REVIEW: That Full Moon Feeling: LUNA Celebrates One Year of Soothing the Soul
10/21/2024 at Mount Ida Preservation Hall, Troy NY
“It was more than an all-star showcase of some of the Capital Region’s finest rising artists. The LUNA Series has served the function that Natalie Seagriff set out for it to serve: it is a place where the sacrament of music is given to those of us seeking out some soul healing.”
For some of us, music is akin to a sacrament; it’s a spiritual experience with the ability to transcend physical reality in ways we can understand but sometimes struggle to quantify. Natalie Seagriff started curating the LUNA Series, with a focus on the healing powers of music and the full moon, approximately one year ago with this experience top of mind. After starting at a different venue (The Studio in Troy), it wasn’t long before the series was relocated to the incredibly ambient Mount Ida Preservation Hall on Congress Street to find a home that truly fits this concept like a glove.
The hall is ripe with classic architecture, a repurposed church with gothic influences that make the room have a personality of its own; it’s as much a part of these shows as the artists and the audience, and that was on full display all night long as the series celebrated its first birthday. The distinct stage setup complete with low lighting and a semi-circle of candles surrounding the artists at the foot of the altar set a serene yet liminal, almost dreamy scene that felt like a breath of fresh air the week before Halloween.
The lineup was an all-star affair with almost a full rundown of the artists who performed for the LUNA Series over the last 12 months, jam-packed with 11 (!) artists each getting their time for a handful of songs. Belle-Skinner kicked things off and set the tone early for both beautiful, soulful music with a haunting vocal performance, while also keeping things fun with covers of Nat King Cole and Schubert (in German!). Her powerful and crystal clear vocals bounced off the church walls with perfect reverberation, and a guest duet with Caity Gallagher (more on her in a bit) was a welcome addition that matched the communal tone.
Reese Fulmer was next in line, whose vocals and guitar technique took on an almost hypnotic quality when combined with the ambience of the hall. Sans the renowned Carriage House Band, this was an opportunity to catch Reese in an intimate setting and he did not disappoint with thoughtful, introspective lyrics served over some of the most precise picking you’ll see. He also called back a returning Belle-Skinner for a fun duet to carry the baton of collaboration at least one set further into the evening.
Next up, it was Gallagher’s turn to come back to the stage for a full set of her own. Her warm personality translated perfectly to such an intimate setting, feeling like she was sharing the story of her songs with a room full of friends. Her guitar playing was excellent as usual, and her powerful vocals were expertly enhanced by the high ceilings.
The first few performances of the evening were intimate, singer-songwriter style sets. It was up to JB! AKA Dirty Moses to prove that these types of engagements are not just for acoustic guitar, and was he ever up to the task. He was a true virtuoso, bringing an intimacy to his hip-hop that was a real treat to experience. His flow was razor sharp, and his music has the universal appeal to draw in even the most casual fan of the genre and hold them in his grip.
Next up was Age of the Bear, who demonstrated tremendous vocal range as well as very clean guitar work. His authentic vulnerability when engaging with the audience about the stories behind his songs was equalled by the content of those lyrics themselves. These were the kinds of songs that make you feel related to, something I’d venture to guess many of us crave in the music we search for.
There was a short intermission, which is to be expected at a show with this amount of acts. During this time, the community vibe was on full display with artists engaging with both the audience and each other, browsing through merchandise and even enjoying some homemade chili.
After the halftime break, Hold On Honeys were charged with bringing us back into the night’s festivities. You’d be hard pressed to find a group of musicians who can do more with the human voice as an instrument, and it’s hard to argue that there’s a group of vocalists that complement each other better. Their harmonies fit together like puzzle pieces or the blending ingredients of a good recipe, and result in a siren song that bounces off the church ceiling and snaps everyone back into the spiritual experience at the center of the LUNA Series everyone had come to celebrate.
The effortlessly smooth and soulful Saliyah Itoka followed with a powerhouse vocal performance of her own. She brought a unique presence and energy, injecting the evening with the power of R&B. Her set had some incredibly poignant emotional moments, including a touching tribute to her late mother which was particularly powerful. She closed her set out with her upcoming single “Ego,” so make sure you’re keeping an eye out for her on streaming services!
Hayley Stafford followed, and the Saratoga Springs native delivered a performance flush with sincere and vulnerable songwriting with strong, wide-ranging vocals. Themes of journeys through personal struggles with mental health and spirituality left the crowd with uplifting messages to hold onto. She gave a dynamic performance, hitting high notes that echoed through the hall as if they were carrying triumphantly through a cathedral.
Carolyn Shapiro was next, and brought the art of the banjo with her. Is the banjo the most fun instrument in folk music? It’s at least a strong contender, and her clawhammer technique traveled through the room with a pristine echo that accentuated the sound of her music. Calling on the Hold on Honeys for one more guest spot for the evening, her performance had an infectious and carefree energy that was full of good vibes.
Natalie Santini served as the penultimate performer of the night, representing local americana outfit Little Saints. In an evening full of powerhouse vocal performances in a space that was designed to accentuate them to their fullest, she put on a display of raw vocal power and soul that carried beautifully. Her choruses had a cathartic energy imploring us to catch on and sing along. She closed out her set with the seasonally appropriate “Harvest”, a new Little Saints single just released on all streaming platforms on October 26th.
Amanda Case closed out the evening, and her welcoming stage energy was an excellent way to send off the crowd. Her songs had people humming along and grooving, with an infectious relatability that ended the night in style.
If someone told you that a Monday night event with 11 acts would leave you feeling fresh and rejuvenated, you may not believe them. Yet, that’s exactly what this evening provided and then some. It was more than just an all-star showcase of some of the Capital Region’s finest rising artists. The LUNA Series has served the function that Natalie Seagriff set out for it to serve: it is a place where the sacrament of music is given to those of us seeking out some soul healing. Follow them on social media at @luna_series518 and stay up to date on when you can catch their next show. You’ll be glad that you did.
