The Country & Western Alternative is a collection of loose ideas, personal writings, images, texts, archived materials and inspirations found (or created) during the process of researching an interest in country and western culture. This material is collected with the intent of refining, although the refining is an unknown destination. All of the content will ultimately be whittled down into a concise conversation that seeks to make sense of a unique combination of references. 

This research looks at a symbol within the author’s personal context: the cowboy. How has this symbol been reused, reinterpreted and reenacted for various purposes? How has this symbol been used in fashion, film, art, music and design? With this in mind, each issue of this zine seeks to explore one of these topics in depth. How has this symbol been used for the purposes of manipulation, and what is the historical accuracy of this symbol?

By looking at each area of interest in greater detail, certain objects, writings and images begin to speak louder than others. It is the hope that the content that shouts louder will become highlights within the conversation at-large for this research. Another goal of this zine is to better understand this controversial symbol, and speculate around why this figure (and the mythologies surrounding it) are appropriated throughout the world in various subcultures. 

The 5 first issues of the alternative country and western publication.

Issue 1: The Pointy Boot

Issue 2: Cowpunk

Issue 3: The Rhinestone Cowhand

Issue 4: The Rodeo Clown

Issue 5: Acid Westerns

Printed on a risograph printer between Paris and Tallinn, Estonia.