R.S.V.P.

WRITTEN BY: IAN RUHALA
DRUMS, PERCUSSION & BACKGROUND VOCALS: HUNTER WEST
ALL OTHER INSTRUMENTS: IAN RUHALA

MIXED BY: HUNTER WEST
MASTERED BY: TYLER LINDGREN

COVER DESIGN: ELENA S. GRAY

YOU’RE STEPPING UP
WELL ALRIGHT
BE A REAL STRAIGHT SHOOTER
DON’T YOU TWIST THAT KNIFE

YOU SAT ME DOWN
LAST NIGHT
YOU’RE A REAL TOUGH COOKIE 
CAN I TAKE A BITE

WHAT’S IN OUR HEADS
RADIO SILENCE
WELL, WHO’S IN YOUR BED
RADIO PIRATES

SO TOUGHEN UP
YOU CAN’T HAVE IT
YOU WANT TO GO, RSVP

WHAT YOU WANT
YOU CAN’T HOLD IT
YOU WANT TO SHOW HER SOME TLC

YOU’RE PLAYING OUT
WELL OUT OF SIGHT
CAN YOU SPARE A TICKET 
BECAUSE MY WALLET IS LIGHT

YOUR EMPTY NEST
A BIRD FIGHT
TIME WILL COME
WHEN THE GETTING FEELS RIGHT

WHAT’S IN YOUR HEAD
RADIO SILENCE
WELL, WHO’S IN YOUR BED 
RADIO PIRATES
SO TOUGHEN UP
YOU CAN’T HAVE IT
YOU WANT TO GO, RSVP

WHAT YOU WANT
YOU CAN’T HOLD IT
YOU WANT TO SHOW HER SOME TLC

SO TOUGHEN UP
YOU CAN’T HAVE IT
YOU WANT TO GO, RSVP

WHAT YOU WANT
YOU CAN’T HOLD IT
YOU WANT TO SHOW HER SOME TLC

R.S.V.P.

WAIT FOREVER

WRITTEN BY: IAN RUHALA
DRUMS, AUX PERCUSSION, ELECTRIC GUITAR, BASS & BACKGROUND VOCALS: HUNTER WEST
CELLO: BEN COLLINS
VIOLIN (1) + (2): ESTHER KATE
ALL OTHER INSTRUMENTS: IAN RUHALA

SHE’S SWEET
SURRENDER TO
IF LOOKS COULD KILL
WELL BABY I WOULD HAUNT YOU

FORGIVE ME DEAR
OH I CONFESS
I WANT YOU NOW OR NEVER OH NEVERTHELESS

WELL IT’S JUST A PHRASE THEY SAY
IT’S JUST A PHASE IN WAYS
BEING IN LOVE

WELL IT’S JUST THE WAY IT TAKES
WHAT WILL YOU GIVE OR TAKE
NOW THAT YOU’VE GONE

I CANNOT WAIT FOREVER
I CANNOT WAIT FOREVER

SHE NEEDS
SERENITY
YOUR CUTTING TIES 
WELL DARLING DON’T CUT ME

FORGET THE PAST
BUT REMEMBER THIS
I WANT YOU NOW OR NEVER OH NEVERTHELESS

WELL IT’S JUST A GAME WE PLAY
IT’S JUST THE WORDS WE SAY
WHILE WE MAKE UP

WELL LET’S JUST ABBREVIATE 
TAKE TIME TO STOP AND STATE
THE FEELING IS GONE

I CANNOT WAIT FOREVER
I CANNOT WAIT FOREVER
I CANNOT WAIT
I CANNOT WAIT

Wait Forever

RUN TO YOU

WRITTEN BY: IAN RUHALA
ALL INSTRUMENTS: IAN RUHALA

I’M GOING TO MESS THIS UP TONIGHT
LONGING FOR THE WAY
THAT YOU COULD PUT ME IN

IT’S A TERROR AND A FRIGHT
THE WORLD IN WHICH WE LIVE
I THINK I’M GIVING IN

LOVE
LOVE IS ALL I NEED
MARY SAY YOU’LL BE WITH ME

‘CAUSE I WOULD RUN TO YOU
COUNTRY GIRL TAKE IT FROM ME

I WOULD RUN TO YOU
LONELY WE WILL SURVIVE

I REALLY FUCKED IT UP YOU’RE RIGHT
LOOKING FOR THE WORDS 
THAT I COULD SACRIFICE

I’M GOING TO LEAVE IT ALL OUTRIGHT
A CREATURE OF COMFORT
A HABIT DESIRED

BUT, I WOULD RUN TO YOU
COUNTRY GIRL TAKE IT FROM ME

I WOULD RUN TO YOU
LONELY I WILL SURVIVE

MAYBE CASTLES IN THE SAND
SURROUND YOU

LATELY ETCHES IN OUR TIME
ARREST TOO
A REST TOO

I WOULD RUN TO YOU
COUNTRY GIRL TAKE IT FROM ME

I WOULD RUN TO YOU
LONELY WE WILL SURVIVE

ALL I NEED IS YOU
ALL I NEED IS YOU…

Run to You

DIAMOND TEARS (FEAT. EMILY PARRISH)

