Some things just sound better in English than in German. So is the name of our band of the week. The members agreed on “Hallway” at the last second. The indie rock band needed a name to register for Springboard 2023 – the annual competition for young bands organized by Feierwerk. “Hallway was like a blank canvas that we ourselves filled with meaning,” says drummer Lorenz Amesbichler. Everyone agreed and the name was entered. And then they won.
“I was so surprised that I really embarrassed myself during the acceptance speech,” says bassist Felix Ferle, 23, on a spring day in LMU’s StuCafé, and everyone laughs. The band members, almost all of whom are studying, meet here more often. Sitting opposite Felix is singer and guitarist Alma Tyroller, 21, who founded the band project Alma&June together with him and her sister Luzia Tyroller, 23, at the beginning of 2022. A few months later they met Lorenz Amesbichler, 23, Zoë Eser, 22, saxophone and piano, and Kathrin Schiener, 23, guitar. Three became six and Alma&June became Hallway.
The roles are anything but rigid: Anyone who sees Hallway live will immediately recognize that Zoë sometimes switches from the saxophone to the piano, or is switched around in other ways.
The songs sound a bit like the introspective soundtrack to a coming-of-age film. Nostalgic indie rock. Hallway’s lyrics also revolve around topics that can perhaps be associated with growing up, but actually never stop playing a role. The lines are light-footed, abstract: The world is ending and I want to start/but it’s always gonna be just a compromise.
Finding compromises in the rehearsal room is of course not uncommon with six people. “But that makes it all the cooler when it comes together,” says Zoë. The band works together on the instrumentals, and so far Alma has mainly written the lyrics. “She just does it very well,” says Kathrin, and Alma smiles to herself.
As thoughtful and atmospheric as many of the songs are, there is often a rocking, cathartic finale, especially live. Then Hallway not only makes you dream and dance, but also makes some people bang their heads. The first EP will be released on April 19th and will consist of five tracks. The release concert at Import Export follows on April 26th.
Hallway
Style: Indie rock
Occupation: Luzia Tyroller, Alma Tyroller, Lorenz Amesbichler, Zoë Eser, Kathrin Schiener, Felix Ferle
Since: 2023
Internet: www.instagram.com/hallway.band/