Terry Francis is a DJ and producer from Epsom, England, born in 1966. He is associated with house, techno, tech house, minimal and deep house, and he works closely with the Wiggle label and related circles in London’s club scene.

Background

Francis begins collecting music in childhood and teenage years, moving from the records his parents play to soul, Motown, rock, dub reggae, funk, disco and early house. He says he is more interested in dancing and rhythm than in school, and that he learns music largely on his own. A cha-cha class in childhood gives him an early connection to dance, and he later describes that as the start of his sense of rhythm.

Early DJ work

He starts experimenting with mixing by wiring two tape decks together as a teenager. After getting his first decks at around 19 or 20, he teaches himself to DJ and begins playing in a friend’s bar in Leatherhead, initially to a sceptical rock crowd. He also works at Swag Records in Croydon for seven years, which becomes another part of his musical life.

Career and recognition

Francis becomes more widely known after winning the Muzik Award in 1997, which he sees as a turning point in his profile as a DJ. He is also a resident at Fabric in London, where he plays in different rooms and values the club’s support and flexibility. He describes the smaller rooms as allowing a deeper style of set and notes the contrast between the main room and the more house-focused spaces.

Production and collaborations

He works on releases for Wiggle and other labels around him, and he mentions further work with the Strangeweather crew, involving Hans and Nils from London’s Eukatech record label and others. The verified details also place him in a number of associated acts and projects, including Morgan Stu, Jozlin Bones, No More Excuses, We Sold Our Soul, Three, G.L.F., 2 Smokin’ Barrels, Housey Doingz, Wiggle and The Delinquents.

Style and influences

Francis’s musical taste develops through early soul and Motown, then rock artists such as Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin, dub reggae, funk, old disco records and early house. He also cites records such as “Can You Feel It?” and early Blaze material among the music that draws him into house. His work sits within the house and techno spectrum, with an emphasis on deep, flexible club sets.

Personal life

He mentions his partner Claire, along with their children and cats, in passing when discussing his life outside DJing.