Haitian-born Francis Mercier, Deep Root Records’ founder and label boss, is a force behind the NYC House Music scene as one of its most popular producers/DJs. Francis produces and performs different facets of house music merging classic, melodic, and tech house with Afro and soulful influences.
He is also versed with deeper, Afro/tribal house under his other alias, Emvafaya. His flair, originality, and stage presence have gained him access to some of the most coveted stages in NY such as Marquee, Lavo, Webster Hall, Pacha, and Output, and in European cities such as Munich, Zurich, Lisbon, Belgrade, Stockholm, and Paris where he frequently performs.
What inspired this last release ‘Sete’?
The desire to breathe new life into one of my favorite African duos of all time, Amadou & Mariam. Together with Blond:ish, we wanted to create a fun, summer dance anthem that had the cross-over appeal to spread the newfound rise of Afro House.
What is something you can’t live without?
I cannot live without music. It is my conduit to escape the fast-paced and hectic lifestyle of being an artist. When I am creating music or performing live, all of my thoughts and stresses dissolve into nothing, and I am in a complete and utter state of peace.
What’s your favorite thing to do besides music?
I love playing soccer. Ever since I was a young child in my hometown of Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, I have played soccer my entire life. It is the world’s favorite sport for a reason – the competitiveness and joy it brings to me and so many other people around the globe is truly something special.
What’s a record or artist that shaped your creativity?
Black Coffee has really shaped my musical creativity. He has shown me that whatever music I make, ensures it is beautiful and comes from the heart instead of conforming to popular genre trends.
Who is an artist or band you look up to today?
I really loop up to Diplo for his open-mindedness and uncustomary creative independence. He releases all sorts of music, from hip hop to dance to pop, and even though my intentions are more narrow to stay within the dance genre, I applaud his musical diversity to just make good music.
What excites you the most about what you do?
Being able to create new music and share it with as many people as possible around the globe – via DSPs and touring. Music is humanity’s most prestigious invention/accomplishment, and to be able to effectively contribute to this timeless creation or ours, is very exciting.
