Camp Revival

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 the background.

The band switches instruments, finding their collective sound, as effortless and natural as the bee flying around Tomo’s concentrated face. As they rehearse, Tomo takes his place as bandleader and the music seems to just fall into place. Take after take, Grand Hallway is refining their music. I don’t want to say they have a “Seattle sound,” but their songs are filled with rich and overpowering tones, reminding me of the the luscious green that takes over the city.