With the new year, we're all about getting on the right foot from being well to truly taking on those goals. We took a moment to chat with EDM DJ's NERVO - super cool and focused Australian twin sisters who have been taking the world by storm! As models, songwriters, producers, DJ's and more, we could seriously bottle their energy for any time we need a pick me up!
We talked with Olivia and Miriam Nervo them on what they are up to from being sisters who work together, how they travel so much from set to set, their personal style and more!
ATHLEISURE MAG: So how did you two realize that you wanted to be DJs and what was your background to getting there as we know that you started as songwriters.
NERVO: We used to be full-time songwriters, working purely for other artists. When a song we wrote for David Guetta and Kelly Rowland - “When Love Takes Over,” won a Grammy, we thought we should give it a try ourselves at being artists. Besides, we had so many songs on our hard drives that we thought it would be such a waste to leave them there - so we had to become artists to release them. And NERVO was born :)
AM: As writers, producers and DJs what has been some of your favorite projects and people that you have worked with?
N: Everyone we have worked with has been truly amazing, but writing our own album and having it reach #1 was truly an honor. We were able to work with some really awesome artists like Afrojack, Steve Aoki, Nicky Romero, Alisa Ueno, Kreayshawn, and of course a favorite of ours and truly one of the funnest projects was getting to work with everyone on “The Other Boys,” with Kylie Minogue, Jake Shears and Nile Rodgers!
AM: You guys travel quite a bit, how do you stay centered when you're on the road going from stage to stage and where is your favorite place to perform?
N: Well we have become experts at the quick nap. We can literally sleep anywhere, on planes, in airports, in lobbies - literally anywhere, probably even standing up. To be honest, the energy we get from our fans always brings us back to life. Even when we are dead tired, we get to a gig and we see their smiling faces or their signs and we find some more energy.
We love performing in Ibiza and also Mykonos. Actually, everywhere in Europe during the summer is incredible. Europeans really enjoy their summers. They stay out late, they eat great food and they party hard. Of course playing the major festivals like Tomorrowland and Creamfields is also a real buzz.
AM: In addition to being talented songwriters, composers, producers, DJs etc - you have also left a fingerprint on the fashion industry as well from modeling, spokeswork and just having great distinctive style. How has all of these skills advanced your brands collectively as well as individually?
N: The fashion side of our business is just a lot of fun. We are lucky enough to travel to some of the most fun places in the world where we often pick up unique pieces of clothing. Tokyo is a favorite city of ours to shop in. We also wear clothes that are practical. We are constantly touring so Lycra is always good as it washes and dries quickly and is also very light weight - it’s a win win.
AM: As sisters, what is the process like in working with one another from behind the scenes as well as on stage.
N: We couldn’t imagine doing it without each other. Being able to travel and see the world with your sister is truly an amazing experience. We are each other’s support and also best critic so it really works out. There is an honesty that we have with each other that really helps our creative process too. We wouldn’t change it for anything!
AM: When you're about to play a set, what is the day like leading up to it and after, do you guys have rituals or things you do to relax after it?
N: Honestly, usually it’s traveling to that specific show, maybe catching a nap and a good meal, preparing a strong set for that specific venue, getting girl ready and then just having the most energy we can to put on a great show. We are constantly working on something new for the shows - whether it be a new intro, a new edit, new visuals, so we always have a bit to discuss before the gig.
AM: Describe your personal style, what do you wear on stage versus what you wear when you're going to brunch or running errands?
N: On stage, we love leggings or short leggings with platform tennis shoes (that must be comfortable) and a body suit or comfortable top because we do jump around a lot, so our clothes need to be something that do not affect the performance. In everyday life, we also really like to be comfortable and love comfy tees and cool jackets and definitely no makeup. We like to let our skin breathe whenever possible.
AM: What artists are on your bucket list that you have yet to collaborate with it?
N: We have had the pleasure of working with so many great artists and each one brings their own texture and vibe and would work with all of them again! But our future bucket list would include Lauryn Hill, Imogen Heap, Eminem, London Grammar, Jack Johnson… we could go on foreverrrrrr :)
PHOTO CREDIT Chloe Paul
AM: With so much time on the road, how do you stay in shape and where do you like to go to get away?
N: We stay in shape on stage! Think we must burn so many calories on each and every show haha…
We love to get away when on the road and sometimes take extra days in great locations like Mykonos, Ibiza, Mexico, and even skiing in Austria! Oh, and we always take a few months off a year to be with our family in Australia.
AM: Tell us about #TittiesTittiesYeah and will you continue to do shows that include this initiative?
N: We will continue to do everything we can to help raise money and awareness for Breast Cancer. Our mum is a survivor so we saw first-hand how important charities were not only for cancer victims but for their families, providing emotional support and also of course to the research that goes into finding a cure. We started #TittiesTittiesYEAH so we could raise money and donate it to various hospitals or organizations and can’t wait to do more in 2017!
AM: As female DJs who have received phenomenal achievements, do you feel that you're role models to women who are looking to be in the space?
N: We hope so and would love to be the inspiration for any woman in any career field to help them show that achieving your goals is possible and hard work and determination breeds success. We recently did a campaign for our “People Grinnin’” release alongside Made By Me in Australia that helped show how women can get into engineering and that even though some of these fields are male dominated it shouldn’t stop women from going after what they want.
AM: What are you working on that fans should keep an eye out for?
N: More music and touring. We have a big release coming out in February, as well as some great collabs we are super excited about. We’re also really excited to be launching NERVOnation in the snow in Solden, Austria this April. And of course, we will be launching NERVOnation in Ibiza at Ushuaia.
To stay connected to NERVO while they're on tour or enjoying their next trip to destinations unknown, follow them @NERVOmusic on Instagram.
Read more from the Jan Issue here.