Camp Revival

On January 12, 2010, Camp Revival sat down with Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band to chortle with them over their worst show experiences. Above is a video of the band commiserating over a brutal show that they played in December 2008 at The Independent in San Francisco, CA.

ALSO, I was privileged enough to hear a couple songs off of their upcoming album. Blew. My. Mind.

MYSPACE

On November 21, 2009 Camp Revival filmed Ryan Barrett from The Pica Beats in Seattle’s Roosevelt neighborhood. It was a dark night; outside, a monsoon of biblical proportions pelted down on the small fruit stand that we huddled in to evade the weather. Drinking cheap, burnt coffee we started to set up our equipment amidst the seasonal produce and dairy fridges. After a couple of sips, Barrett got familiar with the produce that surrounded him and started strumming the chords to “Whisper Wine,” a new song that The Pica Beats are currently working on.

Above is the exclusive version that Barrett performed for Camp Revival.

This was the second video we shot with Mason Lindahl in the blistering winter cold. Enjoy.

And, don’t miss the first.

As much as Mason Lindahl’s album Serrated Man Sound defined 2009’s fall season for me, his visit on the weekend of November 21st, 2009 signaled the departure of this fleeting season and the arrival of the bitter cold in Seattle.

Mason was in town to play at Seattle’s Vera Project with local bands: Fences and Hey Marseilles. To escape the cold we stopped at the Capitol Hill Than Brothers for hot PHO. While stuffing our faces we were able to have good conversation with Mason and learn a great deal about the incredible music/musicians that he is surrounded by in his home city of Oakland, CA (Zach Hill / Ellie Fortune / Andy Morin / This list goes on).

After satiating ourselves with noodles and sodium we decided it was time to make some moving pictures. Oddly enough the location we had chosen to shoot at was a beautiful old brick apartment court yard in Capitol Hill. I write odd because it was the exact old brick apartment complex that Mason had lived in during his brief stint in Seattle years earlier; weird right? We were strongly convinced after this chance encounter that the creation of these videos was fate. Unfortunately the property manager did not share in our epiphany as he quickly told us to pack up our shit and be on our way so that we wouldn’t disturb his tenants. With our shit neatly packed we headed to Capitol Hill’s Volunteer Park to film.

As can be seen from the video, shooting outside was an act of pure affliction given the dexterity that is required of Mason to play his music. Despite this challenge Mason overcame and performed several songs for us in the frigid weather. The remainder of the day can be seen in the videos above. Don’t be surprised if you can see your breath while watching these videos.

Watch the other video we shot later that day with Mason.

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.

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) for their CD release show: September 17, 2009 @ The Fremont Abbey

ALSO, be on the watch for an exclusive Camp Revival video short with the members of Grand Hallway. Coming next month!

Philoscopic is Garrett Vance. Garrett lives in Seattle, WA. Garrett makes beautiful music. Through his melancholic melodies and inspired key changes Garrett has created a sound that immediately tugs at the listener’s emotions. Perhaps the most exciting part of Philoscopic’s sound is the freedom in his music. Traditional A-B-A format has been abandoned for fuller unbridled arrangements; I love that. Keep your ear’s turned to Garrett and his side projects as his ability for arrangement will continue to deliver incredible music.

Tomorrow Began Tomorrow

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Ghosts on the Wall

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Telephone

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