How long do you think it's gonna last

A new music teaser from Big Red Machine, cold summer beer & new gear

My friends, thanks for being here for another music-menswear-craft beer edition of my twice-weekly newsletter, The Style Guide In Brief. It’s a play off my regular daily style blog, The Style Guide, as you might know if you’ve been here since I launched this newsletter just about one year ago. Music is my passion, style is my (freelance) day job, and I wash it all down with cold craft beer, as you’ll find out if you keep scrolling — and hit Subscribe. What are you waiting for?? In the meantime, you can check out my music writing at Merry-Go-Round Magazine and InsideHook. Back to the newsletter, though!

I talked on Saturday about a trio of my favorite new music releases from a jam-packed slate of indie songs, LPs and EPs to come out on Friday, including favorites by newsletter regulars Wild Pink. This week is proving just as exciting so far, but in different ways. For starters, today’s featured band is Big Red Machine, the musical side project from Justin Vernon (of Bon Iver) and Aaron Dessner (of my favorite band, The National). But this is where it gets interesting. By the time you read this, there very well might be a new Big Red Machine single out in the world, tentatively titled “How Long Do You Think It’s Gonna Last”… but for now though, there’s just the soulful and carefully composed Big Red Machine back catalog to enjoy.

So, consider today’s pick more of a heads-up to keep your eyes peeled for what these two musical visionaries might have coming down the pipeline this week. In the meantime, I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled and enjoying my last few days in Florida. Here’s to new music, a new week and new gear for summer, all wrapped into one.

What To Listen To This Week: The forthcoming new track from Big Red Machine

As I said above, this week’s new music recommendation is a bit different. As I mentioned, as of the time of this newsletter (we stick to deadlines around here, folks), there’s not a new track out from the acclaimed duo yet. But according to fan sleuths, it might feature a pretty big name when it does drop: Taylor Swift. The connection makes perfect sense once you’ve traced the clues pointing in this direction. And famously, The National’s Aaron Dessner was heavily involved in not one, but two Taylor Swift albums last year, much to the acclaim of, well, everyone. With all of that being said, keep a weather eye out for what the duo (or rather, trio) have coming up next. And while you wait for that, check out my work-from-home Spotify playlist.

What To Shop This Week: Flint and Tinder Long-Sleeve Snap Shirt

Today’s recommended style pick is a fitting one, seeing as the guys from The National — along with Justin Vernon — have always had an eclectic style all their own, be it cardigans or blazers or chambray shirts (lots and lots of chambray shirts). Well, the rugged and perfectly executed Flint and Tinder Long-Sleeve Snap Shirt seems to me like a jack-of-all-trades shirt, the kind you can wear to grab a cold beer as readily as you can wear it later on this year to check out some soulful rock music. It’s reasonably priced given the fact that it’s up for grabs at Huckberry. What goes better with the week’s new music than a new, highly durable, rock n’roll-ready shirt? I’m glad you asked.

What To Sip This Week: House Beer Grapefruit Radler via Drizly

If you’ve been reading this newsletter diligently, you recognize House Beer (they’re the featured West Coast beer in this post on California indie rockers Local Natives). It’s time to go back to the well — or perhaps, back to the keg — and pick up the House Beer Grapefruit Radler. The brewery just launched new styles of Radler beer, but you can get House Beer Grapefruit Radler right now delivered to your door via Drizly. The radler style came about as a way to blend lemon juice with beer to bolster quantities of brews for thirsty German cyclists a century ago, but I’d wager that the House Beer Grapefruit Radler is just a bit better than that (to say the least). Perfect for a hot summer day with the laidback sounds of Big Red Machine playing.

The Final Pick: Flint and Tinder Short-Sleeve Slub Henley

My summer to-do list on weekend days, and weekday happy hours, usually involves cracking open a cold beer like the House Beer Grapefruit Radler, then putting on some go-to songs, all the while wearing a piece like, well, the Flint and Tinder Short-Sleeve Slub Henley. If you’re buying beer and listening to music made with extra care than mass-marker varieties, might as well do the same with your wardrobe, and Huckberry has a knack for making men’s gear you can count on (and hey, women can even wear these pieces sized up or sized down — they’re just that cool and well-made). The next time you need a reliable summer tee, shop Flint and Tinder.

Like I said above, think of today’s newsletter like an essential weekly starter kit, and you’ll be well on your way to success (or at the very least, a few new wardrobe additions and some cold beer in your fridge). The House Beer Grapefruit Radler is a deserving brew for your happy hour rotation, and the rugged Flint and Tinder Short-Sleeve Slub Henley is the kind of T-shirt to wear all the while this summer. Your soundtrack gets a nice revamp courtesy of Big Red Machine (and potentially, Taylor Swift), too. By the time this Saturday morning newsletter rolls around, there’s likely to be even better music, gear and beer out there for the taking. I hope you’ll join me — and I hope you’ll tell all your friends! Cheers.