David Magazine v7_i26 | Jake Shears

JUNE 28, 2023

V7-26

DAVID Magazine

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Chris Azzopardi

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COVER IMAGE

Jake Shears

Photo: Damon Baker

Dancing Through the Heartbreak

Listening to his new album, you wouldn’t know Jake Shears went through a pandemic breakup. After all, he doesn’t process his personal hardships through his music, Shears admitted to me during our recent interview.

And so “Last Man Dancing,” his second solo release after his 2018 self-titled album, is a “party album through and through,” he says. This, then, is a Shears LP down to its deeply disco-heavy core, rooted in the glittery glam-pop sounds of the Scissor Sisters (which, by the way, haven’t totally disbanded, though they are on a very long indefinite hiatus — Shears spoke on that in our interview, too). The Scissor Sisters made Shears, the band’s frontman, a gay icon almost 20 years ago when the quartet’s self-titled 2004 debut embraced the kind of unabashed queerness we’ve now come to expect from LGBTQ+ artists.

Shears, whose look has gone from twink to daddy (is there a 44-year-old gay man who can’t relate?), tells me he watches up-and-coming queer artists with great admiration. But without Shears, it’s hard to imagine what their careers might look like — could they be as freely expressive if he wasn’t leading the way in feather-adorned leather pants or that bare-chested suspenders look he favored? Even for a generation of LGBTQ+ people who aren’t musicians (including yours truly), Shears made celebrating ourselves easier by always outwardly celebrating himself

With “Last Man Dancing,” I always appreciate when you have a new album out because so much of my experience is rooted in your music. Thank you. I get excited about it too.

And this is cool because it’s an all out party. I was like, where are the Jake ballads? And it kept playing and I’m like, OK, I guess I’m just supposed to dance the whole time. Yeah, they don’t come. It was an idea that I had when I had half of the songs written for this and the album was taking shape, and then I was like, “What if it just doesn’t stop?” And there’s a halfway point to the record, so I put it in two parts — but what if it just keeps going and literally the second half doesn’t stop; there’s no stops between the tracks. It’s definitely a party record with a lot of different influences going on.

I read that a lot of the vibe of the album was influenced by your parties, specifically ones you’ve had in New Orleans, which made me feel like I had missed out on a lot of good Jake Shears parties.

Oh god, they’re still going to go on and on. My house there is very special and it’s very central. It’s a couple blocks out of the [French] Quarter. It’s really nice. It’s not fancy, but it’s super cozy and vibe-y and there’s loads of books and there’s record players everywhere and great art and,

yeah, there’s a place

to dance.

Collaboration has been a significant aspect of your career. What do you value most about collaborative experiences and how do they influence your creative process?

I don’t make anything by myself. I get seeds of ideas. I’ll do some writing. I’ll get concepts, but the joy of making music is the joy of hanging out with somebody else that you like and doing something with them. Cheever, Boys Noize, Vaughn Oliver and Ryland Blackinton — we all are just great friends. We just love working together. So there’s fun happening while we’re making music and geeking out on stuff. It’s a great hang and it’s super fun. You build something together and there’s payoffs. Cheever and I wrote “Diamonds Don’t Burn.” I was literally doing vocals in his 3-year-old’s nursery when she was at school.

What was going on in your life when you wrote these songs?

It’s kind of all over the place. There was nothing too personal, although my boyfriend and I broke up in the summer of 2020. I was just absolutely devastated, and it took me two years to get over it. I’ve never been so heartbroken, but I had no desire to put that into the music. I wanted to put the good times into it and the joy and the fun that I was having, especially when stuff started opening back up, when New Orleans sort of came alive again and we could all get together. That was what I wanted to infuse into it, the fun that I was having as well. But yeah, that was a super rough moment. A breakup in the middle of lockdown is just not fun.

So many artists write best when they’re heartbroken, and so the fact that you didn’t take advantage of that musically and went in

the opposite direction is really interesting — maybe making a dance album was, for you, the catharsis?

It is, and also, I’m just the opposite. If I’m having a bad day and if I’m not feeling good and if I’m feeling depressed, I don’t want to write, I don’t make myself write, I don’t feel like working on creative stuff. I really only like to work creatively if I’m feeling good, if I’m feeling healthy, if my brain feels good. I’m not one of those people that makes lemons into lemonade, necessarily.

Even now, you’re still addressing themes of self-acceptance, love and empowerment. How do you think your work from Scissor Sisters and beyond has contributed to the broader conversation surrounding LGBTQ+ rights and representation?

