Getting To Know Us A Little Better | Russ Erwin, with GANT

Russ Wears - Oxford Shirt + Selvedge Jeans c/o GANT | Realm & Empire Jacket | Desert Boots | Victorninox Watch

Over the next few months we aim to bring a more personal series to the blog. We share the things we love, and have always prided Buckets & Spades on having both a personal and relatable feel. But we also try to think bigger and share subjects which may reach a wider audience. But how well do you really know the people behind the blog?

Currently there's myself (click here to get to know me better), Nik, Hollie, Yasumi + Russ, all doing our bit to make this thing run smoothly. In partnership with GANT, and their new Never Stop Learning campaign, I followed my mate Russ Erwin (who you may remember from shoots with New Look Men + Kickers) around for a day; exploring his daily routine as a musician, his influences, and love of fitness and style.

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Buckets & Spades - When did you start playing the guitar, and did song writing come naturally to you?

Russ Erwin - I first picked up the guitar when I was about 15/16 years old, and I started off by just covering songs I enjoyed at the time. I never really thought too much about writing until I started piecing together my own chord progressions - writing seemed to come out of nowhere really. I suppose you could say it came naturally, yeah.

Tell us a little bit about a normal day for you; where are some of your favourite spots to visit, and cool places to eat, grab coffee etc...

I try to be up for 6:30-7am, jump in the shower, and put the clothes on that I've usually picked out the night before. Now breakfast. If I'm pushed for time then a protein shake does the trick, ideally I have natural yogurt + muesli, accompanied by a cup of tea.

I like to head up to Lytham or Preston for lunch. There's a few great places; Zest do a great chicken, bacon, egg + avocado sandwich, or if I'm in Preston Cocos Soul Food hits the spot with a burrito. Coffee is next on the list, before having a general mooch around. A double macchiato is my usual order. Preston has the upper-hand with coffee though, there's a lovely independent place called Cedarwood. From there I usually grab a flat white, a peanut butter flapjack.

 

After that I'll head up to Booths supermarket in St. Anne's, for a look to see if they have any new craft beers in stock. The selection is fantastic here, and it's a lovely local-run business. I always make time for their whisky selection too. Once I'm home I grab a quick protein shake whilst I'm getting my gym gear ready, then I tend to pick up my guitar for half an hour or so.

Usually tea comes quite late, due to me messing about in the studio for a couple of hours. I just lose track of time, it's all about keeping the flow! I'll end the day with a little bit of telly, and a couple of whiskies.

What about your musical influences? Who inspires your musician style, who do you enjoy listening to from the past, and who are your favourite artist at the moment?

My main influences are Damian Rice, Bon Iver, and Ray Lamontagne. I'm currently listening to The National, Chet Baker, Ryan Adams, Keaton Henson, James Blake, Rag n Bone Man, James Vincent McMorrow, and Glen Hansard. From the past I'm enjoying Dire Straits, and Otis Redding.

A big portion of men's items is based on timeless clothing; styles which could fit nicely into any decades without looking too trend-led or gimmicky. Could you name a couple of your favourite items of clothing?

Currently my ultimate piece would be the Harry Stedman Drizzler waxed jacket, which is based on the classic harrington jacket.  I've been hammering it solid for months, and the material is wearing in really nicely. It's a classic cut, boxy fit, which fits my frame perfectly.

I'm really enjoying a slightly looser silhouette at the minute, it's less about skinny jeans now now, and more about selvedge denim with a nice high rise, and tapered cut. I've also got a pair of denim Kickers Kick Hi, which haven't left my feet since our shoot in December.

We've been known to share a few beers together in our time. How long have you been into craft beer and what gave you been drinking lately?

Not that long actually, probably just over a year - I used to be a whisky guy. But it all started with Brewdog's Punk IPA. Ever since then I've tried to buy from smaller breweries, and pick up the ones with interesting label designs and artwork. One of my favourites is Kona Big Wave, and my most recent purchase was Northern Monk Mocha Porter.

Tell us a bit about what you're wearing today

Today I'm wearing two items from the SS16 Gant Diamond G collection;  a classic white self-striped Oxford Shirt, and slim fit Selvedge Indigo Jeans. The simple, classic colours work well against my workwear cotton-canvas Bracton jacket by Realm & Empire, and well-worn brown suede Desert Khan boots by Clarks Originals. I generally like to keep things simple, never wearing logos or anything too fussy. Oh, and not forgetting my trusty Victorinox inox watch - that thing is indestructible!

This post is in partnership with GANT. Thank you for taking the time to support the brands + businesses that make this blog happen.

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