I found this on Google. Don’t ask me where it came from.

This is supposedly a music blog, but I just got back from the Walkmen show and I want to talk about FASHIN!

First of all, I have noticed a new breed of hipster lately. Burlington is currently in the throes of Brooklynification, as that borough has reached terminal hipster velocity and must now extend, tentacle-like, to even tiny burgs like our own.

Interestingly, Brooklyn itself is undergoing a bit of a makeover, largely due to the influence of so-called “freak-folk” artists (and Williamsburg colonists) such as Devendra Banhart. The indie-rock cognoscenti’s lock-step fashion sensibility has lately been infiltrated by a not-so-subtle hippie aesthetic. That’s right, kids — you can finally feel free to sport a clam-digger’s beard with those pegged pants of yours.

This confluence of stylistic influences has resulted in a curious hipster polyglot that I’ve yet to come up with a name for. (I have invented a new genre of music, however — it’s called “Yap.” But more on that later). These curious creatures can even be seen in the Queen City. Apologies to Tanner and his crew, but some of you guys are totally perfect examples.

Now that actual hippies see more rockers sporting beards, they feel less intimidated about checking out these mysterious concerts. And who can blame ‘em for expanding their repertoire? So what if they’ll be at the Umphrey’s McGee show tomorrow night. Today’s the day for downstrummed, ahem, angular guitars and faux-boho crooning!

Speaking of guitars, the Walkmen’s auxiliary six-stringer looked sharp in a nice Banana Republic sweater and a wide collared shirt. I almost called him a bitch, ’cause I he was wearing nearly the same thing I was. He has no beard. But he does enjoy a nice downstroke now and again.

Oh, and here’s a new fashion rule: You can have your hoodie. You can have your beard. You can even have your baseball cap. But you MAY NOT, under any circumstances, have all three at the same time — especially if you’re inclined to pull the hoodie over the cap. What is that all about? Are you trying to keep your hat warm?

I understand this post may create a stir among some of my furry-faced friends, so I must insist: I mean no disrespect. I love beards, really, I do! Hell, our 16th president had one, and he was a great emancipator. And let’s not forget about ZZ Top — they had one sweet ride.

So don’t get all follicle crazed on me, aight? I’d grow a beard if I could. My cats won’t let me. They say it scratches their tummies.

Casey Rea was the Seven Days music editor from 2004 until 2007. He won the 2005 John D. Donoghue award for arts criticism from the Vermont Press Association.

21 replies on “Fashion!”

  1. Cooley: “I used to have a funny goatee, and those are way lame.”From a couple of responses ago.Jesus, you guys are soooo SERIOUS. I already said I fuckin’ love beards. I hope you don’t deconstruct other jokes this much.Here’s a new genre for yez: Desk Metal!

  2. Everyone I ever encountered in Williamsburg seemed nice and alright to me except for one guy who I’m sure is the same asshole wherever he is.I don’t know what you’re going on about, Casey. I’m sure there’s some pics of you somewhere rockin’ the metal beard all those years ago. Or was it a goatee? That’s even worse! Another style of music associated with beards (was it Lemmy? King Diamond? Kim Thayil?). I’m more interested in all the speed metal guys going laptop than Hippie Johnny getting all senstive so he can bang Indie Susie.

  3. Now I’m never going to be able to get that damn Micahel Jackson song out my head. “Too high to get over, yeah, yeah. Too low to get under, yeah, yeah. You’re a vegetable.” Help! I am bemused by the whole scene thing. I do feel like Burlington has scenes, but who cares? I have yet to live in a place without scenes. In Asheville, NC, the young folks were into hillbilly hip, all sporting ironic beards and overalls. And I don’t have anything against beards, as a mater of fact, I own a copy of “Beards, Beards, Beards.” Also, the last couple of times I was in Williamsburg, the folks seemed to have loosened up a bit, perhaps getting a bit older and mellower as GD suggests. Not to spark a customer service controversy, but I would even say some storekeeps were much friendlier in Williamsburg than some of the people at a large local co-op in town.

  4. Mr. Cleary: I never said that the hat-hood-beard thing was “freak-folk.” It was merely an aside. I agree with you totally, however.Mr. Davis: You undoubtedly have the best beard in town. If beards were beers, you’d be Budweiser, ‘cuz they’re the kings. I used to have a funny goatee, and those are way lame.As far as the Brooklynification goes, whatevs. It’s satire, dammit. Perhaps not very good satire, but satire nonetheless.Not everyone here is nice. But that’s ’cause they’re unhappy with themselves. Maybe because they can’t grow a beard!

  5. i think some billyburg hipsters are finally getting a little older and realizing that brooklyn/wiliamsburg is lame and they need to get out of there to quieter smaller places that have a better sense of community & friendship and alot less focus on scene and social circles. i think burlington is in no danger of becoming brooklyn-ized. people are just too friendly and open here. its great. plus its too small of a town to have scenes. itd be like ‘hey im in the laptop folk scene, there are 2 of us, wanna be startin somethin?’ also beards are rad and im lazy and dont like shaving. ive had a beard since i could grow one (maybe 1993?).and im also a member of the national beard registry. google it!i do agree that this stylized faux hippie aesthetic is creeping into fashion. but i like to see people let their freak flag fly. typical indie rockers/hipsters always seemed too uptight and stiff and intellectual to me. so grow your beards. grow your hair. wear your beads. wear your tie-dyes man. ring your bells. i dig it. do what you gotta do…..

  6. Dude, the beard/hat/hoodie thing isn’t so much freak-folk as it is part of the new quasi-hipster jamband/snowboard thing. Don’t forget though, those people could be Flaming Lips fans, thanks to Relix Magazine, so there’s your indie rock tie.

  7. Wow. “What’s the indie scene?” That’s like a Zen koan or something. Thank you Tanner, for your awareness of internet culture. I expect, nay DEMAND, no less from you.I lieke girels withh tite paents, tu. But nno beerds.

  8. i’m not really in the indie scene but whenever some one asks me ‘whats the indie scene’ i say its like a hippy and a punk had a baby.

  10. i lieke boise withh beerds and paents that ar tite but a litel luse becuze thae never wahshh them. but ue allreddy new that becuze ie amm paert uv “tanner’s crew”.rock it!

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