Preview: NFTN — Portland Cello Project w/ Grand Hallway

Noise For The Needy Presents: Portland Cello Project w/ Grand Hallway @ The Vera Project| 6/11| 7:30 pm| $11 advance| All ages

Photo by Alicia J Rose

The sound of a cello is kind of hard not to fall in love with, but hearing multiple cellos playing covers of songs like “Toxic” by Britney Spears is one of the greatest things ever. Portland Cello Project (PCP for short) is led by Douglas Jenkins and focuses on collaborating with noted Northwest musicians, as well as creating their own arrangements of popular and avant-garde music. Jenkins had gotten to know other cellists in the Portland area and wanted to play more alternative music than they usually get to and to reach an audience that would usually not get to hear it (due to expensive ticket prices).

Grand Hallway are the perfect compliment to PCP (Not the drug. Or at least I don’t encourage that). Tomo Nakayama’s songs tell a story, but the strings in his band absolutely pull you inside the story, as if you are a part of his life. Nakayama’s tenor vocals sometimes slip into the sound of a cry or a yell, but still sound absolutely beautiful. Although the phrasing of Grand Hallway’s lyrics are very unique, it’s still impossible not to sing along. It’s all too rare to find music these days that will inspire and uplift you with its careful arrangements and beautiful honesty, but here it is, in Seattle.

This is a video of Grand Hallway performing with the Seattle Rock Orchestra this past September:

This is Portland Cello Project performing during half-time at a game the Portland Trailblazers played:

This will be a beautiful show that’s for a great cause — all proceeds benefit Teen Feed, helping homeless youth get their basic needs in their communities. Highly Recommended, plus it’ll make you a better person.