Welcome to the Rodeo.
In a college philosophy class, I had to write an essay on something that I believed “matters.” I wrote my essay on country music—how it’s a vessel for Americana, tasked with cataloging great American traditions, history, and romance throughout the ages.
Country music is often seen as static, conservative, and male-dominated. For the Old Guard of Country, these descriptions more-or-less hold water.
But I’m much more interested in the New Guard of Country, the queens and queers who are pushing for a new frontier in music.
In our increasingly fragmented world, it’s never been more important to advocate and amplify the voices that we believe in.
The Culture Cowboy serves to champion country pioneers and comment on the music landscape today. Saddle up cowboys and cowgirls, it’s gonna be a long ride.
Sincerely,
The Cowboy
About the Cowboy.
My love for country music started when I was 10, thanks to a bootleg copy of Speak Now. I remain fully enchanted by Taylor Swift; her musical journey from “Our Song” to “seven” to “Karma” encapsulates how—like fortune—country music favors the bold.
But my love for Women in Country really took off when I listened to Kacey Musgraves’ Golden Hour. Her magnum opus shows the magic (and, in her case, hallucinogens) that makes country music so damn special. Golden Hour’s banjo-twinged, psychedelic production and clever, countrified lyrics transformed how I listen to, understand, and reflect upon music. I fell down the rabbit hole of Kacey Musgraves and Women in Country, and I never looked back.
In college, I briefly ran a weekly segment called “Women in Country Wednesdays” for my 100 Instagram followers; this light-hearted experience caught some traction with my friends and even a few indie artists (I love you, Carter Faith!)
My IG stories inspired my dear friend Emma and me to cohost “Slow Burn,” a weekly radio station throughout undergrad. Between Instagram stories and the radio station, we built a small network of friends passionate about Women in Country music. Our small community remains a highlight of my college experience, and I’ve missed it ever since.
So, what does a 20-something do when she feels lonely post-grad and borderline obsessive about a niche of music? She starts a substack with too many opinions, slang, and song recs.
This Land is Our Land
The Culture Cowboy will be a platform to exchange ideas, songs, and comments about country music today. I hope you’ll join us in our wayward adventures to explore the genre on our own terms and create a space where everyone belongs.
The Breakdown
You can look forward to a few different kinds of posts, detailed here.
The RoundUp
A monthly country playlist to help you gallop into the weekend.
Women in Country Wednesdays
A weekly song review and recommendation. The ever-growing playlist can be found here!
The Stomping Ground
A wide open space for think pieces, news, and drama about the country world.
Songs of Yesteryear
Paying homage to country classics and exploring the history of the genre.
Wildflowers (Don’t Care Where They Grow)
Highlighting indie and up-and-coming artists.
The Front Porch
Personal musings from yours truly.
As always, please leave a comment if you have any new suggestions or ideas for The Culture Cowboy. Thanks so much for stopping by!