They did it again: they made everybody dance. With a sold-out show, Make the Girl Dance made its hip appearance at the Napoleon Bistro Lounge last February. On the basement level where this French DJ duo played, their creative sound waves made all girls – and boys – dance and have fun à la française.

After their long-lasting performance, Pierre Mathieu and Greg Kozo from Make the Girl Dance answered some candid questions for the Alliance Française.

Why “Make the Girl Dance”? How did this duo begin?
We met in a club, warming up for our individual DJ sets. We made some jokes and 6 months later we made “Make the Girl Dance.” We play electronic music with a “rock ‘n roll” energy. When we write a song we always think of a nasty girl dancing with makeup on her cheeks.

What element of France/French culture do you bring into your music?
French music is historically about lyrics and poetry. After that, the other element is the electronic; a strong point since Daft Punk: it was a revolution. That is the French touch. We are like the grandson of Daft Punk.

Greg and Pierre in action (photo by Pablo Manríquez)

Why did you choose electronic music over any other genre?

We want to play music. We want to be powerful.

What were you doing before “Make the Girl Dance”?

PM: I was a TV host in France and a journalist
GK: Originally I was a musician, but I would raise dogs!

Favorite childhood memory?

PM: I was a 16 year-old, a fan of basketball and the first time I went to the USA. I saw the Knicks play at Madison Square Garden. It was like Christmas. The best day of my life!
GK: My sister was born, I was 3 years old and I found that fantastic.

They made the girls (and boys) dance! (photo by Pablo Manríquez)

Do you always see yourself playing music?

PM: If you are 45 or 50 years old and playing at a club: you are pathetic.
GK: I could play music forever, just depends on what music you play!

Hopefully for us, Make the Girl Dance does not plan on retiring anytime soon. And we will most likely be seeing them again in D.C. next year. If you have not yet seen them, you will not want to miss it. And for those of you who already have, we look forward to seeing you there! À bientôt!