Filipino label & collective Nais teases a new compilation for a greater good

The pandemic may have halted late-night revelries and pushed countless clubs to an abrupt closure. However, it also saw a floodgate of magnetic releases open, with countless producers and DJs going back to the drawing board and leaving listeners spoiled hefty, despite being stuck at home.

Among the recent wave of electronic productions unleashed in the Philippine archipelago is Nais’ latest compilation — one that both showcases both long-time and upcoming artists and gives back to its community.

Co-founder, Jacob Mendoza explains: “'I wanted to give back to life through music, and it led me to creating a compilation wherein local artists can release their genuine expressions while contributing to good movements like Lokal Lab, For the Future and Kids for Kids. I wanted us to create music for the sake of creation – and in turn, hopefully help our brothers and sisters.”

Prior to their second compilation, which comes out February 22 featuring Local Sun, justo, Lower Myth, JAV/, jcksound and Junoy Manalo, among others, Nais previously gathered the likes of similarobjects, Limsum, Tomas, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, LIKE ANIMALS, and more for a more dance-centric selection.

Together with Mendoza’s partners, Gabby Agbayani taking care of visual design and LM Monserrat on top of promotions, Nais aimed to make their next release“beach or coastal themed” to align with their beneficiary of choice, Lokal Lab: a non-profit organization providing relief for Siargao, one of the Southern islands recently ravaged by Super Typhoon Odette/Rai over the holidays.

Young as the label/collective may be, Nais envisions themselves as “inclusive and kind”, aiming towards a more holistic approach when it comes to staging artists from different genres — one that would bring people together even further.

Mendoza shares: “I simply wanted to create something. And I believed it had to be something good. I re-contextualized the word 'nice,' a phrase we often use to express that we like something, into the Tagalog word for 'desire, dream, wish or will.' I believe that the desire of creation is what essentially moves or changes everything. Referring to a true cliché, it's also a reminder about the power of faith and manifestation. It is also to show that language is funny. If I'm speaking boldly or literally, I'd say that the Nais vision is to show through the platform that making your dreams come true doesn't have to be overly individualistic. When our creations involve the community, greater things can happen.”

As everyone looks forward to the industry fully opening up, Mendoza shares the same sentiments of a future that’s more progressive: “We dream of the Filipino nightlife to be more inclusive and open-hearted. A time and space to celebrate life, rather than run away from it. Specifically, we dream of the nightlife scene to have more spaces where music is its center. For our place in it, it's not up to us. All we know is that we love the nightlife. Well, because it's life as well. Without music, there's no nightlife. Without nightlife, there's not much music.”

[Images via Nais]