WRITTEN BY: EMILY PARRISH & IAN RUHALA
ALL INSTRUMENTS: EMILY PARRISH & IAN RUHALA

SAW YOU AT THE FUNCTION
MAKIN’ YOUR ROUNDS
WATCHED YOU TAKE HER HAND IN
AND IT’S BRINGING ME DOWN
TRIPPED HEAD OVER HEELS
INTO THE DIRT
IF YOU CAN’T BEAR TO LOSE THEN
WHY DID YOU KISS ME FIRST

DON’T YOU CRY
OVER BOYS
THEY TASTE LIKE MILK AND HONEY
BUT THEY’RE SOON TO BE SPOILED
YOU CAN BUY YOUR OWN BEERS
NO BATHROOM STALL DESERVES
YOUR DIAMOND TEARS

YOUR DIAMOND TEARS
YOUR DIAMOND TEARS
YOUR DIAMOND TEARS

I SAW YOUR APPARITION
A STICK IN THE MUD
WALKED INTO THE PARTY
YOUR EYES WEIGHED A TON
TRIPPED HEAD OVER HEELS
RIGHT INTO THIS
IF YOU CAN’T BEAR TO LOSE THEN
WHY DID YOU KISS ME FIRST

DON’T YOU CRY
OVER GIRLS
THEY TAKE YOUR FILTH AS FUNNY
BUT THEY’RE SOON TO RECOIL
YOU CAN BUY
YOUR OWN WHISKEY
NO PARKING LOT DESERVES
YOUR DIAMOND TEARS

YOUR DIAMOND TEARS
YOUR DIAMOND TEARS
YOUR DIAMOND TEARS
YOUR DIAMOND TEARS

Diamond Tears (feat. Emily Parrish)

WRITTEN BY: IAN RUHALA

DRUMS, PERCUSSION & BACKGROUND VOCALS: HUNTER WEST
ALL OTHER INSTRUMENTS: IAN RUHALA

I NEVER THOUGHT THAT I WOULD FIND LOVE AGAIN
THINKING OF IT NOW AND HOW IT SEEMED TO BEGIN
AND THE FEELINGS THAT HAD BEEN BUT

YOU WERE FEELING BURDENED BY CONSTANT CONSOLATION
LIKE YOU WERE DROWNING DOUBTS IN THE CUPS OF CONVERSATION

WHEN YOU TELL ME BUT WHY
OH ME, OH MY
YOU TELL ME BUT WHY
OH ME, OH MY
YOU TELL ME BUT WHY
OH ME, OH MY
YOU TELL ME BUT WHY
OH ME, OH MY

I NEVER FELT LIKE I COULD BE WHOLE AGAIN
REFLECTING ON IT NOW SINCE YOU’RE UNDER MY SKIN

OH WHERE DO I BEGIN THOUGH
DARLING I’M LOOKING FOR AFFECTION

WONDER WHY YOU SEEM TO LEAVE THE SAME IMPRESSION

WHEN PASSION IS WHAT PASSION DOES
AND WHAT PASSION IS IS WHAT PASSION BECOMES

WHEN YOU TELL ME BUT WHY
OH ME, OH MY
YOU TELL ME BUT WHY
OH ME, OH MY
YOU TELL ME BUT WHY
OH ME, OH MY
YOU TELL ME BUT WHY
OH ME, OH MY

YOU THINK YOUR SECRETS SAFE WITH ME

WELL THINK AGAIN

YOU THINK YOUR SECRETS SAFE WITH ME

WELL THINK AGAIN

YOU THINK YOUR SECRETS SAFE WITH ME
YOU THINK YOUR SECRETS SAFE WITH ME
YOU THINK YOUR SECRETS SAFE WITH ME
YOU THINK YOUR SECRETS SAFE WITH ME

Oh Me, Oh My

Ian Ruhala, better known as HALA, has been writing and recording music for several years now and at the
young age of 19, he is already a singer/songwriter veteran.

With several releases already under his belt, even before graduating high school, Ruhala has created some
buzz with his solo, at-home/DIY recording style that relates well with music from artists like M. Ward,
Mac DeMarco and Travis Bretzer.

