Grand Hallway Interview: SXSW 2010

Seattle-based eight-piece orchestral chamber pop band Grand Hallway will be performing at SXSW for the first time this year. Their 2009 release, 'Promenade,' included a performance accompanied by an orchestra and children's choir in front of a sold-out crowd. Spinner recently spoke with singer-songwriter Tomo Nakayama, whom Sean Nelson of fellow Rain City band Harvey Danger calls "the most beautiful singing voice in Seattle."

Describe your sound.

The sound comes natural to me. Not sure if it is my heritage or musical sensibility. I was born in Japan, so I have been influenced by Japanese and Vietnamese music. Blending electric sounds with more organic acoustic elements, we combine Western music with Eastern textures. Grand Hallway mixes straightforward pop with punk, embellishing the music with classical and jazz influences. We incorporate violins, Oriental string and traditional rock instruments with banjo and accordion to make our sound unique.

How did your band form?

We started as a trio. Working on our record, we added a string quartet. Over time more people would show up for songs from the Seattle music scene. Our group of friends and musicians grew naturally over four years, mixing the other bands' genres. We all hang out. More than just a band, we're a do-it-yourself group. We became a musical factory, with our band doing our own fliers and T-shirts. The music is driving the success, instead of any hype machine or PR firm.

What are your musical influences?

Lately I have been into the Rachels. They are from Louisville, Ky. It's classical music with a twist. My favorite songwriters are John Lennon and Neil Young. I like plainspoken artists that have a really unique voice combined with classical influences.

How did you come up with your band name?

The name was inspired by a poem written by David Berman, from the Silver Jews. We liked his imagery of hallways being a metaphor for our journey, a place in life that we pass through. Life's journey being passing and fleeting. It is the past, the present and the future, all occurring at once. Those are the moments that Grand Hallway seeks to capture.

How long have you been touring?

We've been on five tours, including two trips to Japan. We are working on going to Europe this year if we can get everyone's schedules together. I think we are living the dream; we are working slowly towards it. Everyone is committed, and it seems like there is nothing else we would rather do.

What's your biggest vice?

It's a tie between getting sucked into YouTube and gas station corndogs. Everyone in the band has become connoisseurs of both.

What's in your festival survival kit?

Clean socks. With eight people stuffed in a van, there is not much room, and you want to smell good. It can get pretty gnarly. We are packed tight with all our instruments and the Scrabble board. Beyond clean socks, the only thing we really need is our video camera to document everything. Things go by so fast. We don't want to forget them.

What's your musical guilty pleasure?

Seattle late-night grunge and Andrew W.K. turned up real loud. His song 'Party Hard,' that's the jam right there.

Beatles or Stones?

I prefer the Beatles, myself but the band is split down the middle. There is a tension between composed pop and raw rock 'n' roll, which makes our band interesting.

What's the craziest thing you've seen or experienced while on tour?

Something we call the Grand Slam Sleepover. While touring the Southwest last December, on the way to Denver, we hit a huge snowstorm. Tried to be smart and drive around it. Not the best idea. We got caught in the worst part of the storm, unable to see three feet in front of us. Our five-hour drive reached 12 hours by the time we entered Flagstaff, Az. The only place open was a Denny's. Just as we finished ordering and thanking them for being open the power went out. It was a long night with new friends. At least we didn't have to pay for the meal.

Any last thoughts?

For all the sacrifices, the goals we have make the more mundane aspects of life bearable. While we sit at work so we can afford to make our music, we at least know there is something else to look forward to. It is gratifying to see all of us working hard and gaining success. This is going to be another great year for Seattle music.