It was a funny, old world in 2003, and it is in 2023. I do think that we are in a better spot in so many ways. It’s such a big conversation. I feel like it was such a different world then; we didn’t have social media and we weren’t communicating the same way that we are now. I would never want to go through what I did then, now. Just having that spotlight, everybody can so easily just get amplified unwillingly in one moment, and I liked that world better.

I hope that I opened up some doors and pathways as I feel like people did for me who came before me, and it’s nice to see queerness being celebrated in mainstream culture and risks still being taken. I also find some of it to be… I’m really going to have a really hard time getting to my point. I think there’s been a lot of inauthentic allyship. Look at the Dodgers right now.

Do you see that same kind of inauthentic allyship in music?

Not necessarily. No. I see a wide breadth of artists being listened to and adored and these artists taking risks. Just seeing Anohni put out a record or announce an album was really exciting. But

then there’s the new kids I’ve become friends with, like Jake Wesley Rogers, who I love so much. It’s just been really amazing watching him blossom. It’s also really interesting because he has a completely different experience in what he is doing. I mean, he’s on TikTok all day long. It’s so strange. To me, I just think it’s weird. I think it’s unnatural, and I don’t ever really want to do that. But if the kids want to do it, then have at it. So listen, I can feel like an absolute grumpy old man, but I also don’t feel like an old man yet. So I don’t know. I’m going to be 45 this year, which is just crazy. I don’t know how I’m going to feel at 45. I’m so proud of everything I’ve done, and so I feel so lucky and fortunate with my career and I’ve been able to do all this stuff and then at the same time I’m like, “Am I going to have a family? Who’s going to look after me when I start losing my marbles?”

I plan on living on a “Golden Girls”-style compound with all of my queer friends, and we will just all take care of each other. We’re going to help each other keep our marbles. It’s what’s happened in New Orleans. All my best friends have moved down there. When I’m down there now, it’s just loads of family around. Although the other day I held a baby and burst into tears, so I’m just like, “What?”

So maybe you were meant to be a real daddy. I don’t know, though. I just feel like it’s a new phase of life. I definitely want to just keep working. Now, another musician friend of mine who’s putting out a record next month, we had about an hour on FaceTime last week, and he’s going to be 50, and he was just like, “We can’t do this forever.” It’s like, “We got to do it now,” and I agree.

Next year is the 20th anniversary of Scissor Sisters’ debut album. I know you get this question all the time about a reunion, and based on what I’ve read, you’re very open to it. So if you’re very open to it, why hasn’t it happened yet?

I don’t know. I think I want everybody to be down and ready and stoked if that was ever to happen. I definitely don’t want to be twisting anybody’s arm. Not that that’s happening, but yeah, it would be nice. I think it would be really fun, and I think it would be great. So yeah, you never know. Stranger things have happened.

Chris Azzopardi is the Editorial Director of Pride Source Media Group and Q Syndicate, the national LGBTQ+ wire service. He has interviewed a multitude of superstars, including Cher, Meryl Streep, Mariah Carey and Beyoncé. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, GQ and Billboard. Reach him via Twitter @chrisazzopardi.

This year’s 4th of July celebration comes at a time of political and social unrest, that may not have everyone feeling all that red, white, and blue. We asked community leaders and personalities about how they feel about Independence Day and how they celebrate.

Margaret Thatcher summed it up best when she said ‘Europe was created by history. America was created by philosophy.’ As we celebrate the birth of this great nation, we must always reflect on the principles on which it was founded. Our unalienable rights: Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

The idea of Independence Day is as fictitious as the 1996 alien invasion movie starring Will Smith. We do have a lot to be grateful for this year though – Britney is free, and we are all free of Pat Robertson (she died). I’ll celebrate when Cop City is shut down!

Personally, I have never truly celebrated the Fourth of July for the reasons of the holiday. As someone who is a marginalized person of various identities, celebrating the Fourth of July has never felt deserved or possible. Typically, I spend the fourth with friends and family enjoying space with each other and sharing food and quality time. I think especially after this year’s Pride month and having dealt with so much discrimination through legislation, I will use the Fourth of July as another moment for rest and community.

Honestly, I’m not feeling super patriotic with everything going on right now, so for me it’s a time to gather with my close friends and chosen family to celebrate and fight for our community. As a true defender and patriot of the forest, and in the memory of Tortuguita, I stand with the fight to end police brutality and against Cop City to protect America’s largest urban forest in my beloved Atlanta, Georgia – a black city with black leadership.

