How do you bear the full weight?

"Phoenix" by Big Red Machine & some summer weekend suggestions

Folks, if you’ve been following me on Instagram or Twitter, or if you came across my music-menswear-spirits newsletter by some other eans, you very well might be able to plot the course of today’s newsletter. It’s the start of a pretty momentous weekend (I’m still in Michigan for a wedding with friends, after all), and things got off to a rip-roaring start yesterday. For my first MTV.com story, I had the chance of a lifetime, really, to write about the new indie folk album “How Long Do You Think It’s Gonna Last?” by Big Red Machine, the duo that is Aaron Dessner of The National and Justin Vernon of Bon Iver (there’s Big Red Machine at the top of the page!). The National are, of course, a frequent subject of my newsletter and more importantly, my favorite band, and Big Red Machine belongs in that same rarified air as the legendary Ohio indie band.

Aaron Dessner is a musical genius who’s pulled out all the stops here along with so many talented collaborators, and he was a delight to interview via Zoom for this feature! Hopefully, you’re up to speed on the jam-packed new album, which features appearances from Taylor Swift (yes, Taylor Swift!), not to mention indie stars like Robin Pecknold of Fleet Foxes and Sharon Van Etten. We’ll get into it all in a second, including my favorite song off the album yet (that’d be “Phoenix,” which has an incredible story behind it involving a chance meeting between Pecknold and Vernon). It was a true joy to write and work on this feature, because the album itself is deeply poignant and beautiful.

There’s plenty more to unpack in this weekend newsletter, so scroll away and be sure your Bluetooth speaker or headphones are ready to go. If you could still use something else to read, keep up with the rest of my writing work here or at my aptly named daily style blog, The Style Guide. For now, let’s start up the Big Red Machine, shall we?

What To Listen To This Weekend: “Phoenix” By Big Red Machine

Truly, my weekend recommendation really involves steering you towards the entirety of the expansive, carefully composed and engaging album “How Long Do You Think It’s Gonna Last?” but for now, I’ll stick with one song in particular that’s really struck a chord with me. Whether evoking pastoral vibes like The Band in the studio or performed in stunning fashion on late-night television, “Phoenix” is a true gem, and that’s an understatement. The origins of this stunning, rich and warm song date back to a show in Phoenix that Robin Pecknold and Justin Vernon played together. Pecknold himself told me for MTV News that the song was inspired by a backstage meeting where Pecknold and Vernon crossed paths and chatted about navigating the music industry (“How do you bear the full weight?/How does the long way feel?” is a pretty apt description of the pressures that can accompany a rise to indie stardom like Vernon’s). It’s an evocative, emotional song that fits in remarkably well with the rest of the album, which is equally stunning in its depth and reach. I can’t recommend it enough! And as per tradition, I really do hope to see it played live some day, and when the time comes, I’ll be dressed accordingly. That leads me to my next pick…

What To Shop This Weekend: Flint and Tinder Waxed Trucker Jacket

As I write about often in this newsletter and especially in my daily style blog, I’m all about being prepared properly for the situation at hand. You probably know what’s coming next, right? If the situation at hand is a trek to the subway and a trip into Manhattan to see Big Red Machine play live in the midst of chilly fall weather (as I did in 2018, and as I hope to do again someday), then dressing for the elements is key. Enter the rugged and perfectly executed Flint and Tinder Waxed Trucker Jacket, which I think also works very well for upstate trips to the kind of remote locales that call to mind the Americana-esque music of Big Red Machine. You see? It all ties together, even better than you might expect. Stock up accordingly alongside your (new) favorite soundtrack.

What To Sip This Weekend: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Bourbon

What does Woodford Reserve bourbon — now available for delivery via Drizly! — have to do with indie folk and waxed trucker jackets? Quite a lot, really. When I’m listening to music that’s got the complexity and depth of Big Red Machine, I like to sit back and take my time, and I’m often sipping on, say, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Bourbon. Aside from that, chilly fall weather will be here before you know it, hence the need to restock your bar cart with a fine and relatively affordable, yet high-quality, bourbon. And if you need yet another reason, well, it’s Saturday, after all. Cheers!

The Final Pick: Wolverine 1000 Mile Original Boots

Let’s bring it all together here, again per tradition in this newsletter. On your weekend to-do list, you’ve got some optimal late summer strolling and listening, perhaps, outfitted accordingly wearing the… yes, you guessed it, the Wolverine 1000 Mile Original Boots. I talk often about how some things just pair ever-so-well together, like the fittingly introspective music of Big Red Machine (which finds its roots in upstate New York at Aaron Dessner’s woodsy studio), plus rugged leather boots fit for fall getaways. Still with me on that? Regardless, if you need new boots ahead of fall, the Wolverine 1000 Mile Original Boots are more than serviceable.

I’d say that weekend guide should have you set pretty well for the days and nights ahead, yes? If I could pick out just one recommendation to guide you forward this season, I’d stress that the new Big Red Machine album, and especially “Phoenix” By Big Red Machine, is the right way to soundtrack any late summer and early fall pursuits. What do you think? Let’s chat in the comments — and thanks for reading!