David Magazine v9_i40 | Andy Bell

LOUDER LOUDER GET GET

H HA AP PP PY Y

P PR RI ID DE E T TA A A AT TL L A AN N 2 2 0 02 25 5

Want to Hit 100?

Steal a Few Tricks from the World’s Healthiest Old Folks

By Dr. Zachary LaVigne, B.S., D.C

Picture yourself at 100. Are you hiking Stone Mountain with your great-grandkids or parked in a recliner, channel-surfing because moving feels like a chore? Longevity is not just about living longer. It is about living better. That is where the Blue Zones come in.

The Blue Zones are five regions where living to 90 or 100 is surprisingly common. These people are not just surviving. They are thriving. In Okinawa, Japan, women still garden in their nineties. In Ikaria, Greece, villagers outwalk their children. In Sardinia, Italy, shepherds climb hills daily without thinking of it as exercise. No powders, no gadgets. Just ordinary lives that happen to be very healthy ones.

They Move Differently

They Live With Purpose

One of the strongest predictors of long life is having a reason to get up in the morning. In Okinawa, it is ikigai. In Nicoya, Costa Rica, it is plan de vida. Purpose might come from family, faith, farming, or community. For you, it could be activism, art, or caring for friends. Whatever the source, knowing why you wake up keeps stress hormones lower and your brain sharper.

They Drink Carefully

Wine shows up in several Blue Zones, usually one glass with food and friends. It is not about getting drunk. It is about connection and moderation. If you already drink, make it intentional. If you do not, there is no reason to start.

They Respect Sleep

Daily life is movement. People walk to neighbors’ homes, squat in gardens, and carry groceries. Sardinian shepherds log miles on foot. The lesson for us is that activity does not need to look like structured workouts. In Atlanta, that could mean biking the BeltLine, walking short errands, or turning your yard into a small project. The secret is not working out harder. It is avoiding a life built on sitting.

They Eat Mostly Plants

Across all five zones, beans are the star. Lentils in Ikaria, black beans in Costa Rica, soy in Okinawa. Vegetables and whole grains round things out, with meat playing a minor role. Nobody is eating piles of processed food. Meals are simple, plant-heavy, and home-cooked. To borrow the habit, flip your plate. Make plants and beans the focus, let meat be the accent.

They Handle Stress

Modern culture treats stress like a badge of honor. In the Blue Zones, it is seen as a health hazard. People nap, pray, or build rest into the week. Ikarians pause for coffee and conversation. Okinawans honor ancestors. Seventh-day Adventists in California dedicate a day to slowing down. You do not need incense or a retreat. Maybe you set your phone aside for a walk through Piedmont Park. Maybe Sunday dinner or drag brunch becomes your ritual.

Blue Zone elders go to bed after dark and rise with the sun. They do not brag about running on four hours. They treat sleep as fuel. For us, surrounded by 24-hour everything, this means setting boundaries. Go to bed earlier. Protect your rest like you protect your paycheck.

What It All Adds Up To

These habits are not magic. They are old patterns of living that our bodies still expect. Move around. Eat plants. Slow down. Find purpose. Stay connected. Rest. The people in the Blue Zones never lost these basics, while many of us traded them for cars, screens, and stress.

You may not make it to 100. But if you pick up even a few of these habits, you will add energy and clarity to the years you do have. And who knows. You might be the 90-year-old still dancing at Pride instead of sitting it out.

Andy Bell In Atlanta Taking the Crowns

By Mikkel Hyldebrandt

Live

This year, Andy Bell released his first solo album in 15 years, “Ten Crowns”, and he is currently on a US tour that will take him to Atlanta on October 7 – just in time for the Atlanta Pride. We had the chance to talk to the Erasure frontman about his Ten Crowns Tour, the album, and his special connection to Atlanta.

“Ten Crowns” is your first solo album in 15 years. You have been releasing music all this time with Erasure, but how does it feel to be “on your own” with this album again?

At the time of writing this, I’m actually back on the road with Vince for four special shows to celebrate Erasure’s 40th Anniversary until the solo tour carries on from October through January 2026. I never realised what a luxury it was to travel with a full band on a coach, although the coach is packed to the brim! We have a great ensemble cast and have a good laugh. I very much look forward to being back in the US – although everyone seems to be going

through quite a tumultuous time, we hope to bring some relief to the madness.

The album is really gorgeous! It mixes genres from current electronica, with a definite Y2K and 90s vibe, even some 80s influences, a bit of rock, and, of course, the perfect power ballad, all tied together by your stunning vocals. What was the overall inspiration for “Ten Crowns”?

I think it’s a hybrid of LA and Nashville, so all the genres are a bit mixed up. It started out as a few dance tracks that Dave and I wrote in 2012, and then he moved his family to Nashville, where we wrote the majority of the tracks. Because the early

writes did fairly well on the now-defunct Billboard Dance Chart, we decided to carry on writing as an exercise. “Lies So Deep” with Sarah Potenza is an ode to Whitney Houston and Stevie Nicks. I like to think of Ten Crowns as dance gospel with a hint of religious iconography.

