Grand Hallway is an eight piece orchestral pop band from Seattle, Washington. Featuring singer/songwriter Tomo Nakayama (Asahi, Jen Wood Trio) and various members of local favorites Voyager One, the Maldives, Sleepy Eyes of Death, and Widower, Grand Hallway's lush, baroque pop songs evoke myriad influences. Since their inception in 2006, they have self released a full-length, Yes is the Answer (2007), and an EP We Flew Ephemera (2008). Yes is the Answer was released in Japan by Sideout Records (Bright Eyes, Nada Surf, Cursive, The Velvet Teen).
Grand Hallway entered Studio Litho in the fall of 2008 with engineer Shawn Simmons (Jen Wood, Carrie Biell). The resulting sophomore album, Promenade, is easily the most adventurous and accessible work the octet has produced. With a little help from good friends Heatwarmer, Cory Gray (Laura Gibson, Norfolk&Western, Carcrashlander), and Goh Nakamura, they refined and expanded upon the chamber-pop sound of their debut album, maturing into a dynamic ensemble with an utterly unique musical vision. The album artwork is by the band's frequent collaborator Heisuke Kitazawa/PCP (Her Space Holiday, Postal Service, Trespassers William).
Promenade is a fractured narrative of the dissolution of one relationship and the beginning of another, each story narrated by Nakayama in an unabashedly romantic and naked lyrical voice. The music is dense and raucous in places, translucent and sparse in others. The songs feel familiar, but do not belong in any one era. “The Grand Hallway” is the space and time which we all inhabit. It is the past, the present, and the future, all occurring at once. We are constantly on the move, going from room to room, indoors to outdoors, searching for a place to be ‘til we are no longer. Along the way there are glimpses of beauty, moments of human connection, and those are the moments that Grand Hallway seek to capture.
Praise for Grand Hallway:
"Poised to breakthrough in 2009... A beautiful blend of folk and pop that conjures images of bright summer sunrises and whimsical fall afternoons." -Ear Candy
"Glows brightly with warm, delicate orchestration and thoughtful song structures." –The Stranger
"One of the most intriguing voices in Seattle..." –Seattle Times
Praise for Promenade:
“Grand Hallway has pieced together a masterpiece…” – Fense Post
“…simply dazzling and eloquent love songs.” –Seattle Weekly
“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
“Every track on Promenade is a winner…” –Delusions of Adequacy
"Grand Hallway prove to be great architects of song..." -Verbicide
"...decked out with interesting and arresting details throughout." -Sound Advice
"Promenade by Grand Hallway is a must have album." -Surviving the Golden Age
"A delightful and unassuming work of art." -Lucid Forge
