Faith healer
Folks, it’s with a fitting fall theme that we’re back with another edition of The Style Guide In Brief, and a fitting fall tune from an artist I always enjoy when the leaves change and a brisk breeze picks up. I’m talking about the introspective-yet-surprisingly upbeat song “Faith Healer” from virtuoso singer-songwriter Julien Baker, the kind of track you’ll want to enjoy on a Saturday morning as you sip coffee and shop for the best seasonal style picks (there are plenty of those to be had over at my regular blog, The Style Guide, as well!). If you’re new here today, welcome — if you subscribe below, you’ll get two free weekly dispatches on music, menswear, coffee, craft beer and more delivered right to your inbox, all with a similar seasonal theme throughout. It’ll be fun! I guarantee it. And again, it’s all free. A pretty great deal, no? With that business out of the way, let’s get the weekend rolling.
What To Listen To This Weekend: “Faith Healer” By Julien Baker"
Julien Baker’s been delivering some of the most quietly introspective songs in the indie rock game for the past handful of years, starting with her heartwrenching debut “Sprained Ankle” and carrying through to her most recent full-length effort, “Turn Out The Lights,” yet another stunning album that’ll make you rethink, well, a heck of a lot about your life. Quiet and yet at times an incredibly cathar,tic yell-along (yep!), it’s a beautiful record. She’s also a third of the phenomenal trio boygenius, alongside fellow indie rock stars Lucy Dacus and Phoebe Bridgers — I’d say every song of Julien’s is absolutely worth a listen.
Armed with only a guitar, a loop pedal and a piano, Julien brings crowds to hushed reverence (as I experienced when I saw her in front of a small crowd at Brooklyn’s Rough Trade in October 2017!), so her new track “Faith Healer” — off her forthcoming album “Little Oblivions,” due out next February — is a change of pace. It’s more layered and lush, yet still gut-wrenching and deeply sad as she sings of her past struggles with substance abuse (she also discussed this in a great GQ.com feature interview). It’s at times like these, as fall weather hits, that I’m drawn to contemplative, deeply meaningful rock music like this, seeing as it pairs so well with Prospect Park strolls and crisp fall air. To top it all off, I usually make sure I’m dressed for the occasion, of course. With my fall walking soundtrack complete (thanks, Julien!), here’s what I’ll be coveting on the style front this weekend.
What To Wear This Weekend: Filson Vintage Flannel Workshirt
As I so often talk about in this newsletter, I’m all about blending your passions into one, be it the right flannel shirt to wear to listen to Julien Baker, or the accompanying coffee I’ll be sipping this weekend. And if I had the chance to see Julien play live anytime soon, I’d opt for a perfectly rugged fall layer like the Filson Vintage Flannel Workshirt. It’s the kind of classic piece that’s got a bit of old-school indie rock edge (The Replacements famously wore a lot of flannel, after all!), and it' just strikes me as the right type of flannel shirt for fall these days. Until I can get back to a soulful, meaningful rock show, I’ll just have to stock up on the gear that counts. How about you?
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What To Sip This Weekend: Huckleberry Roasters Phantom Limb Coffee Blend
It’s with a fitting indie rock name in mind (a la The Shins’ song of the same name) that I selected this energizing and high-quality coffee to power your weekend (as sold via Huckberry). Huckleberry Roasters has been featured in this newsletter before, and with good reason, seeing as they make some of the best everyday coffee you can get your hands on. You’ve got to love the bright and colorful packaging, and it goes along with what should surely be some high-quality java contained therein. Put on a pot and start playing some Julien Baker on your favorite Bluetooth speaker.
The Final Pick: FRYE Greyson Lace-Up Boots
Let’s close things out the only way I know how: With a recommendation for some of the best men’s boots you can buy for fall, and a pair of boots that would certainly work to wear to a rock show (next year!) or to a day hike (right now!). I’m often lacing up my own pair of rugged leather boots to hit the road, whether it’s seeing Julien Baker at Brooklyn Steel or grabbing some Huckleberry Roasters coffee, so it all ties together … right? And FRYE men’s boots are unprecedented in terms of quality, style, durability and classic looks. You’ll have these boots for years, no doubt about it.
Ready for the weekend in earnest now? I know I certainly am, and I can’t wait to get out there and enjoy some Brooklyn fall weather. Of course, as most of these posts conclude, you know what I’ll be listening to (Faith Healer” By Julien Baker) and I’d wager you know where I’ll be getting my fall weekend style inspiration from: The always-excellent FRYE Greyson Lace-Up Boots and naturally, the Filson Vintage Flannel Workshirt . If these picks strike your fancy in a similar way, be sure to give me a follow on Twitter or Instagram so we can talk shop, and I welcome any and all comments below! Have a great weekend, stay safe and thanks for being here.