Meet the straight guy, gay girl and gay guy who make up indie band Keep Dancing Inc

Words: Jamie Tabberer; picture: Louis, Gaby, and Joseph of Keep Dancing Inc (all pictures taken by Matteo Verzini)

Maroon 5’s Adam Levine recently declared “there are no bands anymore.”

Cue confounded music fans worldwide scratching their heads and wondering: ‘Does he have a point?’

Well, before you draw any concrete conclusions, divert your attention to rising indie outfit Keep Dancing Inc.

Not only not only are this Parisian trio thriving – their peppy debut album Embrace was met with enthusiasm in 2020 – but they’re also casually pushing the envelope for LGBTQ representation in music. How? No less than 66.6% of the band identify as gay! 

Here, the band – comprised of drummer Gaby, bassist Joseph and lead singer and lyricist Louis (the latter the lone straight member) – Zoom in from France to discuss writing in lockdown, their LGBTQ music heroes and their excellently-titled track ‘No Milkshakes in Hell’.

How did you form?

Joseph: Louis started the band in 2015 with a guy called Charles. Then I joined in 2016 and we were a three-piece. Gaby joined in 2018 and we were four. Charles left in 2019 and now we’re a three-piece again.

How would you describe your sound?

Louis: We try to write pop songs with electronic elements and a warm rock sound.

Do you live together in Paris?

Joseph: No, but we’re together in Brittany right now because we’re trying to write some new songs.
Gaby: For a different album!
Joseph: We’re not sure yet, maybe a second album. We’re trying to write as many songs as possible.
Louis: It’s a house by the sea, really beautiful and peaceful.
Gaby: Is it going well? I think so!

What’s your favourite song you’ve recorded so far?

Gaby: ‘No Milkshakes in Hell’.
Louis: It’s the most unexpected song we could have written. It has no message!
Joseph: It’s about a guy who is obsessed with milkshakes – a milkshake psychopath. We did a small UK tour three years ago and we wanted to taste a milkshake in every town we went to. We didn’t find any in Hull!
Louis: But we love Hull! No enmity for Hull!

Can I clarify what each of your sexualities and gender identities are?

Gaby: I’m a gay woman.
Joseph: I’m a gay man.
Louis: And I’m a heterosexual man.

Does this unique dynamic influence the music at all?

Joseph: I’d say our sexualities have no impact on the music that we write.
Gaby: I think it’s [too] early to say whether it’s had an impact on us.

How does it feel being the heterosexual guy in the band, Louis?

I’ve never felt any difference between us!

Have you guys encountered any homophobia in the music industry?

Joseph: I don’t think so. We got lucky. Paris is very open.
Gaby: I feel like at the beginning I had to show more compared to you guys, but it’s more because I’m a girl and not because of my sexuality.

How does it feel to think of artists advised to stay in the closet 10 years ago, 20 years ago?

Louis: It’s inhuman, in a way.
Joseph: Gaby and I can live openly as gay people nowadays, and that’s because people fought for our rights in the past. We are very grateful for them and think about that all the time.

Do the three of you each have a favourite LGBTQ musician?

Joseph: Mine would be Johnny Pierce from The Drums. He comes from a very small town in the US and experienced homophobia, and had to move to New York City. I read his story and was really touched by it.
Gaby: Marika Hackman. The last album she talked a lot about female pleasure and being in relationships with girls.
Louis: I’d also say Marika Hackman.

What’s next for you guys?

Joseph: We’re desperately waiting for the vaccine so we can tour! Maybe a tour in Germany, but nothing for sure at this point.
Louis: Fingers crossed!

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