“Agents and promoters need to be bold and not make a big deal – if a support slot is going to someone with tiny following, then give it to a girl…”

Nina Las Vegas is an insanely talented Australian DJ and producer. She’s an influential music tastemaker on the music circuit for a number of years as a radio host on Triple J, touring internationally and searching for cool acts all over the world. She recently put out some of her own music with Swick and is preparing to go on tour once again. Lauren Engel hangs out with Nina in the heart of Sydney snapping pics and chats about her recent songs and the industry. Cool Sports EP with Swick out now on Fool’s Gold.

Photographer: Lauren Engel www.instagram.com/engelauren
Stylist: Laura Cave www.instagram.com/lauralestyle
MUA/assistant stylist: Lauren Morris www.instagram.com/theblkcanvas

What inspired you to create your recent track with Swick and how did that come about?
I was starting to make stuff on my own, but I needed help mixing and generally produce better sounds. Swick and I just clicked – he’s the only person who has exactly the same taste. We started about a year ago, and I love what made and what we’re currently working on together.

Did you produce much before then?
I’ve been working on Ableton for years. I use it to mix my radio shows, before that I used Protools. Before this last year, I had remixes of my own out and was making more bootlegs and uploading them to soundcloud. I was conscious I needed to spend more time in the studio to get better, which is why I stopped working on triple j’s House Party show.

You had a predominately female lineup for SXSW, what inspired you?
I hate that it takes you screaming to say that you are doing cool stuff for women in EDM. Generally, there needs to be awareness of cool shit already happening to change the overall perception. People at Pitchfork and blogs have a lot of pull, so they just need help create a ‘positive’ hype.

What other ways you believe could change the industry?
There needs to be more confidence and trust. People need to take risks and give more spots to women. Agents and promoters need to be bold and not make a big deal – if a support slot is going to someone with tiny following, then give it to a girl.

 dress – August Street

Do you see places around the world like Europe/America/Australia pushing females more?
America definitely needs more women – there’s a celebrity status for Skrillex and Diplo, you know… if there is a female version, more people will look up to that. Hopefully Allison Wonderland will inspire a bunch of girls to make music. She’s currently pulling more people than any male right now. I don’t even know any international acts that can sell as many tickets as she can right now – this is her moment.

And other females internationally?
There’s a young writer and music curator from Brisbane – Kristy Barker who writes one of the best music blogs. I would also love to see what young Mark Johns does. Catlips from the Pilerats crew in Perth is on fire right now, also in Perth is Tina Says. I’m all about Nidia Minaj too… Not forgetting to mention all the usual impressive producers like Anna Lunoe, Louisahhh!, Ikonika, UNIIQU3, Jubilee, Asma from Nguzunguzu… the list goes on.

Mark Johns is definitely going to do big things! There is a lot of female musicians out in LA right now, who do you have your eye on?
Mija is interesting, I only heard of her until this year and now she is everywhere. Go girl!

I know right?! She has been around, I was reading her old interviews, she used to do lots of raves in Pheonix. 
That’s why I think Skrillex loves her, she needs to be seen. He should do that to five more women. It’s so hard in Australia – it’s hard to be female/singer/songwriter. Major labels here don’t have money like Beyonce money. It’s super hard to be underground too. Look at Maya Jane Cole – she had a sample in the Nicki album. I want to see Nicole Miller here in Australia to put out something cool, I want to see Elizabeth Rose smash it with her LP, Zuri (Akoko)… can’t wait to see original material… And obviously there’s Tkay (Maidza) and George Maple makes a lot of her own beats too so it be great to see her nail it.

And for males internationally?
Obviously I care so much for Swick – he’s doing an EP right now – he has such an interesting sound. The song Flume recently put out, it’s so cool, I love the end part.

That video, man!
Especially when it drops and the noises come in, that’s what I want to hear more of. I really like the start of it, it’s a brave move, and not that it’s just a big trap song. I’m excited about Hudmo’s new album, I love the nostalgia in Jamie xx’s record, I love the Rytmeklubben gang. New S-Type in the works, new Joseph Marinetti. There’s also CZ – from LA.

He started out from doing trap?
He did grimey and trap stuff but his beats are so interesting. Djemba and him work together, I love them. I love Baauer – his album should be really cool. There’s also newer kids – Air Max ’97, Strict Face, Victoria Kim, Cosmos Midnight on their next release.

Last question, how did you get mistaken for Moofy in the beginning?!
(Laughs) I was getting tagged in these photos maybe 3 or 4 times, people asking is this you?? I was like noooo…

Were you surprised?
No I mean I can kind of see it, then she hit me up, and she doesn’t look anything like me. She’s a topless model. All my friends googled her and kept sending me topless pictures of her.

Haha ya I saw her comment on your pictures
Ya she’s owning it, she promos my tracks now!’

ninalasvegas.com
soundcloud.com/ninalasvegas
www.facebook.com/ninalasvegas
www.instagram.com/ninalasvegas

Top – Ksubi

Top, Leggings and jacket – Adidas originals

Top – Mink Pink

Photographer: Lauren Engel www.instagram.com/engelauren
Stylist: Laura Cave www.instagram.com/lauralestyle
MUA/assistant stylist: Lauren Morris www.instagram.com/theblkcanvas