You mention David Audé and working with the powerhouse producer on this album, which comes across in how consistent this album feels – how did he influence and help you shape “Ten Crowns”?

Dave is an amazing workhorse. I think i finally met someone who works as hard and productively as Mr. Clarke. Whenever I or my partner, Stephen, calls, he is always “ears deep” in music. He is about ten years younger than me, so I probably know the original dance/funk artists, but he keeps up with all the bright young things (please don’t ask me to name names). I always find that when you’ve been working in such close proximity with somebody, you almost reach a psychic understanding with them. This is true of Dave and me; communication becomes more or less unspoken, but things get done!

Now that the album has been out since Spring, what songs have crystallized as your favorites – your gems in the crown – on “Ten Crowns”?

“Dawn of Heavens Gate” is like a prayer to Saint Peter, saying, “Hey, let me in!” It was imagined as a Tetris game!

Speaking of gems: You have to tell us about the collaboration with Debbie Harry on “Heart’s A Liar” – how did that come about, and what was it like working with the legend?

Well, I have been a lifelong fan of Ms. Harry and think she is the coolest person on the planet, so having her say ‘yes’ to being on my song was a dream come true. When she emails me, I still get butterflies.

Now turning to the tour: What does it mean to you to be able to perform these songs live and in front of an audience?

In the words of the immortal Ms Harry, “Once had a love and it was a gas, soon turned out the tour was a blast.” Seriously, though, I feel like we have four Charlie’s Angels on stage with me. Dave Audé is touring with us (on keyboards), Jerry Fuentes, who also tours with Sting, on

guitar, Sarah Tomek (drums for Steven Tyler) on drums, and our newest angel is Chelsea Blank on vocals. Our dream team band is incredible, so if you’ve never seen us, please come and have a blast!

You have all this new and amazing material to play, but will fans also get to hear some of your other hits?

Yes, sir, the show is the perfect balance of new songs, as well as Erasure hits and fan favorites – plus a very special cover for someone’s 45th Anniversary.

of work for my partner Stephen, which I wouldn’t like to put him through again. We had amazing support from Mute and PIAS. I had no idea how much work they do behind the scenes.

You’ll be here right before Atlanta Pride – will you be staying for the festivities, or is it on with the show?

You’re playing at Atlanta’s Buckhead Theatre, but you actually have quite the connection to Atlanta. Can you elaborate on that?

My partner Stephen and I have a place in Atlanta near the arts district, and we always love the calm summer and fall there –everything is so close and convenient. Hair salon, nail salons, restaurants, pubs, you name it. It’s always a relief to land here, because people are very friendly and there is so much to do. I love all the parks and gardens, as well as the botanical garden, which is quite close for a Christmas treat. The markets and shopping are fabulous – it reminds me of London when I first went there and was still rather unspoiled! GoLanta!!!

Unfortunately, not this year – although I’m glad they moved it because it would’ve been too hot otherwise!

Looking ahead, Erasure will celebrate its 40th Anniversary next year. Besides celebrating an incredible catalogue of music, will there be anything else coming from Erasure?

Vince and I are working on brand-new music right now, but we have no idea what it’ll sound like or when it’ll come out — hopefully 2026!

You’ve released the album on your own Crown Recordings label, do you have more plans for the label? Might you sign and release other artists?

We might do, but it was a hell of a lot

year. Besides those last-minute links all

Where can people find you and follow you – and get those last-minute tickets?

AndyBell.com is where all the links are – and you can also visit erasureinfo. com, where we make all Erasure announcements first.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

I would just like to say a warm ‘hello and thanks’ to all the lovely people, young and old, that read David Magazine and to say to the whole community, allies, and everyone else, keep your peckers up, and remember things are only temporary, so live for the moment!

This Beat Is TECHNOSEXUAL

By Mikkel Hyldebrandt

Photos courtesy of Technosexual Order

Atlanta’s vibrant underground techno and dance scene has a new order – the Technosexual Order. Initiated by veteran DJ Mike Bradley and his husband, Mark, the new DJ collective and party phenomenon aims to revitalize the scene with all-inclusive parties that celebrate all aspects of queer culture, above all, music.

We had the opportunity to speak with Mike about the new order, what it means to him, and how they plan to introduce it in a big way during this month’s Pride celebration.

Mike, you have been DJing and curating parties in Atlanta and beyond for a long time. Can you tell us a little bit about that?

I’ve been DJing for 28 years and have been playing out in Atlanta since 2004. I started promoting parties in the mid-2000s as Diagnostik. Our parties were about everyone being welcome and reaching out to every promotion group to bring unity to the house/tech house community. I started playing mixed and straight parties

and played a good bit with Alley Cat Music Club. I took a long break and started promoting queer parties with my husband, Mark McEwan, in late 2024.

Most recently, you hosted a party called Let’s Dance, which has now been rebranded as Technosexual Order. Tell me about this rebrand and why you chose to do it.

We named our party Let’s Dance at first because Mark would always post my DJ flyers with the tag “Let’s Dance”. It made sense at first, but we decided we wanted something a bit edgier. We want our parties to have a more edgy vibe, both in terms of music and atmosphere.

