LET IT RIP. For the past year, Ian Jacoby, editor-in-chief of Nudge, has collected even more stories to create issue five of the pinball publication. This latest issue has been available online for pre-order since August, and will officially hit the shelves of local purveyors in Eau Claire this September.

A lot has happened since we last touched base with our friends at Nudge magazine (that's you, Ian Jacoby and Brian Moen!) and there's a lot of exciting news from the pinball-centric alt-publication.

For the past year, Ian — also known as "Doc Monday" to Nudge readers — as the editor-in-chief of Nudge, has been gathering stories from across the country and around the globe for the publication's fifth issue, set to drop this September.

This issue explores the theme of vacation, which for the contributing writers inside the pages, means more than just sandy beaches and elaborate drinks with umbrella garnishes.

“When we say 'vacation,' you are going out into the world and experiencing something different,” Ian said during a recent chat at Racy D'Lenes. “On a really good vacation, you experience the world and it changes you in a way because you see something bigger than yourself.”

Issue five of Nudge embarks on a classic cross-national road trip, journeys to the vibrant pinball scene in Copenhagen, and returns home to the Chippewa Valley through cherished, nostalgic memories — with a few names local readers might recognize.

Visual art by Jacob Huffcutt for "Vacation All I Ever Wanted," written by Josh Ingersoll for Nudge issue five. (Submitted Photo)

Local multi-instrumentalist and contributing writer Josh Ingersoll shares “Vacation All I Ever Wanted,” a reflection on the moments with strangers he's witnessed on the road — all through pinball trials and tribulations.

“To truly live in the moment is no small thing; It takes the novelty of a different than everyday space and place to shake yourself free,” Josh wrote for Nudge.

Ian echoes this sentiment in his opening letter for the magazine. When life feels increasingly difficult and escape seems all-too-tempting, it's comforting to know the arcade offers a real-life place to connect others who might feel the same.

“I think of the times that I was first playing pinball, those are memories that will stick in my brain for the rest of my life,” Ian said. “Arcades are community spaces where people (can) come together and have good experiences.”

Since its print debut in 2022, Nudge magazine continues to chronicle the human stories found within pinball. This journey has continued across subsequent print editions and numerous online features.

There are only three rules at Nudge:

1. Pinball is for EVERYONE.
2. Everything is kinda pointless anyway, so why not have fun?
3. Be funny and mean.

Nudge's following has grown beyond the Chippewa Valley, with a strong readership in major cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Minneapolis.

As Nudge uncovers the expanding global pinball landscape, Ian remains proud of the town he calls home – Eau Claire – and its continually developing pinball scene. Community spaces like downtown Eau Claire's Reboot Social (which Ian definitely predicted would quickly become ‘the pinball spot’ in a previous V1 survey of the scene) exemplifies that evolution, now hosting monthly pinball tournaments where all experience levels are welcome.

Shots on film of varying pinball machines, pictured above, have brought the magazine to life since Nudge's very first print issue in 2022, Ian said. (Submitted Photo)

“The only real way to grow our hobby is to do it on location, at places that are friendly to newbies, and you can see the fun of (pinball),” Ian said. “Reboot really puts an emphasis on fun.”

With this spirit and energy in mind — and to celebrate the new issue release — the magazine will also celebrate the return of “Budge The Nudge” at from 6-9pm on Sept. 14 at The Fire House (202 Gibson St., Eau Claire).

At this event, “Doc Monday” will play against other guests on the bar's Black Knight Sword of Rage pinball machine. If a challenger wins, they receive Nudge-related swag; if Doc wins, he takes an ugly picture of them. Be warned: Ian further emphasized, “If they are not making an ugly enough face, I (will) scream, 'UGLIER!' ”

Pinball Oni by Daniel Watkins, a limited edition print included with the "Deluxe Edition" of Nudge issue five.

Similar events are already planned for Nudge audiences in Los Angeles and New York, too.

Early-bird fans had the chance to snag a “Deluxe Edition” of issue five online, complete with a one-of-one print by Daniel Watkins — screen printed right here in town through Tangled Up In Hue (505 S. Barstow St., Suite B, Eau Claire) — along with other small gifts as a ‘thank you’ from the creators.

This month, Nudge will be available for purchase at local purveyors (who share a love of analog and physical media) in downtown Eau Claire, such as Abraxas Wax (320 Graham Ave., Suite 102) and The Beyond (218 N. Dewey St.), Ian said.

A special mention was made to Nudge's longtime pinball music reviewer, Chippewa Valley native and former Comeback Kid bassist Matt Keil, who passed away in July. Following Matt's passing, and to memorialize his punchy and poignant thoughts on the sonic influences in pinball, Nudge explained to its readers “Why we aren't gonna do pinball music reviews no more.”

“When I was starting Nudge magazine, I talked a lot with Matt – a dude who had been in my life since grade school and the best arbiter of funny I’d ever met,” Ian wrote in Nudge's latest issue. “Matt and I had written for a lot of the same publications growing up, and I knew he was the best guy to help realize the vision I had for our Nudge.”

Friends, family, and new readers who flip through Nudge's past issues, know Matt was “smarter than the rest of us, funnier than the rest of us;” his authentic narrative cannot be replicated. For these reasons and more, Nudge has declared a solemn vow to not publish pinball music reviews from anyone, anymore.

From back in the day, Ian (wearing a Hawaiian shirt) and Matt (holding some mysterious beverage) pictured alongside their bandmates for the eighth grade talent show at Northstar Middle School in Eau Claire. “We were banned from playing after this and got detention,” Ian shared. (Submitted Photo)

Nudge mag, guided by its three rules (with the "mean" rule now removed, for better or worse), truly offers something for everyone. It features immersive and innovative design – both digitally and in all its physical print glory – timeless film photography, and highlights the fascinating connections between pinball and other cultural scenes.

To purchase a copy of Nudge issue five online, visit their website at nudgepinball.com. For ongoing “Budge The Nudge” competition updates, follow along via social media (@nudgemagazine).