Rules of Engagement is Ria Hall’s long-awaited debut album, and is also the basis for the album and the live performances. The concept of the album draws on themes of love and war, revolution and change. The key inspiration comes from the letter from Henare Taratoa to Sir George Grey, outlining the manner in which 1864’s Battle of Pukehinahina (Gate Pā) should ensue, and how both parties should conduct themselves during war.
This code of conduct was known as the 'Rules of Engagement' which is where this project takes its name from.
As a descendent of the Tauranga tribes, Rules of Engagement will see Hall bring this to life both live and on her new record.
Ria Hall is free-thinking, edgy and unapologetic. Her sound fuses furious hip hop beats and richly layered vocals in English and Te Reo, creating an epic soundscape of many genres. The show and album will both touch on themes of love and war, revolution and change.
Polished, edgy & iconoclastic, this is Hall’s first performance with a band in Tauranga, incorporating visuals based around the album and its Rules.
This special performance will see Hall accompanied live by Wellington three-piece powerhouse The Nudge with special guest vocalists, and also combining with award-winning artist Tracey Tawhiao to create a unique stage set which will coincide with the launch of an exhibition by Tracey.
A multi-skilled contemporary artist, Tawhiao is a writer, performance poet and filmmaker, who conveys the breadth of her experience and position as a Maori woman in a European-dominated society through her artwork. Tawhiao will combine with Hall to create not only the Rules of Engagement stage show, but also an exhibition around the album and its artwork, which will appear at the The Baycourt Theatre Foyer in Tauranga.
