Hurray For the Riff Raff: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

Feb. 5, 2018 | Bob Boilen -- Alynda Segarra's unamplifed voice in this Tiny Desk performance had no problem rising above the drums, congas, cello, violin, bass, keyboards, and an electric guitar. The passion for her Puerto Rican roots feels boundless. As Soul Captain for Hurray for the Riff Raff, she and her band weave tales of man's inhumanity to fellow humans, often from bigotry, intolerance and ignorance.
But the spirit that arises out of her ancestral roots and its clash with twenty-first century cultural insensitivities inspires the brilliance that is Hurray For The Riff Raff's latest album, The Navigator. This 2017 release and the songs that grace it are at the heart of the fervency Alynda Segarra sings about so animatedly at the Tiny Desk. The song "Pa'lante," one of the most articulate songs of a generation, speaks of being colonized and hypnotized, sterilized and dehumanized, with the refrain, "pa'lante" which translates as "forward." I think of it as "onward." To continue the fight to freedom and respect. As Alynda Segarra preaches:
"To all who lost their pride, I say, Pa'lante!
To all who had to survive, I say, Pa'lante!
To my brothers, and my sisters, I say, Pa'lante!"
Writing songs with a message can often turn out to be well-meaning, but musically less memorable. These songs, however, play as anthems and help do what music can do best - build bridges, unite people and form communities. Hurray for the Riff Raff, indeed!
SET LIST
"Rican Beach"
"Pa'lante"
"Nothing's Gonna Change That Girl"
MUSICIANS
Alynda Segarra (vocals/guitar), Jordan Hyde (guitar), Charlie Ferguson (drums), Sarah Goldstone (keys), Claudia Chopek (violin), Patricia Santos (Cello), Juan-Carlos Chaurand (percussion)
CREDITS
Producers: Bob Boilen, Morgan Noelle Smith; Creative Director: Bob Boilen; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Morgan Noelle Smith, Maia Stern, Bronson Arcuri, Alyse Young; Production Assistant: Salvatore Maicki; Photo: Claire Harbage/NPR
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[@sociolog204]

I'm so happy that I got Alynda at a free concert she did in NYC 2 summers ago in a park along the Hudson River. It was one of the most beautiful intimate event I've been to. I sat in the front with my daughter and granddaughter and sang along to all her music and got up to dance. She has a beautiful voice and her music is about resistance.

[@joninehritamusic]

My goodness she is a powerful force. Never heard of this band until today & this is the beauty of Tiny Desk- constantly introducing me to my new fav music!

[@gtwoc356]

Simply amazing. I love Alynda Segarra's vocals and style. Hurray for the Riff Raff!

[@beckyeimer4093]

I have see Alynda's band perform twice and they have knocked me off my feet each time.

[@glenn1075]

If she reminds you of a young Patti Smith, then we are paying attention. Fantastic.

[@b.csplatbriancross7062]

No, she don't in any way.

[@freaksale109]

This is exactly what I said the other day

[@gayatree3344]

yea except Alynda isn't racist

[@ebaiderrick]

Ain't ever heard of this band. So I'm cheerfully enjoy it and pass my stay here while hopping on the search bar to get more of them.

[@brianbirde-mann9468]

me too!!!! a link on facebook brought me to them

[@Alcoda777]

Currently crying on my lunch break because this is so inspiring.

[@eddieredmond7674]

u lucky git! U got a job listenin to sounds?!

[@Nautilus1972]

Seek help ... GL.

[@nohabloemojislosiento4930]

I can understand the lunch break feels.

[@iGFXDave]

This is great! She has the voice and the power only a few legendary singers have ever had.

[@saturdayboy4454]

truth

[@isras6702]

Good voice control, Lovely band, Even better messages through lyrics - Who else loves the message?

[@somalisketch8601]

Isra Sabir damn you look beautiful.

[@skwmusic5233]

Pa'Lante!