After attending college at Central Michigan University for a semester, Ruhala’s mind was more on lyrics than
on school-work. Writing over sixty songs during this time period, Ian decided to fully immerse himself into his passion to manufacture his first proper debut, Spoonfed.

The meaning behind Spoonfed, as Ruhala explains, is about dealing with the things and ideas that people feed you when you are young, and trying to do your best to not repeat the norm. Songs like “Phone Calls,” and
“Not Your Modern Man” discuss topics like marrying young, and society’s fear of face-to-face interaction
with each other, with lyrics that you will be surprised to find out, came from an 18 year old kid from Michigan.

Every song on this album tells a story; heart-break is talked about in the ironically upbeat song “Reruns,” and the track “Just Because,” shows HALA’s appreciation for the simple things in life, with the line, “Sunday morning, Dad’s at home, watches football and paints his toes, will I ever be?” One thing is for sure, it is extremely refreshing to see someone so young be able to produce something of this magnitude; Ruhala’s future is bright.

Get your bowls, and a spoon, because this Indie singer/songwriter says, "breakfast is served."

©Balaclava Records. All rights reserved.

Just Because

Not Your Modern Man

I Don't Need A Reason To Love You

Tell Them All Relax

Hesitate

Feelings Locked Up Tight

Club Soda

Ian Ruhala, better known as HALA, has been writing and recording music for several years now and at the
young age of 18, he is already a singer/songwriter veteran.
 
With several releases already under his belt, even before graduating high school, Ruhala has created some
buzz with his solo, at-home/DIY recording style that relates well with music from artists like M. Ward,
Mac DeMarco and Travis Bretzer.
 
After attending college at Central Michigan University for a semester, Ruhala’s mind was more on lyrics than
on school-work. Writing over sixty songs during this time period, Ian decided to fully immerse himself into his passion to manufacture his first proper debut, Spoonfed.
 
The meaning behind Spoonfed, as Ruhala explains, is about dealing with the things and ideas that people feed you when you are young, and trying to do your best to not repeat the norm. Songs like “Phone Calls,” and
“Not Your Modern Man” discuss topics like marrying young, and society’s fear of face-to-face interaction
with each other, with lyrics that you will be surprised to find out, came from an 18 year old kid from Michigan.
 
Every song on this album tells a story; heart-break is talked about in the ironically upbeat song “Reruns,” and the track “Just Because,” shows HALA’s appreciation for the simple things in life, with the line, “Sunday morning, Dad’s at home, watches football and paints his toes, will I ever be?” One thing is for sure, it is extremely refreshing to see someone so young be able to produce something of this magnitude; Ruhala’s future is bright.
 
Get your bowls, and a spoon, because this Indie singer/songwriter says, "breakfast is served."

What Is Love? Tell Me, Is It Easy?

Reruns

Phone Calls

Written/Recorded by: Ian Ruhala 
Mixed by: Ian Ruhala 
Mastered by: Jake Halkey at The Verona in Detroit, Michigan

Lyrics:
I want to love you at dinner 
I want to love you and take you out to dinner tonight 
I find the secrets that we keep, are so ice cold nice 
And if I was any brighter I'd take you to a place of class 
And get to the table on time, and fill it with your red wine glass 

I think I found a way 
To your heart 

I want to love you at dinner 
I want to love you and take you out to dinner 
I want to love you at dinner 
I want to love you then treat you right 
Oh, yes I believe that 
Dessert is in order 
Now get to the table on time, and let your wine spill all over 

I think I found a way 
To your heart

Found A Way - Single

HALA // "Found A Way"

Found A Way

Released December 13, 2017 
Written/Recorded by: Ian Ruhala 
Mixed by: Ian Ruhala 
Mastered by: Jon Zott

Love Grows - Single

Love Grows

Download/Buy

A-Side: Sorry 
B-Side: More Than Anything

Written/Recorded by: Ian Ruhala 
At Hazelwood Manor, Room #205, January-May of 2017 
Detroit, Michigan 

Mixed by: Jon Zott, & Ian Ruhala 
Mastered by: Jon Zott 
Vinyl Mastering by: Jon Zott 
Artwork/Design by: Bryan Iglesias 
Vinyl Production by: Jarrett Koral of Jett Plastic Recordings 

Thanks to: Benji & Becky, Carpet, Jace Angle, El Benzino, Baby Joey, & Blic.

Sorry // Single

More Than Anything

Sorry

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! 

https://www.girlsrockdetroit.org/

ALL PROCEEDS/ROYALTIES/ETC... in the month of February, will be donated to the non-profit organization, Girls Rock Detroit. 

