Bodies of Water

The new Moontype album, spring menswear and craft beer

Folks, what a week it’s been — thanks for being here as we ease on into Saturday. I’ve spent the past few days listening to Chicago rockers Moontype (today’s featured band and featured album, “Bodies of Water”) and I’ve kept plenty busy on the writing front despite the short week (as I talked about in my Tuesday newsletter). Speaking of Moontype, I had the chance to chat with the trio of rockers just yesterday for Merry-Go-Round Magazine! I can’t wait to share that feature, but you can also check out more via this past newsletter entry on the band. Tell all your friends, then hit Subscribe yourself! New here? Check out this primer on The Style Guide In Brief, maybe as you sip on a cold beer from Threes Brewing like the one above - more on that soon. Oh, and if you’re here because of my recent InsideHook.com feature on my pandemic obsession — the legendary Midwest rock band The Replacements! — thanks for stopping by! There’s more where that came from, I assure you of that.

In other matters of writing: Be sure to check out my work for Jacob Graye on all things men’s style, from chukka boots to sneakers and much more. One other note — I also publish daily on my style blog, The Style Guide. And if you want some weekend libations, I’ve also got you covered, both in today’s music-menswear-craft beer newsletter and through my latest whiskey feature for Maxim. For now, let’s get the weekend started the best way I know how: With some introspective indie rock, some craft beer and some accompanying gear to get you in the summer spirt.

What To Listen To Today: “Lush” By Moontype

Moontype’s “Bodies of Water” is one of my favorite rock releases of the year to date, probably because it blends so many distinct styles. It’s got a bit of garage rock going for it, it’s a bit quiet and folksy at other times (thanks to lead singer and guitarist Margaret McCarthy’s vocals), and it’s threaded through with talk of relationships and friendships and anxieties, all of which should be deeply relatable after the year we’ve all had. The trio came together thanks to Chicago’s music scene, a natural partnership given that McCarthy had already tackled songwriting on her own before drummer Emerson Hunton and guitarist Ben Cruz joined the fray.

“Lush” is one of the album’s more upbeat entries, with plenty of jangly, sharp guitar and driving drums. It’s a fine first entry to the band, although I also enjoy the hard-rocking “Ferry,” as I wrote about in this very newsletter. If you want an engaging listen to make you sit up and take notice, “Bodies of Water” is a great place to start. And as ever, it’s an album I’m hopeful I can see play out live this year (yes, this year!).

What To Shop This Weekend: Levi’s Denim Trucker Jacket

As ever, the second portion of (most) Style Guide In Brief dispatches is a style pick that ties in with the song of the day, or the band of the day, or something close enough to it. As I’ve talked about in seemingly every entry, I’m positively amped and ready to head back to a live show, and I’m thinking ever more about what I’ll be wearing when the time comes around. The simplest answer is, perhaps, that I’ll be wearing a trusty denim jacket, like this black Levi’s denim jacket. It’s got handy pockets for my everyday carry essentials, it looks great with contrasting light wash denim, and as ever, it’s got a bit of rock n’roll cool going for it. Consider it sold — do you feel the same way?

What To Sip This Weekend: Threes Brewing Kicking and Screaming Pilsner

You probably knew this one was coming, right? Just as I talked about on Tuesday — and last week on my regular blog — I’m offering up what I think is a standout way to get a discount on craft beer from Brooklyn’s Threes Brewing. It’s often a favorite weekend stop for me in person, but if you find yourself outside of NYC, you should know that Threes ships to 20-plus states, and the code BEAU10 gets you 10 percent off your first order of $50 or more. And while that might seem like a high price tag compared to your good old macro beer, trust me when I say it’s worth it: Threes Brewing makes some of the best craft beer around, and I don’t say that lightly. What is *light* though, is the incredibly crushable Threes Brewing Kicking and Screaming Pilsner, which you should assuredly sip in the summer sunlight later as you listen to Moontype.

The Final Pick: Vans Old Skool Spring Sneakers

OK, so you’ve got your black Levi’s denim jacket handy and a cold beer close at hand as you plan out your ensemble for that ever-crucial first comeback concert (seriously, I’m counting the days). Concert or not, I’m always on the hunt for stylish, lightweight kicks for hot summer days. Now, as much as I love my leather boots, sometimes, a guy’s got to wear something like the Vans Old Skool Spring Sneakers. They’re versatile (for the brewery, the park, the boardwalk and everywhere in between) and they’re highly affordable. Sounds to me like you might have found your new favorite spring sneakers.

I’m not going to guarantee that you’ll have a mighty fine weekend if you follow the picks on display today, but it can’t hurt. Do things right from the ground up with the Vans Old Skool Spring Sneakers, then add to your warm-weather wardrobe (say that five times fast) with an ever-reliable black Levi’s denim jacket. From there, it’s a matter of getting the right soundtrack — this weekend, naturally, it should be Moontype — and the right beverage (you already know my pick is some of the some of the best craft beer from Threes Brewing). Use my discount code BEAU10 as you stock up on your order ($50 or more, folks!), then set yourself on a proper course for a standout weekend. As for me, I’ve got more writing and listening to do yet today. Thanks for reading!