Sun in the morning

A brighter spring mood with Future Islands, new beer and more

Folks, if you’re here today, you’re part of an exclusive club. Well, somewhat exclusive. My Substack newsletter, the very one you’re reading today, just hit 100 subscribers! There’s no looking back now. Thanks for joining me as I navigate music, menswear and craft beer. Remember: Tell all your friends! There’s more fun in store, including tracks from bands like synth pop heroes Future Islands (shown above and featured in today’s newsletter, hint hint). Now, I talked in my Saturday newsletter about a year without live music (along with a throwback tune from my last concert), but there is in fact some light on the horizon.

San Francisco festival Outside Lands teased an exciting announcement just yesterday, so we’ll see what the week has in store (perhaps the addition of Future Islands to the lineup??). And on that note: We’re going to take a hopefully lighter tack today, telling you all about the best spring jacket under $100, some new spring craft beer inspired by music (yep!) and the perfect menswear from much-loved NYC menswear brand Alex Mill. We’ll top it all off with some bright and sunny tunes to put some pep in your step. After all, we’re one day out from St. Patrick’s Day, the weather should hopefully be enjoyable enough for an outdoor patio beer, and the promise of a new season awaits. Let’s get to it. But before I let you go, if you feel so inclined, you can click through to find links to the rest of my work here, from my style blog to my Instagram and plenty more.

What To Listen To This Week: “Sun In The Morning” By Future Islands

Although I talked about The Strokes over the weekend, perhaps the coolest rock band on the planet to this day, we’re taking a different approach this time out. If you want music that’s nearly the cathartic opposite of the laidback cool you get from The Strokes (which isn’t a bad thing either way, I might add!), you want the power and catharsis of Future Islands, as exemplified in a live session shown above. The Baltimore synth pop band has been a favorite of mine for years, as mentioned in past newsletter entries, with all the emotion and power you could hope to find in a band, plus plenty of genuine authenticity. The fittingly named 2014 album “Singles,” as I talked about here at The Style Guide In Brief, packs a serious punch if want uplifting, dance-worthy tunes to soundtrack your daily (masked) walks and get you in that hopeful mood for spring. “Sun In The Morning” especially fits that mood, with its reflections on an uplifting relationship. How about it? Read on for some dance-worthy sneakers to get you moving and grooving the right way.

What To Shop This Week: Vuori Clothing Ripstop Jacket

Here it is: The coveted spring jacket under $100. If you haven’t yet shopped Vuori Clothing’s blend of performance gear and everyday, casual styles that blend durability and on-the-go mobility, you’re in luck. Today is that day. Think breezy-yet-tough fabrics to repel water and keep you warm — or cool — as you navigate slippery city streets and trails this spring. As for me, I’ve been testing out the rugged Vuori Ripstop Jacket, a hybrid between a shirt and, well, a jacket, and loving it on breezy spring days. It’s a piece I could see working on a road trip (note the handy waist and chest button pockets), and it’s absolutely the kind of jacket I’ll be wearing to Brooklyn’s outdoor breweries this spring. And yes, I’ll have plenty of time to test it out see if it’s a stylish festival jacket for that much-anticipated return of live music and my next live show by Future Islands. Are you with me on that?

Shop Vuori Clothing

What To Sip This Week: Springdale Be The Beacon Beer

In the spirit of blending two of my passions, music and craft beer, in the most direct, distinct and innovative way possible, Massachusetts-based Springdale Beer Co. keeps rolling out some seriously cool beers in its musically inspired Hazy IPA series! How cool is that? I’ve had the good fortune to test out the Be The Beacon Hazy IPA, a hopefully named beer inspired by British rocker Frank Turner’s tune “Be More Kind.” The track itself is also part of a playlist the Springdale team is putting together that offers insight into the songs that inspire the beers they’re brewing for this year’s series. It’s one of the coolest takes on craft beer that I’ve seen in some time, with more to come. Make sure you’re plugged in, following Springdale Beer Co. and getting these beers delivered via Drizly. On that note: Cheers to St. Patrick’s Day tomorrow!

The Final Pick: Novesta Classic High-Top Sneakers from Alex Mill

Alright, folks. We’ve talked about craft beer inspired by music, we’ve talked about a stylish festival jacket and it’s now time to put on your dancing shoes (or rather, your new favorite sneakers) in the spirit of Future Islands and lead singer Sam Herring. Sam does an incredible job of filling up the stage and reaching out to an audience, quite literally (as I’ve written about here before!), and it’s always such a pleasure to see this band live. If you walk away from the show without your shirt drenched in sweat, you’re doing it wrong (IMHO!). So, the Novesta Classic High-Top Sneakers from much-loved NYC menswear brand Alex Mill are the perfect pair of kicks to have on your feet for spring strolls, spring beers and of course, future shows by Future Islands — see what I did there? Of course you did.

So, that’s what we’re all about today at The Style Guide In Brief. Lace up those Novesta Classic High-Top Sneakers and let’s ring in spring the best way we know how (or at least, the best way I know how). That means a fresh can of Springdale Be The Beacon Beer , some layering with the Vuori Ripstop Jacket for breezy days ahead, and naturally, the right music via much-loved Future Islands. If you check those boxes off today or in the week ahead, you’re in pretty good shape. One final reminder! You can check out links to the rest of my work here, from my blog to my other style writing and my Instagram. Cheers, my friends!