14 FAKTS INTERVIEW WITHFRANCIS DE SIMONE

Francis De Simone debuts on Nicole Moudaber’s MoodCollective with the ‘Good Vibes’ EP. De Simone has a background in jazz, rock, pop, funk, R&B, and Latin music, all of which feed directly into his dancefloor-focused releases on labels including Desolat, Cutting Headz, Mindshake Records, Hot Creations, and Solid Grooves.

The ‘Good Vibes’ EP by Francis De Simone starts off with ‘Difacil Rap’, which sets the pace with rolling kicks and a sun-soaked tech house groove, driven by Latin vocal lines and linear, loopy momentum. Smart filter work, squeaking synth details, and tropical percussion add texture as the energy steadily builds. ‘Hands On Fire’ loosens things up with swinging bass, hip-hop vocal snippets, and sweeping synth bursts, delivering a bold, body-moving rhythm built for peak-time fun. Closing track ‘Only Good Vibes’ leans into bold drums and bass, pairing tightly woven Latin melodies with R&B-tinged vocal hooks to round out the EP with an uplifting, outdoor-ready feel.

Q: Please introduce yourself

Hello everyone, my name is Francis De Simone, I’m a DJ and producer from Palermo, Italy. Music has always been a big part of my life. I started playing drums when I was just two years old, which shaped my sense of rhythm and groove from a very early age.

Over the last five years I’ve been fully dedicated to electronic music, both as a DJ and as a producer. I’ve been lucky enough to release music on some great labels and to keep developing my sound, which is strongly influenced by groove, percussion and the energy of the dancefloor.

Outside of music I’m a big animal lover. I enjoy simple things like having an aperitivo with friends or spending time with my dog, which helps me stay balanced and inspired. Without to forget my big love (THE DRUM) playing around Europe with my band. 

Q: One person you'd dream to have a coffee with?

I would love to have coffee with Jamiroquai. They literally changed my perception of music. I adore their style and their groove. It would definitely be a source of inspiration for me to have a chat with them. 

Q: If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

I think teleportation would be the perfect superpower. As a DJ you are constantly traveling, and sometimes you spend more time in airports than actually playing music. Being able to instantly teleport to gigs around the world would make life much easier and leave more time for music and creativity.

Q: If you would have been given the chance to do a film score, what movie would you choose and why?

I would love to work on the future Stranger Things movie (if it gets made). I LOVE those 80s sounds. 

Q: Who influenced you the most in your music career and why?

I've definitely had many influences during my musical journey, I basically come from a drumming background, where I specialized in Latin Funk, but I've also played rock, metal, jazz, modern classic pop, and many other styles. I have been playing in a rock band for many years, where we have just recorded an album and continue to pursue this passion together.

When it comes to electronic music, I've definitely been influenced a lot by Kerry Chandler, Todd Terry, The Martinez Brothers and Marco Carola, both for their sound and their way of creating groove. 

Q: Tell us about your journey, what got you to where you are today?

My journey started with drums. Growing up as a drummer helped me develop a very strong connection with rhythm. Later on I discovered electronic music and DJing and I immediately fell in love with the idea of creating grooves that could move people on the dancefloor.

About five years ago I started focusing seriously on music production. Step by step I improved my sound, released tracks on several labels and kept learning from every experience. It’s been a long process of dedication, passion and constant growth.

Q: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone just starting out their career in music?

First of all, I'm not in a position to give anyone advice. But if I have to my advice is: be patient and consistent. In music things rarely happen overnight. Focus on developing your own sound, learn every day and don’t compare yourself too much with others. Authenticity and persistence always pay off in the long run.

Q: Can you recall a DJ set or performance of yours that remains unforgettable to you? Where did it take place, and what makes it stand out among all others?

One of the most incredible sets I remember was playing at Superclub in Lima (Perù). I was playing before Loco Dice so I had a lot of responsibility, but as we know, South American people have a great party spirit and I was shocked by this. I immediately connected with the crowd and we had a lot of fun.

Q: How has your music style evolved over the years?

At the beginning I was experimenting a lot with different styles of house and techno. Over time I started to focus more on groove-driven tracks with strong percussion and hypnotic elements. My background as a drummer definitely influences the way I approach rhythm and arrangement.

Q: If you were to venture into another music genre, which one would you choose and why?

I would probably explore jazz. Jazz musicians have an incredible sense of improvisation and musical freedom, and I think that mindset could translate in a very interesting way into electronic music production.

Q: Could you name 3 tracks that got you into electronic music and why?

Three tracks that have inspired me greatly are:

1- Bass Ibellini - Thats Right. An incredible track, I think even my grandmother would dance to it.

2- Kerry Chandler - Atmospheric Beats. I could listen to this track over and over again. I often listen to it while watching a beautiful sunset by the sea. I think it's the perfect combination of mood and music.

3- George Smeddless - Love. I think this track is unrivaled in terms of groove, precision, color, and musicality. I often include it in my sets.

Q: Can you recommend a hidden gem in your home country that would be perfect for a rave?

A perfect rave location in my country would be somewhere in Sicily, maybe close to the sea with a view of Mount Etna. The contrast between nature, the volcano and electronic music would create a very unique atmosphere.

Q: Could you tell us about your upcoming releases and plans for the year?

This week I’m very excited about the release of my new three-track EP on Mood Collective. The project represents a new step in my sound, focused on groove, rhythm and strong dancefloor energy.

Next month I will have another release with Moodchild by Manda Moor, and I am very happy about this release too. It will be in vinyl.

The rest of the year I’m working on new music and collaborations, as well as playing more shows and continuing to develop my artistic identity. My goal is simply to keep evolving and sharing my music with more people around the world.

Q: Can you share a fun fact about yourself that most of your listeners are probably unaware of?

I usually move around in my sleep. One day, while I was sleeping at the home of some musician friends (during my band's tour in Switzerland), they caught me banging my hands on the pillows while I was asleep... The scary thing is that I was reproducing meaningful beats.