.

The Final Pick: J. Crew Court Sneakers in Leather

My other recent newsletter entries have also talked about some of the best footwear for spring, so I figured it’d be a fitting way to end this entry today. As it were, the J. Crew Court Sneakers in Leather are darn near some of the coolest sneakers I’ve seen in some time. They pack in all the comfort and quality you’d expect from J. Crew, and it’s pretty fitting to me that the English Tan leather would work quite well with other spring style staples (think your favorite pair of blue jeans or tapered olive chinos). And you likely already know what I’m going to say next: Keep these sneakers close at hand and break them in accordingly, and before you know it, you’ll be lacing ‘em up to wear to a live show once more. Again, here’s hoping.

If I’ve said it once, I’ve it a thousand times (OK, not quite, but you get the picture). If you follow just these steps for a weekend guide, be it buying the J. Crew Court Sneakers in Leather or securing some Sixpoint Bengali, you’re going to be primed for a relaxing and ever-stylish spring weekend. With the right soundtrack to match, there’s optimism on the horizon — at least, that’s how I feel on this Friday night as I wrap up this post. A reminder: You can check out my daily style blog, well, every single day for more menswear for the season ahead.