Inhaler Deliver Atmospheric Take on Kavinsky’s ‘Nightcall’ for Triple J Session

Inhaler have offered a fresh take on Kavinsky’s 2010 electronic classic ‘Nightcall’ during a recent session for Triple J’s ‘Like a Version’. The Irish band reinterpreted the synth-heavy track with a more ethereal, indie-rock feel, performing it alongside their own song ‘Billy (Yeah Yeah Yeah)’ from their third album ‘Open Wide’.

The band replaced the original’s pulsing electronic textures with dreamy guitar layers, slowly building the arrangement towards a cinematic, arena-sized chorus before closing with an intense instrumental finale. Atmospheric keys were added later in the performance as a subtle nod to the track’s roots.

Frontman Elijah Hewson said the band were drawn to the idea of covering the song partly because of its association with the film ‘Drive’, describing it as feeling distinct from the usual pop track. He noted that the connection to the movie soundtrack gave them a different perspective while approaching the cover.

Bassist Robert Keating mentioned that he had added the song to their pre-show playlist as a quiet experiment, hoping that fans might already be familiar with it through repeated listens. He also reflected on how the process of stripping the song down allowed it to take on a more emotional and weighty tone. Hewson added that the band had gone through several versions of the cover before settling on the final one, which staggered the arrangement and allowed more space for the song to unfold.

‘Nightcall’ was originally co-written and produced by French artist Kavinsky and Daft Punk’s Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, with vocals by Lovefoxxx from CSS. Its inclusion in the 2011 film ‘Drive’, starring Ryan Gosling, catapulted the song into the spotlight.

More recently, Kavinsky teamed up with Phoenix and Angèle to perform ‘Nightcall’ during the closing ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics. A studio version of the collaboration was later released, and the song broke the record for the most Shazamed track in a single day following the event.

The enduring appeal of ‘Nightcall’ has also inspired several other artists. It has been sampled by the likes of Lupe Fiasco, Childish Gambino, Vinny Cha$e & Kid Art, and Will Young. London Grammar included a cover of the track on their 2013 debut album, ‘If You Wait’.

Inhaler Announce Intimate Show and Major UK Tour Dates

Kavinsky previously said in an interview that the song’s rapid rise in popularity had overwhelmed him. He admitted feeling pressure in the wake of its success and needed time to step back before figuring out his next steps creatively.

In other news, Inhaler and Blossoms are set to perform an intimate show in Bath next Thursday (June 26), with proceeds going to the mental health charity CALM. The event comes just before their appearances at this year’s Glastonbury Festival. Inhaler have revealed plans for their biggest UK headline concerts so far, with shows scheduled in London and Liverpool.

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