Hurray For The Riff Raff
- Location: New Orleans, LA
- Website:
- Bio: Hurray for the Riff Raff began in 2006 as a solo project by Alynda
Lee. At the time, Lee was a 18 year-old traveling street musician
making simple home-recordings on ... (more) - Bio: Hurray for the Riff Raff began in 2006 as a solo project by Alynda
Lee. At the time, Lee was a 18 year-old traveling street musician
making simple home-recordings on her banjo in a bathroom in Brooklyn.
These songs were intended to only be shared with friends, but they
caught the attention of Walter McClements, the leader of the New
Orleans band Why Are We Building Such A Big Ship? McClements
encouraged Lee to move to New Orleans, where the Riff Raff became a
duo, with McClements joining Lee on a host of instruments including
accordion, banjo, and toy piano. His careful and heartfelt
musicianship filled Lee's songs with essential colors and counter-
melodies.
After moving to New Orleans, Lee became immersed in New Orleans
music. Her banjo skills were honed on the streets of the French
Quarter, playing in traditional jazz bands for tips from tourists, a
vocation that still pays her rent to this day. It was through these
pick up jazz bands that she met Shae Freeman (musical saw), Aubrey
Freeman (upright bass, pedal steel), and Aurora Nealand (woodwinds)
who now round out the band.
Hurray for the Riff Raff, as it is now constituted, has just finished
their debut LP, It Don't Mean I Don't Love You, which was recorded by
Aubrey Freeman in his home studio. Lee's ability to craft a gorgeous
melody is what drives the record. The songs range from tender to
triumphant, and have a power that rarely comes from the pen of a 21
year-old. (less)
