MLA Q&A || Nina Las Vegas

If you haven’t heard of Australian DJ, Nina Las Vegas, you have been missing out! Her effervescent tracks and eclectic underground sound is bringing more variety into the electronic dance scene. The Aussie absolutely smashed her 2016 Coachella debut and has just completed a successful inaugural US tour and we were fortunate to speak with her after her debut at Los Angeles’s Avalon Nightclub.

Check out our review of Nina Las Vegas’s EP “EZY or Never” HERE!

Congrats on your LA debut! How did you feel about it?

Really good, because all of my friends were there and the lineup was awesome. I’m always nervous so I kind of wish I was on a bit later.

The crowd was definitely feeling your sound but I felt like LA could have been more hype for your debut.

It’s a superclub so they were taking it all in. I think the first time they see me they’re like “Oh, alright, that’s what she does.” The first time they are watching because I don’t play sounds that people know that well but it was good. The crowd was good and full!

Photo Credit: Sean Moore Photography

How are you feeling in general about your US tour?

It’s a super short one, it’s only 4 dates. I have to stay up for another few hours then I catch the plane to New York and I was just in Chicago at the MID. My tour manager and I have been having fun though.

When I first heard your ‘EZY or Never’ EP back in April, it reminded me of Ed Banger collective. What was your overall plan and what did you want to convey to listeners?

I just wanted to put out music that I like and music I could play. I like “Contagious” and I like “EZY.” I’m still getting used to getting music out; I hate the other ones but you learn that you just have to keep at it so I’m happy.

You’re putting out music but you also have your own record label and you’re signing a lot of artists. Do you plan on signing more?

I’ve signed 7 artists and I’m done signing for this year.

How do you balance running a label and producing your own music?

For example, I might have Monday and Tuesday for just the label and the rest of the time just turn off and go into the studio for a little while. They are different head spaces and I pretend the label stuff is office stuff. I’m always on though; I don’t really get that much sleep.

You have supported other artists while at triple j, with NLV Records, and now with your new radio show. What draws you to bring these artists into the spotlight?

I want to look back on my career and be very happy and not have moments of selfishness.

Photo Credit: Sean Moore Photography

How do you feel about the representation of female DJs in electronic music?

It’s such a boring question. I think what’s missing is that hype is not given to girls because they are girls, hype is given to artists if they are good. The whole game of being an up-and-coming artist has changed and unless you’re screaming, “I’m out here making music,” which a lot of men are, biologically men are more confident, that’s all it is. I don’t think there’s a lack of women, I think people aren’t supporting them from the ground up, they are waiting for them to get big.

What do you think could support this?

More stories, more people playing the songs and sharing the music, more people retweeting, more people consigning. It’s all there, it’s just about bringing it to the front.

Want more Nina Las Vegas? Check out her monthly radio show “Collect All and Rave”, every second Friday on Red Bull Music Academy.

Follow Nina Las Vegas on Social Media:

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | SoundCloud