[3] After dabbling with multiple instruments including trombone and bass, he decided to learn guitar in hopes of becoming a singer-songwriter one day.

[4] Shortly after, Hall left South Carolina for California where he studied classical guitar at musical boarding high school Idyllwild Arts Academy in the San Jacinto Mountains.

[5] Hall's friend Sam introduced him to the teachings of Neem Karoli Baba and Ram Dass, and the devotional music of Krishna Das.

At the temple, he learned about the Hindu goddess Kali and was happily surprised to find out people worship God as a woman.

[10] Relix praised the album, saying "The Fruitful Darkness takes stock of Hall's inner world and, as you observe him wade through the abyss, he challenges you to do the same".

[11] Hall headlined the historic Red Rocks Amphitheater on June 16, 2019, playing a packed show with Nahko and Medicine for the People, as well as Ayla Nereo.

According to Hall, the album "touches on the timeless human themes of love, struggle, growth and redemption"[13] utilizing a "palette of genres that span from folk, roots-rock, indie, and electronic, all with a consistent wash of authentic far-Eastern influence".