[@tiaguitorossy]

Isra Sabir ✊🏼 pa lante 100x35 libre

[@joesurfer9754]

@@sireugenecourtney5797 But let me guess. you want free government controlled college?

[@lanzarlaluna]

One of my wife's favorite artists. I bought her tickets to see them in Austin for her birthday. 🤫🤫🤫

[@markschisler7874]

I love this girl in all her forms. In the few years that I've know this band it's changes have been complete and extreme. But her TALENT seems endless and her BEAUTY is too.

[@dana33185]

Same...through all the changes in the music over the years, she has remained genuine and true to herself. One of the most important voices and lyricists in music today.

[@daytonnielsen2555]

Crazy...organic. ..The band and the lady is a gem

[@TOrtiz-jc7dk]

Gave me goosebumps. Her voice, message, passion. Gracias amiga.

[@colorfullifeproductions464]

we absolutely stand behind this .....beautiful

[@jeneehalstead]

"All the poets were dying form a silence disease, so it happened quickly and with much ease." Such and incredible song.

[@brandonlalli2690]

Yet

[@cristiedojaquez2273]

Thank you for the powerful music, I know I’m not alone

[@doctorbernet]

Feeling your music heavy on my heart. Just beautiful. Thank you...

[@Snoopysnowconemaker]

My new favorite band. So happy I found them.

[@stewartmcdowall2285]

Had forgotten how truly fine this woman is! A wonderful rediscovery that gives me hope for a better world. Love and live, then pass it on.

[@SmirkBlondi]

I'm so in love with this woman

[@petelyon3439]

This is one of the most inspired performances I have ever seen. Powerful, beautiful and IMPORTANT. If this doesn't resonate with some part of you, well, pa'lante.

[@freaksale109]

❤️

[@awwills66]

What a force of nature she is! Obsessed with this/them/their whole deal

[@blackuprise]

thanks NPR Music for bringing us great music and vibes

[@gabibhello]

loooove the guitar work on here. + adore HFTRR and the powerful songs they bring ❤‍🔥

[@14wAYNE]

This is exceptional. Best band I've heard in ages. I've only just discovered them!

[@toyotav8383]

Been listening since days of the riff raff ! Magical ! Keep it. Up !

[@lunadeluz4229]

You guys made me feel something. Strength, courage, and self confidence. I thank you. That's what music it about. Kudos.

[@ashleysapp1333]

Obviously those who disagree politically are going to dislike but she still carries on! Much respect. Lyrics are bold and powerful. Palante had a little Beatles vibe, like it alot! I appreciate the Spanish music vibes underneath

[@Nautilus1972]

You are one sexy woman.

[@ChillTheFuckOutMeditations]

Brilliant!!! I love this band so much! That first song is killer!

[@Sietsefiets]

Wild Tribe i

[@kimberlyrobinson7853]

I just remember watching the video for Palante and crying my eyes out. Sometimes their music is too much for my heart.

[@kevbre]

So good. Hurray for the Riff Raff!

[@htnickel]

Seen them IRL and they conscious humans. This performance just makes me love them and her especially that much more.

[@leyarolgar1273]

Fantástic! Desplegando conciencia a través de la magia de la música! De altura!!! THANKS!!!💋❤💋❤

[@susantau]

Fantastic rhythm, poetry, music, performance, not to mention vision. Thank you.

[@danielao9585]

Bravissimi..bel concerto

[@Hazwench]

I first learned of Hooray for the Riff Raff when they won a best song award for The Body Electric (as reported here on NPR music) - a beautiful and disturbing song. Been following them since. Alynda is a force. Pa'lante people!

[@delewan]

Wow! She's got the power and the spirit.

[@AliAli-ey1xx]

Amazing! Her voice is miracle✨

[@Dreggz1312]

She's amazing

[@Feedurehed]

Excellent, love how this band have evolved!

