Trainhopping with Hurray For The Riff Raff, and jazz, classical and ambient meet in a Requiem Mass

Alynda Segarra has been making music as Hurray For The Riff Raff for nearly two decades. They ran away from NYC as a teen to ride trains across states—busking, sleeping rough and meeting all sorts of characters. They then settled in New Orleans and their music career kicked off, but their ninth and latest album, The Past Is Still Alive, finally shares the memories of those formative years of grief, love and finding community on the fringes.

Jazz drummer Laurence Pike’s new album is called The Undreamt-Of Centre and it’s a modern take on the requiem mass. Influences come from places as different as modern classical music, Japanese environmental ambient music, fourth world electronics, free jazz and the choral traditions of Estonia. Laurence joins Andy to explain how all those things come together.

Laurence Pike performs at Sydney's Church St Studios on Friday 20 September with pianist Mike Nock.

Hurray For The Riff Raff are in Australia from 4 - 13 October playing dates in the Hunter Valley, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Williamstown and Korumburra.