A few months ago, the New Orleans based folk trio fronted by singer/songwriter Alynda Lee Segarra released their sixth studio album, The Navigator. Today, following their previously shared title track from the album, Sgarra and her crew are now releasing a new track, titled “Living in the City” alongside a lighthearted new music video.
“Living in the City” is part of a 12 track concept album that tells a story of a street kid named Navita. The new track is about survival and salvation beneath the city’s skyscrapers. Since one of the themes within the album is street life, being as it plays an important part of the album’s narrative, the new single is one of the most crucial tracks on the album.
Directed by Giselle Bailey, the video follows Navigator protagonist Navita played by Sgarra and a group of distinctly diverse and equally beautiful women as they explore the city of New York. They are seen roaming stairwells, leaning against buildings and dancing on rooftops as the city skyscrapers blend behind them.
Lyrics of “Living in the City” provides the strength women possess; “Standing on the roof tops/We’re just yellin’ till the morning/All surrounded by the visions/Of all who came before them.” This is Sgarra’s city and it shows in the way she stands and the way she moves. She is a powerful woman just like the women she surrounds herself with, she is in control of herself in a city that could swallow her up.
Sgarra requested the music video for “Living in the City” to be handled by Bailey herself, who is best known for her work on Viceland and Nike. “I wanted Giselle Bailey to direct ‘Living in the City’ because I am a fan of her work and I knew she understood that I wanted to represent the New York City I grew up with. Women taking over public space and making room for ourselves in a society where we are so often threatened into hiding. I learned at a young age that survival in the city for me meant having a crew,” Segarra said in a statement. “Together we could move through the concrete maze and create some sense of freedom.
Watch “Living in the City” below.
Early next month, Hurray For The Riff Raff will go on a U.S tour in selected cities with support from Xenia Rubinos and Slow Dancer. Check out the tour dates below.
Hurray for the Riff Raff Tour:
9/8 Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel *
9/9 Raleigh, NC – Hopscotch Music Festival
9/10 Richmond, VA – The National *
9/11 Baltimore, MD – Rams Head Live *
9/13 Nashville, TN – AMERICANAFEST
9/15 Albany, NY – Swyer Theatre – The Egg *
9/16 Burlington, VT – Grand Point North
9/17 Montreal, Quebec – POP Montreal
9/28-30 Marfa, TX – Trans-Pecos Festival
10/10 Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern
10/17 London, England – Koko #
10/18 Liverpool, England – Arts Club #
10/19 Dublin, Ireland – Whelans #
10/21 Glasgow, Scotland – Saint Luke’s #
10/22 Nottingham, England – Rescue Rooms
10/23 Bristol, England – Trinity Centre #
10/25 Southsea, England – Wedgewood Rooms #
10/26 Paris, France – Point Ephémère #
10/27 Nijmegen, Netherlands – Doornroosje #
10/28 Amsterdam, Netherlands – Paradiso #
10/30 Odense C, Denmark – Posten #
10/31 København V, Denmark – Lille Vega #
11/2 Berlin, Germany – Privatclub #
11/3 Weissenhäuser Strand, Germany – Rolling Stone Weekender
11/4 Hoorn, Netherlands – Take Root Festival
3/2 Punta Cana, Dominican Republic – My Morning Jacket’s One Big Holiday
* = with Xenia Rubinos
#= with Slow Dancer
Photo Credit: Sharon Alagna
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