“As a Japanese-American and queer person, I find days like July 4th difficult. I am not blindly proud of America. We have a history marred by genocide, racism and capitalism- but we also are full of people who have been fighting against injustice as well. On this Independence Day, I will be resting in the legacy of freedom fighters like Malcolm X, Yuri Kochiyama, and so many more in this country, who organized to bring Justice. I will be uplifting the Stop Cop City referendum campaign, the work to protect the Okefenokee Swamp from mining companies, and the need to close the Atlanta City Detention Center. What gives me hope for the future is the countless organizers, artists, strategists and neighbors who have a strong vision of what America could and should be.”

“I spend my 4th of July each year with family and friends! We get up early and watch the Peachtree Road Race and cheer on my partner as he runs by. Later, we go to a friend’s cookout, and catch the fireworks as they illuminate the wonderful city of Atlanta!”

“This Fourth of July doesn’t feel so celebratory to many of us. Across the country, and right here in Georgia, our freedoms and rights as LGBTQ+ people are under attack. This Independence Day, I’ll be reflecting on the many LGBTQ+ pioneers who fought hard and paved the way for our community. And whose work we must continue—especially now.”

Pride Journey: Provincetown

I think it’s safe to say that I found my new happy place. I had visited Provincetown, Massachusetts once before during the winter season and even then, I enjoyed my time there. Of course, P-Town is much slower during the colder months than it was during my most recent visit, but I still enjoyed the small-town charm of this iconic coastal destination.

Provincetown is one of the most LGBTQfriendly destinations in the country, if not the world. From the moment you arrive by ferry or by car, you are quickly transported into a rainbow oasis which makes it seems as if you are on an island where you are free to express yourself in any way you please.

As soon as I stepped foot off the Bay State Cruise Company ferry from Boston, I checked in to the Foxberry Inn, a beautiful property located less than a mile from the heart of P-Town. Most of the destination is walkable, but

biking is also common if you prefer. The staff at Foxberry Inn was lovely and quite attractive, which is always an added bonus. My corner room came complete with a water view as well as a separate seating area and balcony to enjoy some morning coffee.

Each morning the staff prepared a delicious hot breakfast, which is included in the price of the room. The breakfast burrito was definitely my favorite and possibly one of the best I’ve ever had in recent memory. Every afternoon, guests are welcome to enjoy freshly baked cookies and a hot beverage if they desire in the common area.

One of Provincetown’s most famous attractions is not a physical attraction; it’s a dance. More specifically, a tea-dance. The concept of a tea-dance began in New York in the 1960s. Gay men would meet at off-the-beaten path locations around New York City on a Sunday

OMW Sunday Therapy Pool Party

afternoon and enjoy tea, as it was illegal to serve alcohol to people known to be gay. How times have changed!

These tea-dances quickly spread around the country and today, the weekly teadances held at Boatslip Resort have become legendary. The waterfront property features a large outdoor deck plus an indoor section with multiple bars and plenty of room for dancing. The drinks are a bit more expensive than I am used to coming from the Midwest, but the pours were heavy, so it balanced out. My guest Michael and I sipped our cocktails while grooving to the sounds of Sylvester, Donna Summer, and Chic. The people watching alone was worth the visit.

After the dance, walk over to Liz’s Café, just a few blocks away. The quaint restaurant gives off an island resort vibe and the food didn’t disappoint either. We both began our meal with the ceviche containing a variety of fresh fish served with homemade tortilla chips and followed that up with the pan seared cod prepared in a mouthwatering broth.

If you are in the mood for some after dinner drinks and entertainment, head to Provincetown Brewery Co. or the Post Office Café & Cabaret for the Anita Cocktail Variety Hour. Hosted of course by non-other than Anita Cocktail, the hour-long show also features performances by cast members Jona Williams, Abby Cummings, and Raquel Blake. My favorite part of the show was when Anita Cocktail sang live, something I rarely see drag performers do.

Keep the party going at Atlantic House, or A-House as the locals call it. This is the only dance club which operates for the entire year as some establishments shut down during the winter months. The complex consists of different rooms including Little Bar, The Macho Bar, Provincetown’s original leather bar as well as the Big Room where people go to dance.

Wake up early the next morning and head to Boy Beach, which is located close to the Foxberry Inn or jump on Art’s Dune Tours to explore the Cape Cod National Seashore. Access to this area is seasonal and only authorized vehicles are allowed to operate in the park. The

company, now in its 76th year in business, brings guests through the rolling dunes to various picturesque vantage points.

Spend the afternoon strolling around the town and exploring the dozens of boutiques and art galleries along Commercial Street. A bit further away is the Provincetown Art Association & Museum, a space housing a collection of works by artists from the Cape. The organization was originally established in 1914 so it’s a great place to learn about the cultural history of this destination.

