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Live Review: NLV Records Signees Lewis Cancut & Air Max '97 Debut Music

2 November 2015 | 1:54 pm | Caitlin Medcalf

We've been given the first taste of what's to come with NLV Records, courtesy of Lewis Cancut and Air Max '97.

Aside from being the former host of Triple J's Mix Up Exclusives, Nina Las Vegas has done some huge, huge work here in Aus to bolster and establish local and international acts here on our shores.

Through her international editions of her NLV presents series, she's given us the op to see acts like Djemba Djemba, UNiiQU3, Eclair Fifi, Sam Tiba and heaps more. And through her Australian editions, she's given local artists the opportunity to take their sounds on the road and deliver them to huge crowds.

She's taking the next step in her career, and has worked tirelessly to establish what is now NLV Records. Just last week, she announced the first five acts on the roster - her good friend and previous collaborator SwickAir Max '97Lewis CancutStrict Face and Nina herself.

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Not only will she be heading this label, but she'll be releasing solo tracks too; something she hasn't done too much of in the past.

Personally, I see this huge announcement as such a huge progressive step in the dance music industry. There's such a huge imbalance of gender representation, and I guess with that comes widespread misrepresentation. Nina Las Vegas isn't just a prominent figure here in Aus because of her time at Triple J. She's prominent worldwide because she's a hardworking boss with everything to gain and nothing to lose, and it's great to see such a strong woman in such a public position.

We've been given the first taste of what's to come with NLV Records, courtesy of Lewis Cancut and Air Max '97.

Lewis Cancut has definitely started this run with a huge bang. 'Systems' is the tech slice of percussive house we needed to hear. It's got a wonderful blend of glitchy glass-like synths that chime harmoniously. That bassline keeps this one pumping, however.

It pulsates furiously throughout the duration of this one, and reverts very aptly to a more deep, heavy sound when the hook hits. Tropical beats are aplenty in this one too, but I particularly like the contrast between the tech melody and the tropical sounds.

Air Max '97 on the other hand, lets loose in his track 'Passage'. It's industrial, oblique and incredibly forthcoming with its direction. He's always tended to have a sound that skirts particular genres, but he's again, very hard to pigeonhole.

The strings featured in this one work so well in establishing a rather sombre, hyperactive mood. It's not a particularly fast track, but there's something about it that makes it feel so urgent. I guess it could be the clunkiness of the well-oiled mechanical machinery he's worked to put into sound.

Nina Las Vegas is a self described #girlboss. There's no negating this one, she's on the road to huge things, and if these tracks are any indication of where the label's headed, the party's only getting started.

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