STREAM/PURCHASE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT

‘Barely Know ft. Kings’ is Ria Hall's third single in the build-up to Rules of Engagement, her long-awaited debut album. The track is a reflection of the themes that feature throughout the entire album – love and war in both traditional and contemporary contexts.

Recorded at Arch Angel Studio located at Awataha Marae on Auckland’s North Shore, ‘Barely Know’ is about uncertainty in relationships. Rules of Engagement as a whole discusses Hall’s personal battles, and this track is a reflection of that thought process, built around a chopping guitar riff and bass-heavy production from Kings.

The concept of the album draws on themes of not only love and war, but also revolution and change. The inspiration comes from a letter from Henare Taratoa to Sir George Grey, outlining the manner in which 1864’s Battle of Gate Pā (Pukehinahina) should ensue, and how both parties should conduct themselves during war. This code of conduct 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 record.

The album features performances and production from Tiki Taane, Kings, Laughton Kora, Che-Fu and Electric Wire Hustle.