Delesse Francis – DJ Del

Category: Interview

Delesse Francis, also known as DJ Del, is an A/V professional, DJ, and educator from Trinidad and Tobago.

Del’s creative career has included music performance, audio engineering, education and more. Currently, Del is the Auditorium Operations Officer at the Central Bank Auditorium in Port of Spain, Trinidad and radio DJ at Hott 93.5 FM. She is also the co-founder of Agendr Audio, a group established to educate and empower women and girls in the audio and AV industry.

With a passion for empowering young women and girls to become leaders in male dominated industries, let’s get to know more about A/V powerhouse, Delesse Francis – DJ Del, in 10 questions.

1) If my guess is correct, you play about 5 instruments?! Can you tell us what instruments you play and how your love for music started?

Del: Your guess is close. I have working knowledge of 6 instruments. I can play the steelpan, piano, recorder, saxophone, guitar and bass guitar, however I’m most proficient on the steelpan, piano and the saxophone. I started learning the steelpan as my first instrument as a child when my aunt had a steelpan and a book with notes to songs. After a few years, I got a keyboard and continued listening to different songs and figuring out the notes and chords. My parents also used to play a lot of music at home, mostly old calypsos, jazz and soul music, so that influenced my musical taste. I would find myself listening to and recording all sorts of music and trying to find the notes on the instruments and make mixtapes.

“My parents enrolled me in music classes since they realised that I had a natural talent for music and the rest is history”.

2) Let’s talk about formal education, Del. How necessary do you think it is for A/V professionals to be formally educated?

“Education definitely adds to the overall package as an AV professional! Even if someone learns through hands on experience, formal education complements the hands on knowledge”.

Del: There are skills and competencies that one develops through formal education like conflict management, leadership, accountability, problem solving, adaptability, etc. Even things like being able to speak and write properly are so important, especially as you climb the career ladder.

My education journey took the shape of a B.A in Musical Arts, a Post Graduate Diploma in Arts and Cultural Enterprise Management, a Certificate in Music Technology, a Certificate in Project Management (CAPM) and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA). Everything that I learned in school, I was able to apply in a practical, hands-on setting and the skills that I acquired during my education journey helped me to learn at a faster pace. I am still expanding my practical experience and learning new things daily, but my educational journey has prepared me for the challenges and the fast paced environment of the AV industry so that I am better able and adaptable to learn in the field.

3) Can you tell us about your journey to becoming DJ Del and where we can find some of your mixes/ tune in to hear you spin?

Del: My DJ journey started during University. Back then I had just learned about studio and live music production and was intrigued by the idea of it. I completed an introductory course which taught me the basics of production and was seeking ways to expand that knowledge.

“I thought to myself that if I learned to produce music, I should have control over how and when it is played and that’s where the idea of DJing was born”.

A DJ course was next on my to do list, but at the time I did it purely for fun. I started to take the idea of DJing seriously when people told me that I was skilled at it and I started to get bookings for events. Once I started to take it seriously as a viable career path, I became increasingly sought after. I was eventually approached for an internship at HOTT 93.5FM one of the top radio stations in Trinidad and Tobago in 2018 and after a few months I got my own show where I am a DJ and announcer on a weekly basis.

I am active on all social media platforms so you can find me on Youtube, Instagram ,TikTok and Facebook. My mixes are on soundcloud and mixcloud. I am in the process of properly curating my mixes so I only have a few up at the moment.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgPdpz5GGMiszumdZpuJSrA
Social Media handle (IG & TikTok) : @djdelmusic
Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/SqjAg
Mixcloud: DJ Del’s Shows | Mixcloud
Agendr Audio IG: @agendraudio

4) List 3 things about Delesse Francis that no one would be able to guess even if they scoured the internet to find it.

Del: I guess it would now be on the internet if I answer this 🙂

1- I am very quiet and am an introvert, however I am practicing being more approachable and social.
2- I listen to and enjoy almost every musical genre- from soca and chutney to classical music, jazz, soul, instrumentals- It just depends on my mood.
3- I’m very driven and hold myself to high standards. Once I set my mind on accomplishing something, I usually achieve it.

5) What was the transition from music to your role as Operations Officer at the Central Bank Auditorium like? What is it like working at the Auditorium?

Del: The transition was gradual. After University, I became a music educator at the Secondary School/ high School level so there was less time for practice. Today I consider myself a non-practicing musician

While teaching, I yearned to do something that was more in line with my educational background so I was aiming to blend my musicianship together with a live production environment, music creation and management. That opportunity came when I heard about a Technical Coordinator job opportunity at the Central Bank which entailed managing the technical requirements of the Auditorium, the AV Unit as well as the wider Bank.

I jumped at the opportunity and resigned from my teaching position in December 2019 and began my new career on January 2nd 2020. Soon after making that transition, COVID put the world in a tailspin and the Auditorium was closed, however that created so many new opportunities for me (and the rest of my team) to pivot and learn different skills. 3 years later, I was promoted to Operations Officer I, where I am responsible for overseeing both the technical and non technical aspects of the Auditorium, AV Unit and the wider Bank.