[@stayoutofthecitys]

I love this band

[@ThePunkyDuck]

ahhhh in was hoping she'd sing Pa'lante! It's one of my favorite songs! and this live version is fantastic!

[@ft-eg8tq]

i love the message their music has

[@FabiolaRoznav]

Pa lante my friends!!!

[@frankakwetey2354]

Something quiet different, it's refreshing and for me coming frm Africa their compositions sound familiar.... Love the message they preach too.... Good band 👍

[@Cupofgo]

Keep making beautiful music from your beautiful souls!. This is wonderful.

[@PelleKuipers]

Jesus fuck this hit me like a truck. Her voice is mesmerising and the band is really wonderful. I love it! Thanks for letting them play.

[@kennethbrady]

Blew my mind. Thank you !

[@andrewjones_fitness]

This kicked ass.

[@rickamira4292]

Poetry in music motion- All my Best-- Great arrangement and backup You are my new favorite group!

[@karinapalacios4246]

Thank you Sharp things!

[@loicthiant7448]

It's Sharp objects Brah !!!!

[@gwalsh1965]

Beautiful ❤

[@adanacman666]

judging by whats on the radio these days,I truly thought real music was finished,that young people didnt care at all,bout actually playing insturments,and well, all that,but watching this show,and being exposed to all these young artists,I can die easy, knowing that true, great young artists, like these guys,and many others, will never let real music die,and thank you for that.....

[@StevlandAmbrose]

Yeah, lots of good music out there... it never went away. What happened is that the corporate music industry learned how to maximize its profits by pushing concentrated shiite music "product" to the masses. But Tiny Desk is one of many great sources for burrowing down the endless rabbit hole of amazing music if you care to. Similar sources: kzbin.infovideos www.pastemagazine.com/daytrotter

[@Kazmajol]

there’s just so much out there... much of it excellent!

[@estebangranado]

Adelante, Alynda! Besos desde España

[@jeffandersen7397]

just bought tickets for April 2024 in Los Angeles !

[@franciscobello1519]

8:30, Pedro Pietri, verses from Nuyorican poet's "Puerto Rican Obituary"

[@ianlambert8034]

Just as an aside, I love that big Epiphone she's playing. How things have moved on since the early days in New Orleans!

[@kevcaster]

Always brilliant, gets better and better

[@MedSou]

Pa ' lante ❤☯

[@patriciaburke2401]

Great voice and message. She reminds me of Buffy Saint Marie. Don’t let them stop you!

[@workingtoseethelight8244]

Wow... I need to move to Puerto Rico... Pa’lante!!!

[@TheoWTF]

Love this, their cover of Jealous Guy is amazing too

[@marialimon4138]

Damn, that was good. P'alante, y'all!

[@schymark8392]

Alynda looks STUNNING!!! Sings like a "SONG BIRD" I absolutely love this girl.. Saw her 2 years ago at a very small venue up state NY She's getting better with every performance

[@MIGProductions1]

Saw these guys open for Bon Iver in Vancouver and absolutely loved them. Checked out their studio stuff and it's just not the same. They should release some live stuff for sure.

[@workingtoseethelight8244]

I LOVE YOU!!! PA' LANTE

[@riiosevilla3605]

Que buen gusto y cuanta fuerza.

[@TinojPrietoAguilar]

qué maravilla!!! abrazos de bienestar para todxs.

[@KMHSeattle]

And the poets shall lead us. Well, me anyway. I love their music So Much. 💞💜💞

[@GotNextVideo]

I saw them live maybe a decade ago and they were like a whole different band. A lot of folk Americana influences, all accoustic, with a lot of odd instrument choices in there (Washboard, sawblade, toy piano, etc). Alynda was rocking a banjo back then.

[@PriestsandParamedics]

While I prefer their older stuff, I'm glad they're able to make the music they want to make and be successful. I'm also glad they're standing up for the little people in their music.

[@haley_pug5877]

Kevin Hitchcock exactly! I hate it when fans get mad at bands for changing things up a bit.

