Tattooed across the fingers of Hurray for the Riff Raff’s singer Alynda Lee Segarra are the words ‘Song Bird’. Those eight letters could not be any more fitting for Segarra, a teenage runaway who found her home in the vibrant streets of the New Orleans musical community. The honesty and beauty contained in Alynda Lee Segarra’s songs has seen HFTRR release two critically acclaimed albums (Including this year’s stunning ‘Look out Mama’) and, judging by the bursting at the seams Borderline tonight, a fanbase that expands with every song sung.
With opening track ‘Little Black Star’ showing some impressive harmonies and synchronized handclaps from Bandmates Yosi Perlstein and Sam Doores (a nod to the bands roots busking on the sidewalks of Louisiana) the whole of tonight’s set sees Alynda Lee Segarra both enchanting and gracious. Singing with her eyes closed, lost in her songs of love and loss, of finding happiness and losing innocence, Segarra and Hurray For the Riff Raff fill their whole set with soulful country ballads that are a complete joy to be in the presence of.
It has to be noted that even though Alynda Lee Segarra is the main songwriter and (sometimes) Primary focus, it’s the whole band that make Hurray for the Riff Raff such a special, intimate listening experience. Yosi Perlstein, adorned with glitter, is a charming stage presence whether laying gorgeous swells of violin over songs or keeping time on drums whenever Sam Doores takes over on guitar to Duet with Segarra. Doores shows himself to be an integral part of the band and an adept musician, capable of loose yet restrained drum fills that accentuate songs like ‘Lake of Fire’ and the ode to a lost Beatle ‘The Ballad of John and Yoko’ that lay the foundation for the guitars, stand-up bass and violin that drape layers of sound over the swoon of Hurray for the Riff Raff’s music.
Older songs like ‘Take Me’ and the moving ‘Daniella’ sound fresh and invigorated live due to the tightness of the band. On record ‘Take Me’ is a lament, a heartbreaking ode to the begrudging acceptance of being used and the longing to be wanted. Live, it becomes a different entity, like the band have dug deep to find the brave face contained deep in the songs soul and brought it up to the surface. ‘Daniella’ will always be one of HFTRR’s finest moments and played live with Alynda Lee Segarra lost in her own words of unrequited love is a breathtaking sight to see.
The crowd also get two cover songs tonight, A roaring version of Townes Van Zandt’s ‘White Freight Liner Blues’ and a low-key rendition of ‘Be My Baby’. The former is a rambunctious version of Van Zandt’s ode to travelling that sees Sam Doores taking guitar duties and turning the song into a barnstorming duet with Segarra while the latter, with its infamous, slow burning drumbeat turns the Borderline into a huge singalong. It’s a perfect way to end the set, band and crowd bellowing The Ronettes classic and a smile on every face in the venue.
With the bands profile raised by storming appearances at this years End of the Road festival and an album that should see its way to being on a lot of end of year lists now is the best time to catch Hurray for the Riff Raff in a more intimate setting. Go bask in the charm of these songbirds for an hour, you won’t regret it.
Lewie Peckham
Photo by Anni Timms
