Born in Guatemala City, Francis Davila began his career as a DJ and Producer in 1998. His first approach to the electronic music scene was when he started performing his live act with a set of synthesisers and samplers in night clubs and raves. As he became more experienced with his live performances, he was exposed to the sound of house music and made it his own. He got in touch with the DJing culture and its magic and that’s when he found out, that he wanted to be part of it.

Read ahead to know what he had to tell us about his music career, how he would be a traveller if he wasn’t a DJ/Producer, having his face featured on a beer can and more!

TBB: Welcome to India. You kickstarted your tour in Mumbai last night. How was it?

Francis Davila: It was really good. The crowd was full of really cool people. It was a nice club, the place was amazing, the sound system was really good. I’m very happy to be here for the first time.

TBB: Recently, the dance music scene in India has been booming and it’s been growing rapidly. Every month we have 8-10 artists coming in and we’ve been seeing this scene grow all over the world. What’s your take on it?

Francis Davila: Well it has been growing in the last few years and it’s taking over globally, it’s everywhere – on the radio, on the TV, it’s a fact that here the same thing is happening. Yesterday I was on a plane checking a magazine and I saw that Dubfire was playing here also and I noticed a lot of things are happening here and I’m glad to be part of this.

TBB: So you started your career back in 1998 and it’s been a long  journey, can you take us through the journey from 1998 to 2013?

Francis Davila: Well it has been a long journey, I have been doing many different things. As a DJ, I have been doing this for 15 years so I’ve seen many evolutions, like movements evolving into different things. Now is a very interesting time because it is very different from the beginning scene, like the 90’s and for me it’s amazing because after 15 years I’m still here and touring.

TBB: If you weren’t a DJ; what would you be doing?

Francis Davila: Maybe a traveller and I really enjoy food so I would be doing something entertaining, definitely not a desk job. I like architecture too.

TBB: You’re considered a pioneer in Central America for electronic music, do you consider that a responsibility?

Francis Davila: Yes definitely, I’ve been here for 15 years and many things have happened. All drunk kids nowadays are just knowing things from the present and not the past. I have been trying to give people something more, like history. We have been doing documentaries down there & a lot more cool stuff so that people can know the history of music in the country.

TBB: Tell us about the Voices for Peace concert?

Francis Davila: Last year, I was invited for a massive event in my country. We had a war for 36 years in our country and it had an effect in our country and now we’re evolving and doing different things. The concept behind this is to change guns to music. This guy from Columbia invented a gun into a guitar. We had a big celebration in September and it was very cool.

TBB: Did you face any challenges or problems bringing up music in Central America?

Francis Davila: Right now it’s very different from the early days. In those days you could just be the DJ but now you have to produce and make tunes. It’s very different.

TBB: Theres a movie you made music for “La Casa de Enfrente”. How did you end up doing the score for the movie?

Francis Davila: I have been doing many things in these 15 years but 6-8 years ago I started producing music for films and did the score for about 4-5 films. It was a really cool experience and I would love to do music for Bollywood films.

TBB: You also had your face on a beer can, How did that happen?

Francis Davila: Well there is a huge Belgian-Brazilian company called Anheuser-Busch InBev, they own a lot of brands like Corona, Brahma, Leffe etc. The people there choose a representative artist from my country and then they start a tour with all of us. When they start this, they put billboards all over the city and cans with our faces. It’s a really cool thing, pretty amazing to see a can with your face on it.

TBB: You entered the Top 100 last year and now #63 this year. How does it feel? From the top 100, who’s your favourite?

Francis Davila: It’s a really cool thing because you know it’s like being part of something really important where most of the important DJ’s of the world are and it’s a really cool thing to be a Latin American artist and be part of the Top 100. There are many as DJ’s but as Producer’s I love Bingo Players. I like their music a lot and they’re one of my favourites.

TBB: You’ve mentioned the Dance capital has now moved to Vegas, do you think it will ever move to Central America?

Francis Davila: Well it’s all over but I think Vegas is a very important place because the DJ’s are stars now. I was there last year, Tiesto and Steve Angello were playing on the same day and then the next day Afrojack and Aoki were playing on the same day. Thats just one weekend. Many things are happening there. In Latin America, there are a lot of things happening as well. Like in Guatemala which is one of the most visited places by DJ’s, we also have some massive events happening.

TBB: When you play to the crowd, do you assess the crowd or do you have a fixed playlist?

Francis Davila: I have a set of folders in my USB which I’m travelling with now along with my headphones and it’s a really cool thing to do cause it’s easier. I have many folders with different music, but I never know what I’m gonna play. Like yesterday I was thinking of the intro track, but when I entered the club it was a different feel so I played a different intro track. I don’t like to be prepared, I have to feel the vibe of the people.

TBB: What are your top 3 bangin tracks?

Francis Davila: Showtek’s, “Cannonball” is amazing. Then there is “Lift Off” by W&W which I made a mashup of with one of my tracks. Daddy’s Groove are also releasing some great stuff, I’m in love with their track “Pimp”.

TBB: We saw you take a lot of pictures in India. Do you think you’ll derive any musical inspiration from India which you’ll take back?

Francis Davila: Definitely, since I was young I felt a very big attraction towards the Indian culture and their amazing places. I always wanted to go to the Taj Mahal and it was like a dream come true. Everything behind this antique culture is beautiful and mystical. All these vibes and energy will go back with me.

TBB: Have you heard any electronic music made by Indian artists?

Francis Davila: Well yeah we have had Goa Gil in our country many times. He’s played 3 days non-stop there and I know him & his music, he is like a guru and is a big influence to many people.

TBB: Any final message to your fans in India?

Francis Davila: I am really happy to be here. I love your country and I love your food. Your people are very kind. I have been treated really well and I have enjoyed lot. There are many cities here and I’d like to come back again.

TBB: We’d love to have you back, Thanks for having us.

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Special thanks to Ace Accentuating Events!

Follow Francis Davila on: Facebook | Twitter | Website | Beatport.

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