What kind of party is a Technosexual Order party? What can you expect?

Technosexual Order parties will have a vibe where everyone is welcome. We aim to create a safe space for the entire queer community. We are creating a vibe like we encounter when traveling the world and attending queer festivals and parties. We want the music to be open format with everything from house to techno to broken beats all with a tech-forward vibe, but still fun and sassy.

You have already introduced new and exciting DJs into the Technosexual Order. Can you tell me about them – and how do you plan to expand the order?

The Technosexual Order currently has three members. Mark McEwan is the heart of the party. He’s the needed promoter that doesn’t DJ. His infectious personality draws people in. DJ Neighbor (Daniel Hudgins) is an up-and-coming DJ who is honing his sound and skills by playing all types of parties in the Southeast. His more uplifting sound balances the more techno-

forward music I like to play.

Atlanta Pride is almost here, and you’re introducing the Technosexual Order in a big way with several big parties. Can you tell me about them?

We are so excited to be partnering with Club Saturn at a new venue, 404.exe, which occupies the former MJQ space. It’s always been one of my favorite spaces in Atlanta. We are planning to hold events on the second Saturdays of the month through the end of the year at the space. We have booked two headliners for the party:

Jellyfish – we’re so excited to welcome from Pittsburgh the Atlanta Debut of this electrifying duo Jellyfish. Their sets morph between Italo, house, melodic techno, disco, electro, and beyond! So come prepared to sweat. They just recently destroyed the dance floor at Honcho. Their music vibes are stellar.

Asphodèle – all the way from LA, we have the Atlanta debut of the incredible

sound technician. Her sound is creative, experimental, heartfelt, genre-bending, high-energy and we are so excited to get lost on the dancefloor to Asphodèle’s selections.

I’m also DJing at Woof from 5-8 pm on Saturday. Mark and I also have our fourth annual Pride pool party, which has become legendary with global talent DJing.

Why do you think it’s important for Atlanta to have a queer DJ culture right now?

I think it’s important to create safe spaces for everyone. We want diversity on the dance floor, including – but not limited to –race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, and gender identity. It warms my heart that our trans friends tell us how great it is to feel safe at our parties. I hope that we can create a space where everyone feels comfortable being their true, authentic selves.

What is your vision for the Technosexual Order?

Our goal is to continue the monthly parties we started with Let’s Dance. We also want to collaborate with queer DJ collectives to break down separation in our community. I think Atlanta’s dance scene is too segregated. As a DJ, I’ve always tried to push the idea of better music for queer people. Globally, tech-forward music is embraced by the queer communities. Let’s make Atlanta a queer house/techno/ broken beat music destination. There is so much queer musical talent in Atlanta. Let’s embrace it and celebrate everyone.

Tell us where to follow you and how to get tickets to your parties?

Tickets are available on Resident Advisor or by scanning the QR code on this page. You can connect with Technosexual Order @technosexualorder on our socials on Instagram and Facebook.

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

WESTSIDE

MARQUETTE 868 Joseph E. Boone Blvd NW

840ATL 840 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd

ANSLEY

ATLANTA EAGLE 1492 Piedmont Ave NE

FELIX’S 1510 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

TRIPPS fb: tripps-bar 1931 Piedmont Cir NE

EAST ATLANTA, GRANT PARK & EDGEWOOD

MARY’S marysatlanta.com 1287 Glenwood Ave SE

SISTER LOUISA’S CHURCH sisterlouisaschurch. com 466 Edgewood Ave SE

LORE ATLANTA loreatl.com 466 Edgewood Ave loreatl.com

DINING

MIDTOWN

CASA ALMENARA 991 Piedmont Ave NE casa-almenara.com

OLIVE BISTRO olivebistro.com 1050 Juniper St NE #4

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

BOY NEXT DOOR MENSWEAR boynextdoormenswear.com 1000 Piedmont Ave NE, Ste A

ANSLEY

BARKING LEATHER AFTER DARK barkingleather.com 1510 Piedmont Ave NE

GCB & PLEASURES brushstrokesatlanta. com

1510-D Piedmont Ave. NE FITNESS

URBAN BODY FITNESS urbanbody tness. com

500 Amsterdam Ave N

CHESHIRE

GRAVITY FITNESS gravity tnessatl.com 2201 Faulkner Rd NE

SPAS/BATHS ADULT

FLEX SPA exspas.com 76 4th St NW

SOUTHERN NIGHTS

2205 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE

Atlanta Socializers Club

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.

My boss thinks I’m sweating because I’m working hard, but I’m actually drunk af.

Love being kind – unless it’s a person at a fourway stop waving for me to go when it is clearly their turn!

I hope this email nds you and in the darkness binds you. Is bukkake technically a baby shower?

Your phone be like “a year ago today, and it’s my cheeks spread open.

Donʼt text while driving! Use the giant iPad attached to your dashboard instead.

How many photos do I have to heart for your ass to realize that I wanna have your babies in me?!

You know the type that gets drunk and loses sh!t they never had. Girl, what Prada bag?!