Using the piano as his main instrument, Nakayama began to write songs inspired by artists such as Nina Simone, Neil Young, and John Lennon.

Strong word of mouth based on a four song demo and live shows opening for the likes of Damien Jurado led to The Stranger declaring them one of the "10 Emerging Bands of 2007."

The basic tracks for Grand Hallway's debut album, Yes is the Answer, were recorded in 3 days at Jack Straw Productions through a grant received from their Artist Support Program.

In September 2007, joined by new members Alina To and Jaclyn Shumate on violins, Grand Hallway toured Japan with fellow Seattle band Arthur & Yu and Japanese singer/songwriter Shugo Tokumaru.

Shortly after touring in Japan and recording the EP We Flew Ephemera, Bob Roberts left the band to pursue his career as a video game designer, and was replaced by Joel Harmon.

Nakayama switched back from piano to guitar as his primary instrument, and the band's sound began to evolve in a larger, more densely orchestrated direction.

Still, the album was well received, with Groovemine noting its "more minimal direction, eschewing the orchestral microcosms and child choirs of past efforts and moving on from the typical Northwestern everything-but-the-kitchen-sink ensemble."