We arrive at Tomo Nakayama's house to meet the portion of Grand Hallway that will be filming with us. We make our introductions in the living room where they have been practicing. We meet Alina To, who (usually) plays violin, the newly acquired Shenandoah Davis, who (usually) plays accordion, and Masamichi Omata, who has been elected to cover percussion; although it is unclear what his usual instrument is. We move to the lower balcony to see the top of the Space Needle resting above Queen Anne, the Ballard Bridge to the West, and the Olympics in [...]
I should take an entry or two to address how absolutely thick the music scene is here in the Northwest. Whether it's an annual festival like, Sasquatch , Bumbershoot , or even the Capitol Hill Block Party , the centrality of the city alone continues to make Seattle a stop on countless tours... and while the web of venues within these hills seems to attract musicians from across the globe, we've got a plethora of local artists who truly give our city character. Which brings me to the subject of, Grand Hallway , an [...]
That, my friends, is the teaser for Grand Hallway's new album "Promenade" that drops September 15, 2009. Grand Hallway has built a strong local following with their stunning live shows that showcase the depth in each of their powerful pop songs. "Promenade" is an explosive movement in the soul of pop. The songs flow freely and fluidly from the soul of each of the band mates, as Tomo's voice soars above. The songs become unique, but part of a whole You can see them with a full orchestra (and kids choir) [...]
Today's free and legal mp3 downloads: Dan Costello : free and legal Recession Songs album [mp3] other Dan Costello posts at Largehearted Boy Grand Hallway : "Blessed Be, Honey Bee" [mp3] from Promenade (out September 15th) other Grand Hallway posts at Largehearted Boy The Hush Now : "Hoping [...]
Robin Pecknold and his sister Aja ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth While Robin Pecknold himself may have stuck to water last night at Neumos, it was clear by the end of the night he was one of a bare few. He contributed in his own way though, offering a wry humor and a one of kind [...]
![Grand Hallway: Promenade [Album Review]](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/1829224_lg.jpg)
Grand Hallway has created quite a unique place in pop music. Their songs are an interesting medium between baroque orchestral pop and traditional Japanese music. Given their prior releases, hearing the sounds on Promenade is no surprise. Led by master songwriter Tomo Nakayama, Promenade finds Grand Hallway expanding on their musical abilities. Promenade is much more dramatic than Yes Is The Answer , their debut LP. It takes the listener on a journey; each song follows [...]
Loney, Dear. Gotta love the Swedish folk. They love to tell stories about their experiences on tour in America. Lead singer Emil Svanängen recalls his day spent visiting the Sub Pop offices (and being very appreciative of them) and walking around memorizing the street names near the Crocodile. read more
![Grand Hallway: Yes Is The Answer [Album Review]](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/1593770_lg.jpg)
Yes Is The Answer is the debut album by Seattle's Grand Hallway . Yet prior to its release, the band already had several international shows booked in Japan, a country from which they draw severe influence. Describing their music as Experimental Classical Pop, Grand Hallway blends piano-heavy orchestral instrumentals with Tomo Nakayama's quivering alto vocals. The combination draws likely similarities to Sufjan Stevens and Anathallo. In comparison, the band's music finds a home more experimental than the former and less high school orchestra than the latter. After [...]
Hey Marseilles ::: Photos by Josh On Thursday I arrived at Neumos just as the first band was starting and I was immediately riveted. Painted Hills was marking the release of their first four song EP on only their second night out since they formed in October with an opening spot at Neumos, two feats most local bands (including my own) usually have to wait a bit longer than six months from their inception for. The weight of the situation wasn't lost on the band who powered through their new EP, titled Magnolia , in [...]
The first person to drop a comment in this post saying they want 'em will win a pair of tickets to tonight's Hey Marseilles show, also featuring Grand Hallway and Painted Hills , who are releasing a CD at tonight's show. The poster is above. It looks like they're doing an early-ish start with doors at 7pm, so if you are going to go you won't need to stay out too late. Hey Marseilles next stop? SXSW.
We have a pair of tickets to a lucky reader to see Hey Marseilles and Grand Hallway on Thursday - send an e-mail to tig@threeimaginarygirls.com before noon on Thursday to enter. read more
Shenandoah Davis photographed by Kristin Tolliver Every once in awhile, you'll listen to something by an artist you're completely unfamiliar with and suddenly, your ears perk up and you begin to listen a bit more closely, a bit more intently. And then suddenly, you're in love. Meet Shenandoah Davis. Ms. Davis is a young and exciting songwriter who currently hails from Seattle, a home to many a talented musician. But what makes Davis so unique is her truly distinct, vintage sound, her parloresque piano and her incredibly fascinating vocal instrument. [...]
Sure, I've been a bit disparaging about Husband Love Your Wives in the past on Sound On The Sound - it's just not my type of music. Yet, for undisclosed reasons, Ms. Spiess has spent a considerable amount of time in the hospital as of late, and as we all know the American health care system doesn't turn its head at milking the uninsured for all their worth, so, it seems Spiess has racked up a good deal of debt. Lucky for her, and honestly, us a great group of local musicians are coming together at The Sunset to help [...]
Was für ein gigantisches Projekt auf Peppermill Records . Und dabei auch noch fast durchgängig mit grandiosen Titeln, höchst sympathischen Musikanten, skurrilen Einfällen und vor allem jeder Menge Spass. Bin begeistert. Fernsehen sollte immer so klingen. Zeep - Smoking Boxes Candlestickmaker - You Have The Right To Remain Silent Scrambled Mache - Norm XOX - Would You Be My Thunder Power - Jack The Tripper Br'er - I'm Not A Acientist [...]
It is scheduled to take place at Cheney Stadium, home of the Tacoma Rainiers minor league baseball team at 2pm. read more
It is scheduled to take place at Cheney Stadium, home of the Tacoma Rainiers minor league baseball team at 2pm. read more
When I say the words pop music what are the first acts who come to your mind? Britney Spears (who hasn't put out a respectable single in ages)? Pussycat Dolls? Chris Brown? And in the "sensitive guy with a guitar" column we've got John Mayer, who can hardly even stand his own mushiness any more. Is this really what pop music is for us now? Fergie? I've got eyes, and I think Rhianna is just about the hottest creature to be strutting this earth right now, but in my eyes, pop music has also become a distasteful caricature [...]
Image: PCP Seward Park - Grand Hallway On its Myspace page, Grand Hallway compares its sound to "echoes in a grand hallway," which you could read this as brand reinforcement. And if you're a music blogging geek who spends too much time thinking about such things, you [...]
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