S Poddar
Mercury Prize nominees The Last Dinner Party have put their own spin on Blondie’s iconic song “Call Me” for an Australian radio station.
Originally released in 1980, “Call Me” was crafted for the film American Gigolo, starring Richard Gere as an escort. Debbie Harry’s lyrics, channeling the voice of Gere’s character, boldly declare, “You can call me any day or night.”
The legendary Giorgio Moroder provided the danceable beats that propelled the track to become a defining hit of the new wave era. This song remains one of Blondie’s signature tracks, solidifying their status as trailblazers.
The Last Dinner Party’s rendition, created for triple j’s ‘Like A Version’ series, swaps the original’s disco vibe for their signature indie rock flair. Abigail Morris’s vocals bring a fresh, ethereal quality, complemented by bright keys and distinctive guitars.
In a behind-the-scenes video, Georgia Davies shared that she and Morris often sang the “explosive” song at karaoke as teenagers. Morris noted, “We didn’t try to mimic Debbie Harry. Instead, we made it our own homage because no one can truly replicate her.”
This cover comes on the heels of exciting news for the band: their debut album, Prelude to Ecstasy, is up for the prestigious Mercury Prize. Released earlier this year, it received rave reviews, with Far Out giving it four and a half stars and calling it an “immersive art-rock experience.”
The Last Dinner Party isn’t alone in their debut success. Other first-time nominees include Leeds art-rockers English Teacher, along with Barry Can’t Swim, Cat Burns, Berwyn, corto.alto, Nia Archives, and Beth Gibbons. The date for the award ceremony is still pending.
As they ride this wave of acclaim, The Last Dinner Party is set for a busy summer, with festival appearances at Lollapalooza in Chicago, Rock en Seine in France, and Reading and Leeds in the UK. Following the festival circuit, they will embark on a UK and Ireland tour this autumn.
