From playing parties at their home base of Sigma Nu fraternity to opening for the Neon Trees at John Paul Jones arena, Last Call has been soundtracking University weekends since 2022. The band has found their place in the Charlottesville indie-rock music scene, making a name for themselves by combining unique individual experiences and talents with a collaborative musical process.
The Charlottesville music scene is a natural incubator for student talent — the Dave Matthews Band rehearsed in the Sigma Nu basement over 30 years ago, just like Last Call does today.
Last Call began when Class of 2025 alumnus Dylan Smith worked to revive an old Sigma Nu band during his second year. A few members have graduated and been replaced throughout their time, but the original members fourth-year drummer Max Van Zandt and fourth-year saxophone player Jack Peacock are still in the current lineup.
Fourth-year singer Simone Marijic and third-year guitarist Nic Jones joined the band the following year. When their former bassist left to study abroad last semester, third-year Sigma Nu brother and multi-instrumentalist Matthew Mangiacapre stepped in and learned to play the bass.
The group works together to build a setlist composed of crowd-pleasers and personal favorites, blending genres to create a mix that they all love. Some of those favorites include “Midnight in Harlem" by the Tedeschi Trucks Band, “The Only Exception” by Paramore and “Sunday Morning” by Maroon 5. Last Call’s repertoire contains a lot of country, indie rock and college classics, and they are looking to incorporate more oldies into their arsenal this semester.
“We found our core group of songs that we've been playing for the last year or so," Smith said. “But we're revamping ourselves at the moment. We're really looking to add some new stuff.”
Each player brings fresh talent to the table, with some very impressive side projects between them. Marijic competed on season 27 of “The Voice,” released her own EP last spring and sings in the Virginia Belles a capella group. Her professional songwriting experience has become an incredibly valuable asset as Last Call begins the collaborative process of writing and recording original music, having fun while playing off of each other’s individual strengths.
“It’s really cool to have a lot of talent around here. Sometimes Dylan and I will just be messing around our guitars, and Simone will be like ‘maybe that's something,’ [and] she'll sing a little melody,” Jones said.
Peacock is a member of the Barons, a Charlottesville alternative band that tours up and down the East Coast, and the technical experience he gained from playing in a professional band has been particularly valuable as Last Call continues to develop their sound and craft. Mangiacapre said that Peacock’s knowledge of music theory has been very helpful as he continues learning the bass.
“He'll sit down and be like, ‘maybe play the third over this … [and it’ll] sound cooler,’” Mangiacapre said. “He has all these little bits of information. He can solo over any key, he knows all scales.”
This cooperative spirit is part of the band’s success, along with their general chemistry as a group. They keep rehearsals lighthearted, and are friends outside of making music together.
“Our favorite part is after every gig, we put all the equipment in the back of Dylan's pickup truck, and then we all drive in the back from wherever we're going,” Jones said. “We’ll go to the Taco Bell drive through in the back of the truck.”
This mix of talent and genuine friendship has propelled Last Call into the University’s spotlight, and is the reason they were able to open for the Neon Trees earlier this semester at the Wahoo Welcome concert. Performing in front of a packed JPJ is an intimidating undertaking, but the band was met with plenty of love from students, recalling the engagement and excitement radiating from the crowd.
“It’s a lot of first-years, so they probably don't even know the people that they're standing next to. The fact that they are just willing to open themselves up and just get excited — that was really cool,” Van Zandt said.
Last Call has a soft spot for playing student events — particularly at Sigma Nu, the fraternity that brought the band together and has supported them throughout the past few years.
“Playing here is a little bit unique because we get an increased crowd support from our friends,” Smith said. “They have been a big part of why we are so successful as a band, so it's really nice to be able to play back for them.”
Last Call is setting out to make the most of this year before Marijic, Peacock and Van Zandt graduate in the spring. They hope to record a few songs in Richmond and start playing at other venues in downtown Charlottesville, including Ting Pavilion.
“I think we just want to get the most out of the Charlottesville music scene while we're here,” Van Zandt said. “You know, it'd be cool if we have opportunities to play elsewhere, but there's still more to do here.”
Throughout the year, the band plans to continue channeling the energy of University students into upbeat shows almost every weekend, which they announce on their Instagram and TikTok, where they also take song requests.
"It's one of the most unique things in the world that this school has this giant music scene, propelled both by student bands and professional bands,” Smith said. “It's a music haven in a town of 40,000 people.”
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