[@Francisco_420]

Kevin Hitchcock marginalized sir not "little".

[@squeakeththewheel]

many great ones changed things up and expanded their music: Neil Young, Bon Iver/Justin Vernon

[@PriestsandParamedics]

@@Francisco_420 Your right, it's an older expression.

[@Francisco_420]

@@PriestsandParamedics Yeah, old language is full of condescending words.. glad you see it👍

[@crisjitaru953]

Hell yeah Pa lante!!! Feel something

[@keevee09]

Power to the people comes from the people. Stand together for the good right reasons.

[@paulgibby6932]

Came here from a 2010 Tuba Skinny vid where Alynda Segarra had different hair and was playing banjo. Some change :) She has a great voice and presence and message. Love these performances. She has the power and passion of Nina Simone

[@iamyourblackmailer]

Am I the only one having some Fiona Apple vibes from this? Love her voice and energy!

[@rickamira4292]

You deserve another comment-- Pure magic - This is crazy-- But listening to you reminds me of early Frank Zappa-- Mellifluous oratory!!

[@tannergariepy3408]

Just saw these guys live the other with Bon Iver, never heard of them before then but now im hooked

[@sinnombre-uc7pw]

😭😭😭thank you for this medicine

[@skylark183]

Beautiful

[@nimbusrex]

Rockstar for our time

[@sawekziokowski7114]

They finally visited npr. Pure happiness

[@irenicum]

Utterly mesmerizing.

[@stuartmbrown66]

Shame I can't give this a thumbs up each time I listen to it.

[@danthebeachman]

There's a woman who loves what she does!!

[@ArtBusker]

So good !!!!

[@robertoherrador]

Yeah great music guys a lot of latin soul inside. friendly greetings to Justin, reminicensing time in the beach "el tunco" in San Salvador. Forward raza!

[@Chronomatrix]

This is great! I love their hair color tbh.

[@jjms7167]

Her covers of jealous guy and drunken angel are life changing

[@robertoventrillon7624]

Well, amazing as usual.

[@Tyguy760]

Yes! Friend showed me them a few years ago. Watching later with a cold one.

[@Tyguy760]

Well that was fuckin weird

[@lamontwhite7752]

I love this song

[@johnconstantinopoulos7446]

I just fall in love with her, that's all for today.

[@chrislowe4760]

I love everything about hurray for the riff raff. With that said, I preferred their old sound.

[@raleydelk3541]

My New Orleans love

[@yladoma]

it sounds like Afrobeat Patti Smith ! I like it guys

[@matt.pma.kresnaputra5458]

Good call! I definitely fee that

[@glenn1075]

I just posted about Patti as well and read your post , :) terrific

[@JudyMaryAndYuki]

Nice description.

[@sanjuroardonar1814]

Know what? I was going to write that her performance gave me same king of a shock as discovering Patti Smith in the 70's. Cheers friend. (And power to the people)

[@guilleterra]

Her vibrato and voice color has a Grace Slick kinda vibe.

[@meoww_33]

Yes! I was think this too

[@staciaburton4038]

Force for Unification Alive & WoW 🎉

[@stevecarter8810]

Getting such power from her! I hesitate to invoke Nina Simone or Marlena Shaw but... she's definitely not one of the autotune crowd, huh?

[@fennarios]

I here so much lennon in this im in love

[@Melonheadinbed]

i feel like if Rage Against the Machine was reincarnated as a female spirit it would be this band. fierce can be gentle.

[@ZASurvivalist]

Melonheadinbed no. Not even close.

[@SnowUltra]

Rage against the machine is exactly what they preach against.

[@superimposedfun]

She sounds so much like Fiona Apple stylistically

[@mrmenw]

@@SnowUltra wrong

[@SnowUltra]

@@mrmenw they're signed to a major record label, broadcast on major corporate radio stations, and their songs have no meaning anymore because they're so overplayed.