Band of the Week: River Whyless

Fittingly hailing from Asheville, North Carolina,  - which I recently visited for the first time - River Whyless' music is a reflection of the surrounding countryside. The winding, tumbling rivers and the mountains shrouded in fog come out in their melodies, rhythms and lyrics like Maypops in springtime. While accessible and pleasant to listen to I do find some of their music, and lyrics specifically, unimaginative (generic?) and choices of words less than riveting. Don't let one observation take away from their gifted musicianship though and the overall idea of what is their sound. Like any great band knows, songwriting grows and evolves.

Essentials: Hats Made in the USA

Carhartt Knit Hat

Versatile enough to wear on a Nashville Street corner or in your pickup truck to pick up a load of hay, this Made in the USA knit cap by Carhartt will keep your head warm all through our relatively mild Southern winters, and into a blackberry winter should the temperatures decide to drop once more in late March or early April.

This cap will go great with your coveralls, your hoodie, or a flannel and Wrangler's.


Tweed Ivy Cap

Classic style at its most classic. This flat cap style dates back to the 1400s and is referred to a bunnet in Scotland. With the resurgence of gentlemanly attire in places other than London and urban cores a fellow can pull this off at most any locale, except perhaps a rodeo or formal event.

A sport coat and scarf of similar color will suit you best when covering your head with this refined, yet relaxed head-piece.


Trapper Hat

Originating in Scandinavia, Russian and Germany - the trapper hat, or Ushanka - as it's called in Russia - was historically made of sheepskin and rabbit or muskrat fur. Things have changed considerably since then and with the advent of plastics they are often made completely of nylon. Regardless of how they're now made, they are about as warm of a hat as one will find. And, stylistically speaking, quite versatile as well. Trekking through the Blue Ridge mountains in January in search of wild game to roast over a fire you say? This hat is mandatory to keep out the head cold that will surely come after the Smokey Mountain winds whip against your face for a while.


Pork Pie 

Bearing a superficial resemblance to a pork pie and originating in the early 1800s, the pork pie hat has been donned by celebrities such form Bryan Cranston to Colin Farrell. Quite versatile, one can wear it with a white-beater shirt (like the picture above), a blazer on Saturday night or a pea-coat over a button-down. Always keep in mind though that you'll have to take it off to drain the brim should you decide to sport it on a rainy day.


Stormy Kromer

Born in the Upper-Midwest wear it is most popular, the Stormy Kromer was invented by a train engineer, and former semi-professional baseball player, who commissioned his wife to design and make a hat that would stay on his head better and not get blown off by the wind so easily.

Also quite versatile, this head gear works just as well fly-fishing in a north Georgia trout stream as it does sauntering about on a cool winter night in Savannah.

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Band of the Week: Surfer Blood

Hailing from South Florida and playing the Earl this Saturday, January 3rd, presumingly to prime the general public for their upcoming 3rd full-length release in 2015, Surfer Blood's music is a dreamy kind of surf rock that you feel completely comfortable listening to on dreary winter days. Baby-faced lead singer John Paul Pitts' buttery smooth wistful vocals blend seamlessly with the often melancholy, Smiths like mood the band tends to project.