Grand Hallway is an eight piece orchestral pop band from Seattle featuring singer/songwriter Tomo Nakayama and members of local favorites Voyager One, the Maldives, Sleepy Eyes of Death, Widower, and Shenandoah Davis. Grand Hallway's debut album, “Yes Is The Answer” was released in 2007 in Japan on Sideout Records (home to Bright Eyes, Cursive, Two Gallants, The Velvet Teen), and self-released by the band in the United States. A follow-up EP, "We Flew Ephemera", was released in early 2008. Tours include time on the West Coast, a tour of Japan with Arthur and Yu and Shugo Tokumaru, and festivals including Sasquatch and Bumbershoot. Grand Hallway's second album, "Promenade", was released on September 15, 2009. For the record release party, the band performed with a full orchestra and a children's choir to a sold out crowd. "Promenade" received heavy airplay on college stations nationwide, placed 29 on KEXP's Year-end List, and was named 2 on NPR's Best New Discoveries of 2009.
Grand Hallway have shared the stage with: Shearwater, Damien Jurado, Robin Pecknold (Fleet Foxes), The Thermals, Cave Singers, Helio Sequence, Jesse Sykes, Throw Me the Statue, Noah and the Whale, Loney,Dear, Headlights, Shugo Tokumaru, Arthur and Yu, Moondoggies, Pica Beats, Laura Gibson, Manuok, Loch Lomond, and many more.
Promenade Reviews -
"Grand Hallway has pieced together a masterpiece." - Fensepost
"A meticulous flurry of strings, piano, slide guitar, and various percussion to score poignant, fun, and beautiful songs." - The Stranger
"A monorail ride into the orchestral-pop genius of Nakayama and his band...demonstrates why the band no longer deserves to be known exclusively as a regional talent." - Seattle Weekly
"Fantastic record. Gorgeous orchestral pop and adventurous arrangements." Kevin Cole, KEXP 90.3FM
"A perfectly sequenced listen from start to finish." - Delusions of Adequacy
"Grand Hallway prove to be great architects of song." - Verbicide
"Promenade may be one of the most engaging, most enjoyable pop albums to come out of Seattle this year." - Redefine Magazine
"An absolute gem." - Music For Ants
"A must have album." - Surviving the Golden Age
“With all that is going on, nothing feels fabricated or rushed.” –Tome to the Weather Machine
“Promenade is an album full of high highs and beauteous lows. “ –A Slice of Fried Gold
"A beautiful balance of insanity, enormity, sweetness, pop and power.." - Sound Magazine
"Tomo Nakayama wails in his pure tenor amidst the tight rhythmic piano and guitars, all backed by soaring strings that work together to create a sound with an epic scope and depth." - Urb Magazine
"Simple yet terrifically melodic, elegant, and dreamy." - WRUV 90.1FM
"Easily my new favorite Seattle band!" - DJ Marco Collins
Yes is the Answer Reviews -
"I know of no singer that has a better voice than Tomo Nakayama. I also don't know of a more gorgeous record to be released in 2007, locally or otherwise." - Threeimaginarygirls.com
"Quietly spellbinding...makes you feel a little better for having heard it… and felt it." - CDBaby.com
"With this improbably accomplished debut, Grand Hallway joins the departed Seldom and The Prom in the area’s pantheon of talented, young, piano-based pop bands." - Performer Magazine
"Glows brightly with warm, delicate orchestration and thoughtful song structures." - The Stranger
"One of the most intriguing voices in Seattle." –Seattle Times
Let me know if you are interested in recording!! or having your project mixed/mastered!!
I am a Freelance Audio Engineer which means I work out of several great seattle studios who have incredible sounding live rooms, a huge selection of mics, and great analog and digital gear.
My rates can vary depending on your project and budget. Send me a message if you would like more info or an estimate.
Come see Grand Hallway at KEXPs Yule Benefit on Saturday December 12th at Neumos, along with The Thermals, The Cave Singers, and The Builder and The Butchers. More info on KEXP.org. See you there!
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