Salt Lake City born and raised Antuane Walker has always pushed through life with an eye on perfecting his musical craft. Soon after touching college, he adopted the name Fransis Derelle, but it wasn’t until 2015 until the newly established star hit his break-through. Sticking with strong persistence, Derelle was announced the winner of Insomniac’s Discovery Project for Countdown after nominating himself four times prior.
Since receiving the golden ticket, Fransis Derelle has continued to thrive. He has now found and mastered his distinct style throughout all genres of electronic dance music while also creating a secure hook into the hip-hop scene. The single “Fly” has become a heavy recognized song of his. Other remixes and original productions of his have also been acknowledged and brought to the public eye by artists such as Tiesto, Adventure Club, Tommy Trash, Laidback Luke, Thomas Gold, and more.
Check out our exclusive interview with Francis Derelle below.
This is thatDROP with Fransis Derelle, say what’s up!
Hey guys, what’s up?
You just performed a set at Gold Rush. Was that your first time playing in Arizona?
Pretty much, yea. I came for Decadence, but I was here mostly supporting Kill Paris.
In a previous interview, you characterized your music as “automated”. Describe your style in words other than that.
Random, loodie and natural. I like where I am at with that. I want to keep consistent with the natural sounds. I feel like fans like that and are really into that now.
Who is one artist you really look up to and inspire to be like?
Kaskade. I used to travel everywhere to see him perform. His name could pop up in a lineup in California, and I would be like “Well, looks like I am going to California.” He is doing a Christmas album which is cool because not many artists are doing that, but yea, I love Kaskade.
Listen to “Fly” below:
For Imagine Fest, you brought your mom on stage. Tell us about your relationship with her.
I can be considered a momma’s boy. I’m the youngest, so it kind of comes with that. She actually had no clue that she was coming out on stage, but she did it. She says it was one of the best moments of her life; that made me happy. I love my mom, I love both of my parents. They have always supported me and my music. I was nervous to tell them I dropped out of college to pursue a career as a DJ, but they were okay with it. They always share my stuff.
At what point did you decide you needed to drop out of college and focus on music? What brought you to that point?
It was EDC 2014. I was about 21 years old. I was in a crowd with all of my best friends and we were at Bass Pod, and I actually heard him playing one of my songs. I actually didn’t realize it at first but my brother did. At that moment, I was like well people at EDC are already playing my stuff, why not try and do it on my own. Before that though, I wanted to be a physical therapist. My mom had a stroke, so she had a physical therapist. Basically, I wanted to be someone who could help my mom.
Check out this quick recap of his live sets:
You stuck strong with your persistency and entered the Insomniac Discovery Project for Countdown four times before winning it. What did you do differently this time? Who was the first person you called?
Honestly, nothing. I did it super low key this time, and I got a call from California and they said I won. I called my brother, my friends, and then my parents. Everyone was super excited for me. I found out about five days before I had to play at a festival, and my friend actually dropped everything that he was doing to come with me to the festival and watch me play. That was the first time the name Fransis Derelle really meant anything.
What do you think is the hardest part about making a new song?
Definitely the drop. I can make intros for days, but when it comes to the drop, I leave it and work on something else. I hate making the drop.
Fransis continues to bring a style of high energy and melodic music to the world.
Are you a Spotify or SoundCloud person? How did you react when SoundCloud almost shut down this last June?
If you want to make a living you need to stick with Spotify, but I am a SoundCloud guy. That’s where I started out. SoundCloud dying has been a rumor for three years, I never really believed in that rumor. It’s not going anywhere. If something did happen to it, I have been building my Spotify and Apple playlists, so I would just jump on that, but I can’t see SoundCloud going anywhere.
What is a festival that you would love to play at that you haven’t before?
I want to officially perform at EDC. My music has been played there, but I haven’t officially performed there, so I would love to make that happen. I have been going to EDC every year since 2011 so being there is normal for me. I’m hoping it will happen, but it’ll take a little while if that opportunity ever comes up.
Turn up the volume to his new single “Bang” below:
Do you have any good luck charms or things you do before a set?
No, not really. I just go up there and do it. I never get nervous or choke which surprises a lot of people actually, because I never plan a set. I never even know what the first song I’m playing is until I get a feel of the crowd a bit.
Give your fans one message.
Thank you guys for following me and I’m looking forward to branching out with you guys more with the New Year coming up.
Fransis Derelle hinted big with the 2018 year. New music, tour dates and collaborations – we hope!
