Last Call Proves the Night Doesn’t End When the Drinks Do
Photographed by Hayden Crompton
Instagram: @cromptography
Before this semester’s seventh Mini Desk performance, I had the opportunity to chat with the event’s closers for the night: Queen’s University’s own Last Call. This band of students began in the QMC and are now playing shows all over Kingston. When asking about the origins of Last Call, I was introduced to the rather complicated but wholesome navigation of the band’s formation. From a house party, to mutual friends, and the eventual monumental QMC jam sessions, the band built a strong relationship fast. “It’s all about rolling the dice,” said Skylar, the lead singer of Last Call. “It was just luck.” This seemed to be the unanimous answer amongst the group. What started as an initial four expanded into a seven person dream team.
Last Call have been playing in Kingston since the birth of the crew, describing the local music scene as constantly growing. “The bands are interconnected,”described the band. “Everyone’s friendly - student bands want to play together.”Kingston also provided a more grounded atmosphere, which made for an easy take off into the space of live music in the city. Even our local Queens radio station, CFRC, was noted as a substantial helper in connecting this buzzing new band to others. They aided in giving Last Call a starting platform to share their sound with the Kingston community.
For Last Call’s maiden performance with MUSE, I was quick to ask what this group hoped to achieve with their set on Tuesday. “A fun time,” was the quickest response, from drummer Leo. Though this was deemed as a playful answer by other members, it seemed like the wide intention was to show off their skills, make a name through MUSE, and show everyone the wonderful music they bring to the table. This isn’t Last Call’s first rodeo playing at The Mansion. That being said, they mentioned that, in their upcoming performance, they wish to, “zero in on a specific sound, hear everyone out in the band, and find a niche area they can go all out in.” But what exactly can we expect for the band's anticipated christening of MUSE Mini Desk? Well the band’s process of designing a set seemed like a collaborative effort of past performances and future goals. Ellie referred to it as “family time”: a space for members to come in with songs they love, want to play, and think will fit the gig. No genres unexplored and no style untouched. At the end of the day, this band isn’t pursuing an exclusive image. Last Call wants to share the music that they love with all of us. Every song played is made to be a version that reflects them. “How can we make the song our own?” was the central question in set design. Mini Desk attendees should expect a mixture of new and familiar favourites. “We try to get in two to three new songs per gig,” Nic says, allowing returning fans to hear something new every time and delivering a unique performance whenever they’re on stage.
In this collaboration with MUSE, a magazine known as a space to launch creativity, I asked Last Call what advice they would give Queen’s students wishing to launch their own band. Immediately, “QMC,” was the majority answer. But the band also insisted on bravery, getting involved with new people, keeping an open mind, and not being closed off to the unknown. Brendan recounts, “I never thought I’d join a band with a saxophone”. No matter what you’re thinking of pursuing, there will always be an audience.
Catch Last Call Tuesday, September 23rd at The Mansion, along with a stacked schedule of other performances. Come for the music and stay for the thundering pulse of passion right here, in the heart of downtown Kingston. Buy your tickets here.