The wind was like a train

I could hear it in the woods from a mile away

My friends, join me in welcoming the weekend with our Saturday edition of The Style Guide In Brief, and more importantly, join me in plugging in and turning up one of the finest indie rock releases of the entire year, the brand-new “A Billion Little Lights” from Wild Pink. I’ve talked about the band in this newsletter quite a bit recently, so it only seems fitting that we ring in Saturday with more indie rock from the band (plus some related style inspiration), including the lush and layered “The Wind Was Like A Train.” It’s the lead-off track on this excellent album, and what a tune it is. Stereogum sums it up best in this piece that talks with lead singer John Ross about every song off the album, but again, it’s the lead track that’s got me buzzing. As always in this newsletter, we’ll try to hit the sweet spot between a terrific track, cool weekend menswear and — in the case of today’s entry — some of the best organic coffee. It’s all brewing up below. Tell all your friends!

What To Listen To This Weekend: “The Wind Was Like a Train” By Wild Pink

Some songs strike you right away either in title or composition, or both, and lead singer John Ross told Stereogum he knew this song would serve as a perfect opening track for this album. I agree, to say the least, and that’s what makes this track a fine song with which to start your weekend. All Wild Pink songs are carefully composed and delicately crafted, with multiple parts (including, in this case, pedal steel) coming together to form something that’s shimmering and inspired. This song is “open-ended” in its meaning, as Ross says, and to me, the title is a perfect example of that quality. The idea of the wind being like a train carrying you onward reminds me of the adage “May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back,” carrying you forward as if … riding a train. I’ll leave your own interpretation up to you, but I know this: It’s already one of my favorite songs of the year, and I can’t think of a better track with which to ease into the weekend.

What To Shop This Weekend: Hard Graft Baseball High-Tops 

For fast-moving, comfortable weekend style — for getting around town with the wind at your back, so to speak — a pair of retro-inspired high-top sneakers will never fail you. At least, that’s my take. And while the country might be undergoing a deep freeze right now, it always pays off to be prepared ahead of time for a new season — as in, a season where you’ll want to wear your high-top sneakers day in and day out (like spring, for instance!). In that case, the Hard Graft Baseball High-Tops are of stunning quality and craftsmanship, made in Italy using fine Italian suede. Think of them as the last high-top sneakers you’ll buy for some time, to say the very least. And if you pick ‘em up now, you’ll have plenty of time to generate some weekend style inspo for early spring and beyond.

Shop Hard Graft

What To Sip This Weekend: Jack Henry Organic Coffee

I’d normally recommend that you sip on some fresh craft beer or perhaps even a nice dram of whiskey for your Saturday (for later on during happy hour, that is). And yet… we’re going in a pre-happy hour direction today with Jack Henry Organic Coffee. Grind up those coffee beans, put a fresh pot on and kick back with the beautifully arranged stylings of Wild Pink as you add a fresh bag or three to your digital shopping cart. What’s so great about Jack Henry Organic Coffee, you might ask? These coffee beans are Organic Fair Trade Certified, harvested in Colombia for a distinct, medium-roast blend that should prove plenty enjoyable day in and day out. Oh, and it’s also pretty sweet that Jack Henry’s main specialty just so happens to be the best men’s grooming essentials, including Jack Henry Clay Pomade. Talk about a two-for-one (or three-for-one?) deal.

The Final Pick: Knickerbocker Mfg. Co. Chore Shirt

It’s with an homage to Wild Pink’s New York State roots that we’ll round out today’s newsletter. If you tune into my regular blog in addition to this newsletter, you’ll recognize Knickerbocker Mfg. Co.’s penchant for high-quality, craftsmanship-focused and classic menswear. The Knickerbocker Chore Shirt is one such staple piece, made by hand in NYC from herringbone cotton for durability and versatility. The chore shirt design means you can throw it on over your favorite T-shirt or an American-made henley, then team that combo with workwear trousers and some retro-inspired high-top sneakers. From there, where can you go? Well, if it were me, I’d mask up to stroll around Brooklyn, traipse through Prospect Park and then grab a cold beer on the go at Gold Star Beer Counter. Of course, one day sooner rather than later, I’m planning on wearing an #OOTD very similar to that look as we return to … yes, you guessed it, rock shows aplenty. See you at the next Wild Pink concert, yes?

How’s that for a weekend guide, my friends? Be sure to let me know what you think of the new Wild Pink record in the comments below (or on Twitter, naturally), and if you do end up picking up some delicious Jack Henry Organic Coffee, I welcome your feedback on a different kind of tasty brew. In my neck of the woods, I’ll be scheming about how to layer the Knickerbocker Chore Shirt when spring weather starts to roll back around in earnest. And if you’re anything like me, perhaps you’ve also added the Hard Graft Baseball High-Tops to your wish list. A guy can dream, right? Here’s to breezes like a train, always at your back, this weekend.