Dillon Francis Kind of Talks Mad Decent Block Party

Mad Decent Block Party is already celebrating its eighth edition. Started in 2008 as a way for Diplo to showcase acts on his EDM label Mad Decent, the festival has expanded to include artists outside the label, bringing stars from the world of hip-hop and EDM together under the hot sun. It has become a rite of passage for those looking to dance the night (and afternoon) away. This year's edition kicks off July 30 at Revolution Live with a roster including Canadian duo AutoErotique, electronic rappers Keys N Krates, and, of course, the boss man of Mad Decent himself, Diplo.

But it was Mad Decent's court jester Dillon Francis who took the time to answer the New Times' questions. The DJ is one-half of the comedy production duo Meowski666. It soon became obvious he was determined to answer our questions with a humorous rather than a confessional, informational, or even grammatical manner.

New Times: What makes Fort Lauderdale's Mad Decent Block Party special?
Dillon Francis: I get to hang out with all the amazing Mad Decent artists. We are a family, and the label's been there for me since day one.

What can we expect from your set at the party?
Lots and lots of dancing and fun shit. I don’t wanna spoil anything with text, so people just have to go to experience it. 

What can you tell us about the new single you have scheduled to come out in August?
It's fucking amazing and it's gonna make everyone cry of happiness and they are gonna wanna play it on repeat and sing along every day of their life for eternity.

What inspired your new song "Candy”?
Ur mom.

With those fighting words, Francis cut the correspondence short.

Others, though, have been more verbose when discussing the good times shared at a Mad Decent Block Party with its closed off streets and multiple stages of live music. Huffington Post described it as "an amalgam of music festival, blacktop hangout and street fair." Meanwhile, the Dallas Observer called it "a singular live music experience so specific to this particular moment in pop culture, so universally likable, that it's worth braving the elements."

Sounds like a good time. But when you're there, don't ruin it by asking Dillon Francis what inspires his music. 

Mad Decent Block Party with Dillon Francis, Diplo, Autoerotique, and others. Doors at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 30, at Revolution Live, 100 SW Third Ave., Fort Lauderdale; 954-449-1025; jointherevolution.net. Tickets cost $36.50 plus fees via ticketmaster.com; 16 and over.