On Hurray for the Riff Raff’s new album ‘The Navigator’ (March 10/ATO Records), Alynda Segarra tells an interwoven, cinematic story of a wandering soul at a crossroads of identity and ancestral weight. It finds a street kid named Navita traversing a perpetually burning city in search of herself. ‘The Navigator’ is a thrilling call to arms that could not come at a more crucial time. It also finds Hurray for the Riff Raff at its own musical intersection, delving deep into the worlds of Latin rhythms, searing rock, and incisive ballads.
‘The Navigator’ was produced by Paul Butler (Michael Kiwanuka, St. Paul and The Broken Bones, Devendra Banhart) and recorded at Electric Lady Studios in NYC and Panoramic House in California. The album features percussionists Juan-Carlos Chaurand, Gregory Rogove (Rodrigo Amarante), a trio of Bomba drummers, and Doo Wop singers from New Jersey.
The 12 original songs were inspired by Segarra’s own journey from the South Bronx to the downtown punk scene and beyond, in search of her identity. She looked to poetry including Pedro Pietri’s ‘Puerto Rican Obituary’ and the Nuyorican Cafe, the singer-songwriter Rodriguez, Puerto Rican activist groups the Young Lords and the Ghetto Brothers, Fania Records and more. Lead single “Rican Beach” addresses the gentrification of the South Bronx and the co-opting of Puerto Rican culture in NYC and beyond. The razor-sharp rock of “Living In The City” tells the story of a city on fire, inhospitable to the marginalized. “Hungry Ghost” is an introspective anthem about Navita trying to find her voice. “Nothing’s Gonna Change That Girl” foreshadows the emergence of The Navigator, a super heroine that saves her people from a dystopian future by reconnecting them with their ancestors and pride.
Says Alynda: This is dedicated to the water protectors of Standing Rock – thank you for your bravery and giving us hope. Also, to the people of Peñuelas, Puerto Rico, who are demanding an end to the AES dumping of coal ash which leads to water contamination – we are with you.
All over the world there are heroes, who, despite suffering generations of oppression, are protecting the land and the future of our humanity. Rican Beach is a fictional place, but it was written with my ancestors in mind. It’s time to call on yours and to always remember: this land was made for you and me.
Hurray for the Riff Raff will tour extensively in 2017 and today announce a spring tour in support of the album. Full list of dates below. Tickets go on sale Friday Dec 9 at 10AM local time in the US (and Weds Dec 7 at 10AM UK time in the EU/UK).
Listen to “Rican Beach” on Spotify: http://smarturl.it/hftrr-
“The Navigator” is currently available at the band’s official store, iTunes and Amazon for fans to pre-order with an immediate download of “Rican Beach.” The PledgeMusic pre-order features exclusive items including autographed CD and vinyl, one of a kind lyric sheets, and deluxe bundles.
Track list:
- Entrance
- Living in the City
- Hungry Ghost
- Life to Save
- Nothing’s Gonna Change That Girl
- The Navigator
- Halfway There
- Rican Beach
- Fourteen Floors
- Settle
- Pa’lante
- Finale
March 21 – Manchester UK – Deaf Institute
March 22 – London UK – The Dome
March 23 – Winchester UK – The Railway Inn
March 25 – Brighton UK – Sticky Mikes
March 28 – Brussels BE – Rotonde
March 29 – Hamburg DE – Hakken
March 30 – Berlin DE – Gruener Salon
March 31 – Munich DE – Milla
April 2 – Munster DE – American Series – Pumpenhaus
April 3 – Rotterdam NL – Rotown
April 4 – Utrecht NL – EKKO
April 5 – Groningen NL –Vera
April 16 – Northampton, MA – Academy of Music
April 18 – Cambridge, MA – Sinclair
April 19 – Cambridge, MA – Sinclair
April 20 – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom
April 21 – Philadelphia, PA – World Café (downstairs)
April 23 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
April 24 – Cincinnati, OH – Woodward Theater
April 25 – Cleveland, OH – Beachland Ballroom
April 27 – Detroit, MI – Magic Bag
April 28 – Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall
April 29 – Madison, WI – High Noon Saloon
April 30 – Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line Music Café
May 2 – St. Louis, MO – Old Rock House
May 3 – Nashville, TN – Mercy Lounge
May 4 – Birmingham, AL – The Saturn
May 5 – New Orleans, LA – Civic Theatre
*All US dates w/Ron Gallo
