Howdy pardner!

I’m no cowboy. I did go to the agricultural program in high school, but I’m no cowboy. I have, however, met several of these quiet, hard-working men and women. Some of them at rodeos, others at ranches we’ve visited. These are the real cowboys — or ranch hands as they may call themselves. I always view them with at least a smidge of envy. They seem to be living the free life, and constantly surrounded by animals. Surely they sleep like babies after a long day in the saddle.

Then there are the people who look like cowboys but have no grit under their fingernails, no callouses on their hands. They aren’t even bowlegged. As Blake Brazeal (see issue #11, The American) puts it, “You don’t become a cowboy just because you bought the whole outfit at the Boot Barn.”

That describes me.

This summer, I’m wearing the cowboy hat. Currently on the lookout for a damn fine Western shirt. I’m thinking a black one, with embroidery. Add to that a pair of Wrangler MW11s and then the boots. I haven’t decided which kind yet, but I’m leaning toward alligator print leather boots. Am I taking this outfit out on the town? Of course not, I don’t have that kind of confidence. But I’ll definitely be bringing it to festivals and car shows. ***

Before all that, we’re sending another issue to the presses. Things are going well, but we’d love for more people to discover us — and you can help us with that. Tell your friends about your favorite magazine, and we’ll tip our hats to you. And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, via the QR code below.

This issue brings you a cool mix, as usual. As luck would have it, a fair amount of cowboys. Anouk Krantz showcases some of the fantastic images of her latest book, Ranchland; Majsan and Robin reach the end of their long road trip through the Great American West, where they meet some real tough guys; and Nathalie has dug into the history of Wrangler. All women — good, we need to get better at it. For this issue, I, too, have met some creative women in Portland, Oregon. So things are looking up. We’ve also checked in on the LGBTQ epicenter of Asbury Park. You know, where Bruce, Southside Johnny, and Little Steven grew up.

It’s a lot, as usual. I hope you like it as much as we do.

Giddy up! Jonas

Larsson, Editor-in-Chief

ALLIGATOR HAPPINESS IN LOUISIANA. NICER THAN THE RUMOR. PAGE 130.

New Jersey

Connecticut

THERE'S A SHOP WITH SOME GROOVE IN NEW ENGLAND. AT UPTON BASS, THEY MAKE SOME OF THE FINEST UPRIGHT BASSES IN THE US. PAGE 114.

WE ARE BACK IN NEW JERSEY. IN THIS ISSUE, SIMON URWIN LOOKS AT THE NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN GREW UP. ASBURY PARK WAS THE NAME. PAGE 18.

Alabama

WE LEFT A SMOKER BEHIND FROM THE LAST ISSUE. HERE WE TALK ABOUT BBQ THAT MAKES THE CILIA STAND AT ATTENTION. PAGE 68.

North Carolina

WE DELVE INTO THE HISTORY OF DENIM. THIS TIME WE TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT WRANGLER. THE COMPANY STARTED IN GREENSBORO, NC. PAGE 76.