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Elevated Frequencies

Elevated Frequencies

How Francis Mercier went from Frat Parties to Selling Out Clubs Worldwide | EF EP 154

Jun 4, 2026 · 48 min · 11 segments

From a perfect SAT math score to a residency at Hï Ibiza, Francis Mercier built his career on networking, not luck. Olivia Mancuso sits down with Francis Mercier, the Haitian DJ, producer, and Deep…

From a perfect SAT math score to a residency at Hï Ibiza, Francis Mercier built his career on networking, not luck. Olivia Mancuso sits down with Francis Mercier, the Haitian DJ, producer, and Deep Root Records founder. He breaks down spinning $300 frat parties at Brown and throwing his own New York parties when no club would book him yet. Francis also shares the seven-year grind to earn a major artist's recognition, and why connecting with people beats raw studio talent. For any DJ or producer, it is a real blueprint on networking, resilience, and timing your move to a music city. 👉 Want personalized guidance on your music career? Book a one-on-one consultation with Olivia on GreenRoom where you can get tailored advice on branding, business strategy, and sustainable career growth 👉 Instagram: @oliviamancuso\\ 👉 Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx

From a perfect SAT math score to a residency at Hï Ibiza, Francis Mercier built his career on networking, not luck. Olivia Mancuso sits down with Francis Mercier, the Haitian DJ, producer, and Deep…

Speakers: Francis MercierGuestOlivia MancusoHost

Top entities: New York×42 Facebook×17 Francis Mercier×8 Providence×11 SAT×2

Cold-open: First Frat Gigs & New-York Dreams0:00 – 0:53

Francis MercierGuest

0:00

I reached out to some fraternities.

Francis MercierGuest

0:01

I was like, "Hey, guys," like, "do you need a DJ?" People were like, "Okay, yeah.

Francis MercierGuest

0:05

Sure, we need a DJ.

Francis MercierGuest

0:07

We have a budget, $300." I was like, "This is a lot.

Francis MercierGuest

0:10

That's so good," you know? Coming from Haiti and looking back 20 years ago, $300 is a lot.

Francis MercierGuest

0:17

And I was like, "Okay, this is great, but I wanna grow from this.

Francis MercierGuest

0:20

I wanna be able to potentially DJ in New York, potentially DJ in a club in Providence, not a frat party." So I went to New York, and I was like, "Man, how am I gonna play?" You know, New York is city of dreams-

O

Olivia MancusoHost

0:31

Right

Francis MercierGuest

0:31

... city of opportunity, 100%, but it's a city that has everything, so there's many DJs, every club is busy, every place is sold out.

Francis MercierGuest

0:38

It was very tough to, like, get access to a venue.

Francis MercierGuest

0:40

So what I did is I said, "Okay, you know what? I'm just, I'm just gonna throw my own party." So I built a network really fast, and I did my second party.

Francis MercierGuest

0:47

It was a success.

Francis MercierGuest

0:48

And slowly, clubs started to, like, hear about me, and I got access to a bigger club.

