Hurray for the Riff Raff may centre around singer and songrwriter Alynda Lee Segarra, but their unique approach to blending classic Americana with queer culture, and storied origins of coming together as a band while hopping trains and crossing the country promise point to a more nuanced iconography.
“It’s grown into this bigger idea of feeling like we really associate with the underdog,” Segarra says in the band's bio.  This summer, underdogs of Winnipeg and beyond will have a chance to see their new heroes live as Hurray for the Riff Raff joins the slate of musicians performing at the Winnipeg Folk Festival.
The Folk Festival is known for hosting smaller acts who are right at that magical hour of their career where they’ve honed their craft carefully and are about to outgrow the stages they’re standing on.  This summer may be the last chance to see Segarra and her band in such an intimate setting, as Hurray for the Riff Raff is just beginning to creep into the mainstream consciousness with their new album Small Town Heroes.
Segarra recently appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman, performing her twist on the classic murder ballad. In "The Body Electric", Segarra aligns herself with the murdered women commonly featured in this style, asking “Tell me what’s a man with a rifle in his hand / Gonna do for a world that’s so sick and sad”.  
This song is a powerful critique of our societal acceptance of violence against women, and shines a light on how this tradition has been replicated in song.  Hurray for the Riff Raff could rightly claim a lineage of folk musicians who have used their voices and instruments to challenge the status quo, and asked their audience to take notice of issues reaching far beyond the music.
But don’t be lulled into underestimating the music either.  Hurray for the Riff Raff’s songs are expertly crafted, deeply rooted in New Orleans blues and Americana; They’re simple and pared down to showcase Segarra’s fierce vocals when needed, and alternately bursting into lush swells of fiddle, slide guitar, and keys.  Segarra makes one thing clear: the Riff Raff are definitely a force to be reckoned with.
Catch Hurray for the Riff Raff, along with Baskery and Oliver Swain’s Big Machine at the Big Bluestem stage on Friday, July 11 from 2:30-3:45. In case that’s not enough, check out Green Ask on Saturday, July 12 from 12:30-1:45 as they join Elephant Revival and Spirit Family Reunion for a second workshop.