Nina Las Vegas
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Nina Las Vegas

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So it began, after undertaking a work experience gig at triple j, she quickly excelled and now presents the House Party slot, prime time, Saturday nights at 6pm. Continuing to proudly break rules, she professes to a love of spreading the musical message without being tied to specific genres or styles. But even coming from a background in urban music – hip hop being her great love – her output on any given day might be laced with dub, electro or even something more poppy or electronic.

It’s funny how in the music business like life, one thing leads to another – and certainly for this girl, it has been a career (so far) tempered by meaningful triumphs.  “I’d been working as a DJ for ages,” says Nina. “I’d started out doing different things like putting on parties and working behind the scenes and things; then the opportunity came up to present House Party and I put a demo together and have really just pushed on with it.”

Somewhere in between, she also helped foster an important community project with DJ Andrew Levins and superstar Diplo titled Heaps Decent. “Basically we try and give something back to the community; we run music workshops and things like that. It’s a not for profit organisation so we work with marginalised communities, indigenous children and so on. It’s something I’ve wanted to do forever and it’s something that it very, very rewarding.”

Musically, she claims it is the sounds she listens to that most influences her. “The old and new tracks I play on the radio show, really translate into what I play when I’m out,” she explains. “But then at the same time I’m inspired by my surroundings and DJs who really push boundaries.” Likewise, expect some of that inspiration to make its way onto the second House Party compilation she is working on right now. “It’s going to reflect the next phase of my life,” she says. Expect it to raise some eyebrows again – but also expect that punters will lap it up, just like they did edition one.

No less, that first House Party compilation – a double CD – features some 35 tracks and covers multiple genres from dancehall, hip hop, dub and electro.  Likewise, she admits sending out a massive wish list – much of which got cleared, which meant in turn that her dreams were answered; and justifiably so, because her musical diversity is her competitive advantage.

“You can hear anything from Skrillex to Frank Ocean in one of my sets – and probably plenty in between,” she proclaims with pride. “There’s really this gap in the market place I think for music that doesn’t fit a mould.” And while it might be an acquired taste, her approach has won her the adoration of many a fan around the country and no doubt the world.”

 

Yet despite all of this, the future for her shows plenty of promise. “I want to go into promoting and things,” she chimes. “But at the same time I don’t want to think too…” Indeed, playing club music – or even music that is more challenging or forward thinking–is her very raison d’être. “I want to play music that everyone can enjoy but I also want people to get on board when it’s a little different.

BY RK 

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