You only live once

A year without live music -- and much more

Mar 13, 2021

I don’t doubt that if you’ve tuned into the news or kept up with the goings-on through social media this week, things have been all about one year of pandemic life and loss. It’s been at the forefront of my mind, and if you read this newsletter or my regular style blog, you know that I really can’t overstate how much I’ve been missing live music (and regular travel, and so many of my family and friends) across the past 365-plus days. It’s not just one thing — it’s a collective grouping of so many things that have shifted our day-to-day in ways that I’m not sure we’ve all fully processed yet. One date in my mind stuck out earlier this week — March 9th, the date of my last concert (by the one and only, The Strokes — they’re at the top of the page looking ever-so-cool). It might seem rather frivolous to mourn that date, but it’s done a number on me, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. To go from seeing a show a week to having a year without shows… that’s a sea change. That being said, I’m so grateful for the memories, seeing as the trip was a birthday gift to myself.

The main attraction, of course, was a ticket to see aforementioned NYC rock legends The Strokes play in Seattle (today’s headline and featured song comes courtesy of them, as you might have guessed), and I’m ever so glad I went. That’s an understatement, especially knowing what we know now, and how decimated the live music and entertainment industries have been across this past year. Things aren’t quite close to being the same as far as the return of live shows is concerned, so for now, I've got the memories of my favorite shows (my last pre-pandemic show very much included!) to keep me going. Join me on a trip down memory lane and get your headphones at the ready for a rockin’ start to the weekend.

What To Listen To This Weekend: “You Only Live Once” By The Strokes

You don’t need me to tell you this song is a stone-cold classic, do you? The kind of song to put some weekend pep in your step and make you wish you could sing or play the guitar, right? The Strokes are a band that needs no introduction, and as I’ve written about before in this newsletter, they’re as iconic as it gets — to this day, no matter what. That’s why I’m so thankful I was able to see them as my last pre-pandemic concert, a show I’ve thought about far more often than I care to admit. The song is vintage Strokes, with a zany music video to match.

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When I hear this song, I think of the raucous crowd singing the guitar parts (yes, the guitar parts themselves!), and I think of how The Strokes themselves are still adding to their legacy (especially with the release of last year’s extremely prescient “The New Abnormal”). This song stands on its own as a Strokes classic 15 years on, and any time you want to set yourself on the course for some weekend fun — even if that just means spinning records at home rather than catching a live show — you can’t go wrong with Julian Casablancas and co.

What To Shop This Weekend: Eddie Bauer Ultrasoft Thermal Henley

The best thing about Eddie Bauer menswear and gear is the proper blend of utility and heritage that you’re getting. It’s more than just gear to take you from point A to point B, and it’s more than just gear that looks cool — it’s all of those things, and then some. That’s one of the things I love about this rugged thermal henley from Eddie Bauer (did I mention it’s only $20?). It’s the kind of henley I’ve thrown on at a moment’s notice to run errands around the borough, yet it’s also highly useful as a layering piece alongside a waxed trucker jacket or beneath a flannel shirt. Of course, a henley is also a casual style staple at rock shows aplenty. It’s like the casual style version of something that’s more than meets the eye, if you will, because I could even see myself wearing this underneath a lightweight navy blazer or with a black leather moto jacket. See? It’s so much more than a standard T-shirt.

It’s kind of like how music is never really just about a song, is it? It’s about the live show, it’s about the emotion and energy, it’s about the experience, it’s about there being more than meets the eye. Still with me? Who’s thirsty for a cold beer after all that adventure with your thermal henley layered up?

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What To Sip This Weekend: Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Black IPA

I’ve been lucky enough to have some pretty excellent beer these past few weeks, what with plenty of time spent imbibing local brews down in Florida (as seen on my Instagram), but this beer was waiting for me in my fridge on my return to New York. That made it all the much more enjoyable as I unpacked and sorted through mail, and I even took the time to kick back and really savor this truly excellent and seriously unique Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Black IPA. It’s not every single day that you’re going to find a Black IPA on the shelves, and it’s a nice way to toe the line between winter and spring. This style also seems to me like it’s making a comeback of sorts. Get it delivered via Drizly and enjoy the weekend, fresh beer in hand and a new soundtrack in the background.

The Final Pick: SeaVees Legend Sneakers via UNCRATE

Let’s close things out on a high note in the spirit of a return to spring style, shall we? Along with revisiting old favorite tracks and enjoying new beer like the excellent Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Black IPA, I’ve been slowly but surely switching out my rugged winter boots for lightweight spring style classics, like the timeless SeaVees Legend Sneakers. They’re a sign of warmer weather to come as they sit on top of my wooden shoe storage rack, reminding me that better days are ahead. And on top of that, they’re just about as classic a pair of men’s sneakers as you’re apt to find. If I could go to an outdoor music festival this summer, these are the kind of sneakers I’d be wearing. How about you?

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