Grand Hallway
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Grand Hallway | |
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Seattle, Washington, U.S. | |
Genres | indie folk, chamber pop, art rock |
Years active | 2007-present |
Labels | Porchlight (U.S.) Sideout (Japan) |
Members | Tomo Nakayama Brian Wright Chris Early Jaclyn Shumate Aaron Otheim |
Past members | Kevin Large Jeramy Koepping Erik Neumann Bob Roberts Alina To Esther Shin Chris Zasche Joel Harmon Shenandoah Davis Maria Mannisto |
Website | Official website |
Grand Hallway is an American rock band from
History
Grand Hallway began as a recording project between singer/songwriter Tomo Nakayama and producer Jeramy Koepping. After the dissolution of his first band, Asahi, Nakayama sought a different direction from that band's guitar-based indie rock sound. Using the piano as his main instrument, Nakayama began to write songs inspired by artists such as Nina Simone, Neil Young, and John Lennon. After playing a handful of solo shows, Nakayama recruited bassist Erik Neumann and drummer Bob Roberts, and along with Koepping on guitar, began playing out in earnest as Grand Hallway. Strong word of mouth based on a four song demo and live shows opening for the likes of Damien Jurado led to The Stranger declaring them one of the "10 Emerging Bands of 2007."
Yes is the Answer (2007)
The basic tracks for Grand Hallway's debut album, Yes is the Answer, were recorded in 3 days at Jack Straw Productions through a grant received from their Artist Support Program. Engineering was performed by Moe Provencher, and overdubs and mixing were completed over the following summer by Jeramy Koepping. What began as a minimalist collection of piano/bass/drums songs grew into a fuller, chamber-pop sound with the addition of a string quartet. The cover art was hand drawn by Japanese artist Heisuke Kitazawa, after a chance meeting with Nakayama at an art show in Seattle. Yes is the Answer was released in Japan on Sideout Records (Bright Eyes, Nada Surf, The Velvet Teen), and self-released by the band in the U.S. The album was received warmly in both countries. The Stranger praised it, saying it "glows brightly with warm, delicate orchestration and thoughtful song structures." In September 2007, joined by new members Alina To and Jaclyn Shumate on violins, Grand Hallway toured Japan with fellow Seattle band Arthur & Yu and Japanese singer/songwriter Shugo Tokumaru.
Promenade (2009)
Shortly after touring in Japan and recording the EP We Flew Ephemera, Bob Roberts left the band to pursue his career as a video game designer, and was replaced by Joel Harmon. Grand Hallway spent 2008 touring the west coast and performing in that year's
Winter Creatures (2011)
Grand Hallway spent the majority of 2010 on tour, playing at
Horses (2013)
In 2012, after seeing Nakayama perform in an a capella show, director
Discography
Albums
- Yes is the Answer (2007, Sideout)
- Promenade (2009, Self-Released/Porchlight)
- Winter Creatures (2011, Porchlight)
EPs/Singles/Live Albums
- We Flew Ephemera (2008)
- Live at the Triple Door (2010)
- Songs For Japan (2011)
- Horses (2013, Versicolor)
References
- ^ "Catching up with Tomo Nakayama of Grand Hallway on Acting in Touchy Feely". 9 September 2013.
- ^ "Giveaway: Win some 'Touchy Feely' music". USA Today.
- ^ Holden, Stephen (5 September 2013). "A Delicate Balance Tested". The New York Times.