Hip-Hop/Rap
Hala
About Hala
Born
February 3, 1998
Genre
Hip-Hop/Rap
A Detroit-based singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, Ian Ruhala crafts breezy bedroom pop with infectious melodies and a strong D.I.Y. spirit. Recording under the name Hala, he built up a grass-roots following during his teenage years in the mid-2010s, releasing a series of catchy home-recorded albums that eventually earned him a deal with Universal, which issued his studio debut in 2020.
Growing up in Detroit, Ruhala learned to play guitar from his father and was schooled in the classic rock of the Who and the Beatles. He was particularly inspired by Paul McCartney's ability to play numerous different instruments and, using free recording software and a hodgepodge of budget equipment, taught himself how to build tracks and record all the parts himself. While in high school, Ruhala began releasing home-recorded albums under his nickname, Hala, that melded his vintage rock influences with the kind of lo-fi pop aesthetic of contemporary indie artists like Mac DeMarco. Between 2014 and 2018, he was extremely prolific, developing his style over numerous self-released albums and singles, racking up big streaming numbers with songs like "Sorry" and "What Is Love, Tell Me, Is It Easy?," and gigging around Metro Detroit. Signing with Universal, Hala headed to Washington to record his major-label debut with producer Ryan Hadlock (the Lumineers, Vance Joy). Red Herring was released in April 2020. ~ Timothy Monger
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