Photo: Ian Allen
"When music journalists say things like 'this artist is a fixture in Seattle music,' there’s probably no one right now who fits that title better than Nakayama." - KEXP
Seattle artist Tomo Nakayama’s fourth album "Ocean" will be released on November 7th on Porchlight Records/Den Tapes in the USA, and in Japan on Lemon House Inc. Following his breakthrough 2020 synthpop album "Melonday", “Ocean” is Tomo’s return to a graceful, lush, organic full-band sound, backed by pianist Yuuki Matthews (The Shins), bassist Abbey Blackwell (Alvvays), and drummer Christopher Icasiano (Fleet Foxes) and featuring guest turns by Jesy Fortino (Tiny Vipers) and Debbie Miller. It is his most personal and complete musical statement to date, a self-produced ten song reflection on grief, healing, and the meaning of creating art and maintaining humanity in a tumultuous world. “Ocean” trapezes across sonic worlds of dream pop, orchestral acoustic folk, improvisational psychedelia and indie rock, all tied together by a wide open melodic and lyrical heart. "Ocean" is a deeply collaborative album awash in images of the sea, serving as metaphors for the vastness of love, human connection, and our capacity to clearly see and be one with the world.
Born in Japan and raised in Seattle, Tomo Nakayama has explored the lines between intimate indie folk, exuberant synth pop, and cinematic soundtracks for over two decades. Best known for placements in Netflix’s “House of Ninjas” and the Sundance Grand Jury nominated film “Touchy Feely”, Tomo’s music has been praised by NPR, KEXP, and the New York Times, and his hit single “Get to Know You” received over 2 million streams worldwide. He has toured across the world, sharing the stage with artists such as Cornelius, Built to Spill, Fruit Bats, Thao, and Stella Donnelly. He has also performed and collaborated with Dave Matthews, Jeremy Enigk (of Sunny Day Real Estate), Sera Cahoone, Jherek Bischoff, Jesse Sykes, Donnie Emerson (Dreamin’ Wild, Light in the Attic), and experimental dance company Malacarne.