Mission: Girls Rock Detroit is a community organization dedicated to fostering creative expression, positive self-esteem and community awareness for girls, women, gender non-conforming, and transgender people through music education and performance. By encouraging creativity, confidence, and collaboration in a supportive environment, we strive to empower young people to challenge preconceived notions of what they can do, what they can become, and become engaged members of our communities. We believe it is crucial that all young people have access to equipment and instruction regardless of their socio-economic background, religion, race, gender identity, sexuality or ethnicity.

Lyrics
The memory, 
Is drifting with the pain of, 
Analogies, 
That your heart's not to blame for, 
Purposely, 
Tightening the reins on, 
What we had, 
Because now it's not the same. 

But, I'm going to 
Keep on loving you, 
Keep on loving you, 
Keep on loving you... 

Mercury, 
Is in retrograde again and, 
The stars align, 
For this thing to begin, 
Keeping to myself is what I majored in but, 
I've been looking up so now I think I'm in, 

That's why I'm going to, 
Keep on loving you, 
Keep on loving you, 
Keep on loving you... 

Keep on loving you, 
Keep on loving you, 
Keep on loving you...

Credits
released February 14, 2018 
Written/Recorded by: Ian Ruhala 
Detroit, Michigan 
January 2018 

Cover Art by: Amina Vanderhyde & Laura Benson 

Thanks to: Laura, Judson, Blic, Jace Angle, Carpet, and a lot of other people I love dearly.

Keep On Loving

DONATE TO G.R.D.

got no girls 
got no tricks 
but, when i speed 
i get my kicks 

brakes? 
i don't got any 
breaks? 
i don't take many 

i just want to go faster 
i want to go fast 

speed is my right 
and my religion 
if you have not tried it 
then you have been missing 

speed is my friend 
speed is my vision 
cops will say 
it is my addiction 

i just want to go faster 
i want to go fast
credits

released October 9, 2018 

Jack 
Ian 
Austin 
Carson 

TY 2018 

Recorded at the TY Ranch in Hazel Park, Michigan, 48030

TY / I Just Want To Go Fast

Free Download

The new album 'Red Herring' is out May 1st, 2020
Preorder/presave the new album 'Red Herring' - https://hala.ffm.to/redherring

"Emotional R&B"
Written by: Ian Ruhala 
Produced by: Ryan Hadlock at Bear Creek Studio
Additional Production by: Ian Ruhala

Lyrics
You ask for a kiss
While acting so cruel
We’re swimming in bed
Just like it’s a pool
Strangers not strange
Until you know them
The only good reason for you to stay the night
Is to confuse him
But, I ain’t complaining
Emotional R&B’s got me singing
All of these words to you
You plead a case of “willingful blindness”
Dear god is below, our faith is behind this
Strangers so strange
When you notice
The only good reason for you to put him out
Is to condone this
But I ain’t complaining
Emotional R&B’s got me singing
All of these words to you

Red Herring

Emotional R&B

preorder the limited edition 'Red Herring' vinyl - https://hala.ffm.to/redherring
check out the animated video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqjjQgVNcIg

Why Do You Want Anything To Do With Me?

Making Me Nervous

Somehow

We Can Start Again

With You Now (It’s The Only Place I Want To Be)

Download the song here - https://hala.ffm.to/emotional-rnb-remix
Listen to my album 'Red Herring' - https://hala.ffm.to/redherring

Emotional R&B remix

Hala is the borderless alt-indie project of Detroit-based songwriter/producer, Ian Ruhala. Beginning as an at home, D.I.Y., recording venture in 2014, Hala has since released two full length records, one EP, and several singles. This includes; 2016’s, Spoonfed, which recorded in an attic behind the Motown Museum offered the bedroom pop breakout, “What Is Love? Tell Me, Is It Easy?.” 2018 brought the release of “Sorry,” a fun, jangly, pop piece, which flashed Ruhala’s guitar prowess at its pinnacle. Red Herring via Cinematic Music Group, would be Hala’s second proper full length, but it also marked the first time the recording outfit would shift into a professional studio. The album would become a “hodge-podge” of home recordings, and studio recordings, showcasing Ruhala’s genre-hopping capabilities, rendering songs like “Somehow,” and the caffeinated, but pop-centric number, “Why Would You Want Anything To Do With Me?.” Hala’s first release in 2023 brings yet another new chapter. Single “R.S.V.P.” is both heavy and danceable in an interesting juxtaposition. It also hints at Hala returning back to the more independent mentality in which it began. Look forward to Hala’s intensive release schedule throughout the rest of the year, and companion music videos as well!

Hala

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