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New YorkCityCity in New York State
99%42 mentions
FacebookSoftware ApplicationSocial networking service
98%17 mentions
Francis MercierEntityHaitian DJ
97%8 mentions
ProvidenceCityCity in Rhode Island
95%11 mentions
SATEntityAdmissions test
94%2 mentions
DiploPersonAmerican DJ and record producer
93%6 mentions
IbizaLandmarkIsland in the Mediterranean Sea
91%9 mentions
disc jockeyEntity
90%4 mentions
Jim FixxPersonAuthor
89%1 mention
HaitiCountryCountry in the Caribbean
87%23 mentions
World musicEntityMusical style
86%1 mention
United StatesCountryCountry in North America
85%6 mentions
College fraternities and sororitiesEntityOrganization type
83%1 mention
ATBPersonGerman DJ
82%3 mentions
PodcastEntity
81%1 mention
CollegeEntitySchool category
79%1 mention
MiamiCityCity in Florida
78%6 mentions
SpliceWebsite
77%1 mention
EuropeContinentContinent
75%4 mentions
Armin van BuurenPersonDutch DJ and musician
74%2 mentions
The Coca-Cola CompanyCompanyDrink company
73%1 mention
MontrealCityCity in Québec, Canada
71%4 mentions
In Search of SunriseMusic AlbumCompilation album by Tiësto
70%2 mentions
Virtual Studio TechnologySoftware ApplicationSoftware
69%4 mentions
TiëstoPersonDutch DJ and record producer
67%7 mentions
KamiliEntitySong by FRANCIS MERCIER, Idd Aziz, and Nitefreak
66%1 mention
DubaiCityCity in the United Arab Emirates
65%2 mentions
PachaBar or PubEntertainment company
63%1 mention
shoeEntityShoe
62%7 mentions
InstagramSoftware ApplicationSocial networking service
61%4 mentions
FranceCountryCountry in Europe
59%2 mentions
United KingdomCountryCountry in Europe
58%1 mention
NaïkaPersonAmerican singer-songwriter
57%1 mention
Miami Music WeekEntityMusical event
55%2 mentions
EnglishEntitySpoken language
54%2 mentions
PAUL VAN DYKPersonGerman DJ and record producer
53%2 mentions
Hammerstein BallroomEntityTheater in New York
51%1 mention
Ghost Town DJ'sMusic GroupHip hop group
50%1 mention
East Coast of the United StatesPlaceRegion in the United States of America
49%1 mention
SpanishLanguageSpoken language
47%1 mention
SpainCountryCountry
46%1 mention
Rhode IslandAdministrative AreaUS state
45%1 mention
ManhattanAdministrative AreaBoroughs of New York City
43%1 mention
Meatpacking DistrictLandmarkNeighborhood in New York
42%1 mention
Central ParkLandmarkPark in New York
41%1 mention
Jack ÜMusic GroupElectronic duo
39%2 mentions
CDJEntity
38%2 mentions
Andrea OlivaPersonDJ
37%1 mention
Coachella Valley Music and Arts FestivalTourist AttractionMusic festival
35%1 mention
John SummitPersonAmerican DJ and record producer
34%1 mention

Music IndustryEntertainment
ResidenciesEvents > Music Festivals
Haitian CultureCulture
Networking SkillsPersonal Development > Career Growth
Live PerformancesMusic > DJing > Electronic Music
Career GrowthPersonal Development
Electronic MusicMusic > DJing
Personal Development
DJingMusic
NetworkingEntertainment > Music Industry > DJ Culture
Cultural RepresentationMusic > DJing > Electronic Music > Live Performances
Event PromotionEntertainment > Music Industry > DJ Culture > Networking
MulticulturalismCulture > Haitian Culture
Music as an EscapeCulture > Haitian Culture > Multiculturalism
Cultural IdentityCulture > Haitian Culture > Multiculturalism > Music as an Escape
ResiliencePersonal Development > Career Growth > Networking Skills
Cultural HeritagePersonal Development > Career Growth > Networking Skills > Resilience
Cultural EventsEvents > Music Festivals > Residencies
Live ShowsEvents > Music Festivals > Residencies > Cultural Events
Music
Entertainment
Events
Culture
Music FestivalsEvents
DJ CultureEntertainment > Music Industry

Cold-open: First Frat Gigs & New-York Dreams0:00 – 0:53

Francis MercierGuest

0:00

I reached out to some fraternities.

Francis MercierGuest

0:01

I was like, "Hey, guys," like, "do you need a DJ?" People were like, "Okay, yeah.

Francis MercierGuest

0:05

Sure, we need a DJ.

Francis MercierGuest

0:07

We have a budget, $300." I was like, "This is a lot.

Francis MercierGuest

0:10

That's so good," you know? Coming from Haiti and looking back 20 years ago, $300 is a lot.

Francis MercierGuest

0:17

And I was like, "Okay, this is great, but I wanna grow from this.

Francis MercierGuest

0:20

I wanna be able to potentially DJ in New York, potentially DJ in a club in Providence, not a frat party." So I went to New York, and I was like, "Man, how am I gonna play?" You know, New York is city of dreams-

O

Olivia MancusoHost

0:31

Right

Francis MercierGuest

0:31

... city of opportunity, 100%, but it's a city that has everything, so there's many DJs, every club is busy, every place is sold out.

Francis MercierGuest

0:38

It was very tough to, like, get access to a venue.

Francis MercierGuest

0:40

So what I did is I said, "Okay, you know what? I'm just, I'm just gonna throw my own party." So I built a network really fast, and I did my second party.

Francis MercierGuest

0:47

It was a success.

Francis MercierGuest

0:48

And slowly, clubs started to, like, hear about me, and I got access to a bigger club.