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.

Spoonfed

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.

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

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!