If you are in the mood for some exercise, journey to the top of The Pilgrim Monument, a 252-foot structure built to commemorate the Pilgrims’ first landing. Since many of the properties in the town don’t offer fitness centers on property, visitors can purchase a day pass and workout with the locals at Mussel Beach Health Club or Provincetown Gym.

P-Town is home to under 4,000 full-time residents, however this number swells to over 60,000 during the peak summer months. If you aren’t a fan of huge crowds, I would recommend visiting during the shoulder season. This may also be a more budget-friendly time to travel as daily room prices tend to decrease.

For your final dinner in Provincetown, go to Café Heaven and begin your meal with their delicious Lobstertini made with lobster salad served atop an avocado and tomato salad tossed in a citrus vinaigrette. This was one of my favorite culinary treats of this vacation as the vinaigrette complimented the sweetness of the lobster perfectly. Michael and I decided to share the Provincetown Bouillabaisse for our main entrée. It tasted similar to a classic bouillabaisse, with the exception of linguica which is a nod to P-Town’s Portuguese heritage.

Provincetown is an all-in-one destination, meaning there is something for everyone. Whether you choose to party or just relax on the beach, you will find your tribe in P-Town.

Learn more about P-Town at ptowntourism.com

NEW ONLINE CALENDAR of EVENTS

BARS & CLUBS MIDTOWN

BLAKE’S ON THE PARK blakesontheparkatlanta.com

227 10th St NE

BULLDOGS

893 Peachtree St NE

FRIENDS NEIGHBORHOOD BAR friendsonponce-atl. com

736 Ponce De Leon Ave NE

MY SISTER’S ROOM mysistersroom.com

66 12th St NE

X MIDTOWN xmidtown.com

990 Piedmont Ave NE

THE T modeltatlanta.com

465 Boulevard SE

CHESHIRE

HERETIC hereticatlanta.com

2069 Cheshire Bridge Road

BJ ROOSTERS bjroosters.com

2043 Cheshire Bridge Road NE

A snapshot of Gay Atlanta’s favorite destinations. View their ads in DAVID & visit their websites for weekly event listings.

SNAPS

WESTSIDE

MARQUETTE

868 Joseph E. Boone Blvd NW

840ATL

840 Joseph E. Boone Blvd NW

ANSLEY

ATLANTA EAGLE 1492 Piedmont Ave NE

FELIX’S 1510 Piedmont Ave NE

THE HIDEAWAY 1544 Piedmont Ave NE

MIXX mixxatlanta.com 1492 Piedmont Ave NE

OSCAR’S oscarsatlanta.com 1510 Piedmont Ave NE

WOOFS woofsatlanta.com

494 Plasters Ave NE

EAST ATLANTA, GRANT PARK & EDGEWOOD

MARY’S marysatlanta.com

1287 Glenwood Ave SE

SISTER LOUISA’S CHURCH

sisterlouisaschurch.com

466 Edgewood Ave SE

DINING

MIDTOWN

CASA ALMENARA

991 Piedmont Ave NE casa-almenara.com

HENRY’S henrysatl.com

132 10th St NE

LA HACIENDA lahaciendamidtown. com

900 Monroe Dr NE

TUK TUK THAI FOOD LOFT TUKTUKATL.COM

1745 Peachtree Rd NW

DEKALB

LIPS ATLANTA atldragshow.com

3011 Buford Hwy NE

RETAIL MIDTOWN

BARKING LEATHER AFTER DARK barkingleather.com

1510 Piedmont Ave NE

CHESHIRE SOUTHERN NIGHTS VIDEO

2205 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE

ANSLEY

BOY NEXT DOOR MENSWEAR boynextdoormenswear.com

1000 Piedmont Ave NE, Ste A

GCB & PLEASURES brushstrokesatlanta.com

1510-D Piedmont Ave. NE

FITNESS

MIDTOWN

URBAN BODY FITNESS urbanbody tness.com

500 Amsterdam Ave N

CHESHIRE

GRAVITEE FITNESS graviteeatl.com

2201 Faulkner Rd NE

SPAS/BATHS

ADULT

FLEX SPA exspas.com

76 4th St NW

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We all have those moments of ‘wait, did they just say that?’ Lucky for you, we compile the best of the best right here on this page. Want to join in on the b*tch session? Submit your own nuggets to info@davidatlanta.com.

Literally, never say unprecedented to me again.

I watched my first porno the other day. I looked so young back then.

My friend almost died because I couldn’t typed himelyck manoover into my phone at the bar.

Eating *ss should be called butthead.

How many tops are tops, and how many tops are just gay with IBS?

How do you get Dick from Richard? Ask nicely.

A narcissist is someone who gets angry about being accused of something they definitely did.