Hallmark by Hallmark

Back in 2006 or 2007 or so I had decided to want to do a more "serious" musical project as I had songs that needed a home for such things. Also my more comedic musical acts (Canned Hamm, July Fourth Toilet -projects I took seriously that were more overtly funny in content and form), though well received by audiences when we had opportunities to reach them, were ignored by the music industry (when I say industry I refer to even small boutique record labels) and I thought that a more "serious" rock band with Romantic Glam leanings might warrant interest to reach people. Dan Bejar encouraged me to put a band together (a few years previously we did an acid folk project together called Points Gray that didn't fit the more Presbyterian confines of the acid folk revival that sprang up a bit later) but ultimately, despite my efforts, the industry could care less. Of this album they'd tell me how good it was but that it didn't fit. Sigh, that felt like my life story. Maybe that's why there's so much blandness out there.
That said, it was a joy to write songs, perform, and record with everyone in Hallmark. Dave Carswell recorded this album so wonderfully. The band's name may just be too common for Google but I named ourselves after Hallmark Releasing Company who devised the campaigns for the horror films "Last House On The Left" and "Mark Of The Devil", as well as the Hallmark song-poem recording company of which I am a fan.
Hallmark the band played shows in Vancouver mostly. After Jessica moved to Los Angeles, Scott and I would come to play shows with her, along with a new L.A. based rhythm section (Pete Mills and Donal Finn). There was simply no label interest in this album. I subsequently moved to Toronto to try my luck and had musical projects not really work out. A few good things happened outside of music but ultimately I was just not wanted by the arts and entertainment industry. I took the hints. I am currently in Los Angeles wondering and wandering with creative intent. Connecting with audiences -despite the industry- has been incredible and I have to remind myself of that on my difficult, more suicidal days. Along with the joyful fruits of collaboration. I do not care if you pay money for this album recorded so long ago but if you think others might enjoy it, do feel free to pass it along to them, as this is how it is finally out in the world now. I hope that you connect with it.

Love,

Robert

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