I thoroughly enjoy my job! As a Technical Coordinator, my days were extremely long and tiring, but because I enjoyed what I did, that made it easier. My days would usually start at 6am with a gym workout. The official work day starts at 8am and goes till 4pm then rehearsals would start usually from about 5pm and could go till 11pm. Weekends would be usually spent on the radio station from 12-3pm then straight to the Auditorium for shows from 5pm onward. Working at the Bank is so dynamic- You are always on your toes as requests may come at any time, but having a strong team makes it easier to manage.

Now, my days are a little shorter and a bit less hectic; the work is more administrative with the intermittent technical work so it’s been enjoyable learning about another perspective of the industry. However, I really enjoy being hands on with the equipment, so I’m always down for assisting my technicians whenever the need arises.

6) You have a passion for educating and empowering women and girls to become leaders in male dominated industries. Can you give young Caribbean women 5 tips for success in the field of A/V?

Del: I’m so passionate about this! When I was growing up (which wasn’t too long ago lol) I had to figure things out as I went along. I wished there was a person or hub I could have gone to for information or mentorship, but I wasn’t aware of the relevant networks back then.

With Agendr Audio, I aim to create a safe learning, mentoring and communication space for women and girls who are either involved in or interested in entering the audio and AV industry. Some tips I would give young Caribbean women for success in this industry are:

1. Network. Network. Network. This is something I have only now begun to take seriously (being an introvert). It also does not have to be only persons within the industry, but with persons that also in spin off industries- Film, literacy, educators, sanitation….everyone matters! Don’t underestimate anyone based on the job role they have.
2. Embrace all learning opportunities. Even if you think it does not directly relate to your job, be open to learning and experiencing new things. That knowledge may come in handy later.
3. Be open to critique and guidance. Feedback is important for your success. You are never too old to learn and improve. Everyone who got where they are started where they were.
4. Recognize your value, especially as a woman in the industry. Don’t let intimidation or fear limit your potential.
5. Establish and maintain boundaries. There may be times where people may try to intimidate you or don’t believe in your skillset. Be firm and confident, yet humble in your approach when interacting with clients and coworkers.

7) What do you want people to know about the music industry in Trinidad and Tobago as it pertains to women in the business? You can discuss women in music performance and/or behind the scenes- A/V.

Del: I think the industry in Trinidad and Tobago is pretty open to women working in the music and AV industry. There are many women as musicians and performers, however not a lot of women in technical roles or as DJs.

In the DJ space I was fortunate enough to encounter very helpful and encouraging people. Of course there were those that tried to undercut gigs or dictate what image I should market myself as, however I kept my focus clear and put in the work to reach where I am today- and I’m still working.

In the live music and technical theatre space you would of course encounter those who would try to ‘mansplain’ or not expect/ prefer to be interacting with a woman as the person in charge, but that’s in the minority. Trinidad and Tobago is a small country so I think people are mostly accommodating and encouraging, especially as a woman in the industry.

In any male dominated industry however, I think that women are judged more rigidly. Because of this we are expected to really know our stuff and we need to be confident to hold our own in the space. Sometimes, it may feel that we are representing all women in technical roles, so oftentimes, we place extra pressure on ourselves to be great at what we do.

As more women enter the industry in technical roles, I think that more inclusive language needs to be incorporated into our communication, so phrases like ‘soundman’ or ‘techguy’ could evolve to ‘sound/tech person’.

8) What creative projects are you working on currently?

Del: Currently I am working on a few projects. Getting Agendr Audio active again is a priority for me since halting activities as work got busier for everyone as we transitioned out of the COVID period.

I recently relocated my home studio, so I’m still in the process of setting up my creative space and it’s on the agenda to revisit creative projects. I am also working on a few DJ mixes to release during the year. I have a few collaborations with other creative artists in the pipeline as I feel like there aren’t enough collaborations happening in the creative industry locally. I would also like to get back in a music production frame of mind to complete some unfinished productions that I’ve been procrastinating, and I have recently started practicing the saxophone after not playing for years!

There is alot I have planned with little time, but they will get done.

9) If you had 20 seconds to go back in time and say something to your 16 years old self, what would you tell her?

“Don’t doubt yourself and learn to listen to your inner voice. Don’t let anyone deter you from your goals. Continue to stay humble and open to critique. Even if the road gets tough, which it will, keep a positive mindset and the end goal in mind. Always embody good energy and remember that God has your back!”

10)

A) What’s next for you, Del?

I’m currently aligning myself for even more growth in the industry as an AV professional. In the future I see myself as an established AV professional with a few more technical certifications under my belt. I also see myself as a thought leader and mentor to youth in the industry.

B) Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Personally, I’ll like to attempt another half marathon (my first was this year) and continue with my triathlon journey. I’ll also like to grow spiritually as I am currently expanding my spiritual and wellness practices.

“Overall, I also see myself as a better version of my current self”.

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