It’s with thoughts of letters and summer rain and indie rock — the complete opposite of this December Tuesday — that we’re kicking off today’s edition of The Style Guide In Brief, another brick in the wall as we close out 2020. Hopefully, today is anything but a slog as we approach the holidays (today’s featured song, the propulsive and sharp “She’s There” by Aussie indie rockers Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever is anything but a slog, so there’s that). If you’re still in holiday shopping mode rather than in a mood to kick back and relax with a new indie rock jam, head to my blog, The Style Guide, to check out a few of my guides to holiday gifts. For a Tuesday morning pick-me-up, you could certainly do worse than giving your a day a shot in the arm with a fast-paced indie rock number, so let’s start off this week properly with music, menswear and all the best of the rest. Hop to it!
What To Listen To This Week: “She’s There” By Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever
It’s with the guitar-driven stylings of the always-excellent Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever that I urge you to start your Monday. The band’s debut album was exceptionally well-received (and I had the pleasure of seeing them play some stellar tracks off of it at the 2019 Mad Cool Festival), so it was a welcome sign indeed when “She’s There” was released way back in March in advance of the band’s second album, “Sideways to New Italy” (so named for the region in Australia where it was recorded). It’s been one of my favorite songs of the year since then, blending fresh and hard-charging guitar with wistful lyrics and the sort of propulsive rock sound that I welcome in my Bluetooth headphones these days. If you feel the same way, you’re in for a real treat. Now, onto menswear that’ll make you think of indie rock this winter.
What To Wear This Week: Filson Field Flannel Shirt
Now, there’s no word whether the guys from Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever (what a cool name, right??) actually wear much Filson, but to me, the sort of rugged, rough-and-tumble gear made by the Pacific Northwest heritage outfitter just fits right in with the stylings of the band’s label, Seattle-based (and legendary) Sub Pop. So, the Filson Field Flannel Shirt is a welcome addition to your wardrobe as you explore the music of perhaps your new favorite band, and when the time does come to travel again, perhaps you can bring along this rugged flannel shirt as a welcome style companion. I know that’s what I plan to do.
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What To Sip This Week: Rainier American Lager via Drizly
If you check out this newsletter (every Tuesday and Saturday, folks!), you’ll know that — be it a band like The Replacements or these modern indie rockers — I say cold beer and great indie rock go hand-in-hand. How about that? It’s with a similar approach in mind that I’m recommending this much-loved, cheap and ice-cold Rainier Beer, a Seattle favorite that you’re apt to find at any venue in the city worth its salt. I enjoyed many a can when I visited Seattle in the Before Times, but the good news, you can hopefully get some of your own delivered via Drizly these days. Cheers to that, and cheers to Seattle gear and indie rock.
The Final Pick: Filson Slip-On Work Boots
Now, if you’re anything like me and live in more urban confines (a la Brooklyn), there’s one place above all else that work boots are going to come handy (aside from a brewery or a dive bar), and that’s … a rock show. A rock by the band featured today, in the After Times, and in Brooklyn (or elsewhere!). What’s a guy to wear? Well, rugged leather work boots that can take a beating, still look great and are made to do it all over again the next night. And if you find yourself in need of boots to wear to do actual work, these guys are more than up to snuff. Rock on and let’s get out there (some day!).
Who’s amped up for the week ahead? If you listen to the likes of Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, it’s hard not to get excited for what lies ahead (in my opinion, at least). With all that being said, it’ll also pay off to step out in rugged leather work boots for the winter that’s on the horizon, and of course, layering up with the Filson Field Flannel Shirt is also just the ticket. If you like what you see, feel free to subscribe or give me a follow on Twitter to talk all things rock music, beer and gear. Cheers!