Dillion Francis Talks RC Cola, George Clooney, Sketchy Crowds & More [Interview]

One of, if not the largest, personalities in dance music is none other than Dillion Francis. The moombahton star routinely puts himself into hysterical situations that fans constantly rally behind. Just listing some of the ventures Francis undertook over the past few years is something to laugh about.

From his campaign to host SNL, the birth of alter ego DJ Hanzel and his piñata sidekick Gerald, his various snapchat rants, or his creation of a comedy duo called “Meowski666” with fellow DJ Kill The Noise, Dillon Francis proved his brand is just as valuable as his music. It’s always been a dream of mine to sit down with Dillion and pick his mind, so during his latest stop in New Orleans for the Voodoo Music & Arts Project, I did just that.

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RTT: Welcome back to Nola man!

Dillon Francis:  Thanks, man! Glad to be here!

I’m pretty pumped for your set tonight.

Oh….well you shouldn’t be. You definitely should not be pumped for my set.

First off, I just want to apologize for all of New Orleans for the RC Cola can to the face. I know that was a few years ago, but we just want to say a collective sorry.

Haha….Oh man. The RC Cola. I accept your apology on behalf of New Orleans. I actually drank that can after it hit me.

So is that the reason we haven’t seen you back in New Orleans?

No! Not at all. I love New Orleans. I’m glad to be back. I just don’t think its worked out with my schedule. I’ll be playing with a helmet on stage tonight, just to make sure though.

Who the hell drinks RC Cola anyway?

Serious wtf was that? Drink a Coke! Fucking RC Cola.

So it was just recently your 30th birthday, so happy belated first of all. But my question is: how are you feeling? Have you had a mid-life crisis? Is dance music keeping you young? What’s on your mind?

I started working on music when I was 21 years old, so it’s kinda nuts to think I’ve been at this for almost ten years now. I used to be the kid saying “Omg I love your music” to other artists, and now that’s me. People tell me that almost every day. But also, it feels great. My beard is fuller, my wrinkles look more distinguished, and I feel like I’ll be turning into George Clooney very soon.

You’ve been around dance music for a while now. It’s interesting to see the rise of so many different sub-genres become popular. What do you think is the biggest change you have seen in EDM since your early days?

Ya know, when moombahton came around it was super inspiring, so that led people to try to mimic that sound. I think that is a super popular habit. Like when Floss made that “Original Don” remix, that became the sound for a long time. I mean, David Guetta now opens his sets with dubstep. I never thought that would happen, so it’s been interesting to see all these trends in dance music.

Congrats on finishing season 1 of “What Would Diplo Do.” I feel like you are a natural at acting; your character just fit in so well. Do you see yourself acting more in the future?

Totally man. I love it. I think I’ll probably stay away from the kids still until I’m at least 40 years old. But, I think being a famous DJ just gives me the confidence to act. I still had to audition for “What Would Diplo Do.” I actually did it at Mad Decent Block Party with James Van Der Beek. It was nuts. I probably got that part a little easier than most, but who cares.

I think your whole aesthetic just kinda fits that part. You are perfect for the show and for that role. Speaking of Characters, what is funny to you right now in the EDM scene?

It’s time for a new Dillion Francis character. I mean, there are so many DJ’s with helmets. Nothing against Marshmello, but it’s crazy how many people are trying this masked looked. I think I recently saw a guy wearing a chicken head? Who wears a chicken head? I think my picture of myself wearing the cone on my head speaks for itself.

Staying in this sort of goofy Hollywood EDM scene, you’ve done two legendary Youtube interviews via ‘Hot Ones’ and ‘Nardwuar.’ Can you just talk about those experiences? How cool was that?

The ‘Hot Ones’ interview is my favorite, man. I feel like that is the new version of Nardwuar. The idea of eating hot wings while being interviewed is freakin genius. That atomic sauce was such a piece of shit. Would 10/10 recommend doing that again.

How were you in the bathroom later?

Surprisingly good. My asshole actually did not catch fire.

So let’s wrap this up with some quick fun and easy questions. If you had to curate your own music festival, who would your three headliners?

Me, Diplo, and Post Malone, and Yung Pinch. Sorry, that’s four.

How do you wanna leave your mark on dance music?

I hope my next album does that. I’ve been working on it for almost a year. I think it will show a balance between those that crave constant drops, and those that need something else. That was kinda the vibe I was going for with “Hello There.”

Best place for food on the road?

The entire fucking country of Austria.

Best crowds you have seen?

South America has some amazing crowds.

Sketchiest crowds? Ones that gave off some weird vibes.

Fuck I don’t know. My manager is whispering Helsinki, so let’s go with that.

And finally, what’s next for Dillion Francis?

I want to win a damn Grammy! I want to host SNL, and be in a feature film one day.

Thanks for sitting down with me! Before you head out on that stage, what should those who have not seen a Dillion Francis set expect from you tonight?

My visuals are out of this world. Just me playing my own music really makes me stand out, and I’m really going to try to create a gigantic house party. I think that’s been my goal since I started this whole thing. Hopefully they are ready for a party!

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Dillion Francis Talks RC Cola, George Clooney, Sketchy Crowds & More [Interview]