Gold can be found on the surface, but you have to dig for the mother lode. Natalie Seagriff has done that digging for you in Troy, NY, with her Luna Series concerts. These showcases feature local talent you won’t hear on commercial radio—at least not yet. The series is held in the beautiful Mount Ida Preservation Hall, a former church turned multipurpose community center. The hall is a work in progress, perfect for these concerts: an old space brought back to life by the presence of young voices.
Tonight the hall will ring with the angelic voice of Shannon Tehya, a whimsical sprite full of triumphant stories that lift our spirits. Colored floodlights send columns of blue and green up the apse while the evening sun ignites the Tiffany-stained-glass windows. The large “Jesus Ascending” motif behind her feels fitting once Shannon’s voice fills the space.
Natalie designed the show to be candle-lit, with old pews drawn into concentric circles of people and lights. The effect is pure intimacy, and Shannon is here to open her soul and draw us into her world. Few things are more personal than a songstress sharing her life story with strangers soon to become fans.
She opens with a song written for an owl, immediately tearing down the fourth wall and inviting the audience into her spirit-summoning. Shannon’s clear, soothing voice blends with the audience’s gentle drone, rising to the rafters and bringing the ancient hall to life. Candlelight shimmers across our faces as we fall under her spell.
We willingly enter Shannon’s world as she asks us to imagine living like children who care for the planet and for ourselves. It is sweltering inside—today’s heat has left the old building stifling—yet Shannon compassionately checks on our well-being. We are hers now. She guides us through past relationships, honestly recounting the hurt inflicted on her while admitting she, too, has caused pain. She lightens the mood with a heartfelt rendition of the Cranberries’ “Dreams.”
Next, she confides further, describing her work as a stripper—an occupation that pays the bills but doesn’t fulfill her dreams. “Itty Bitty Music Box” tells this story: a love of dance and artistry concealed behind a mental wall while she toils in a tawdry world. Her fearlessness wins us over; we are all Team Shannon. Sensing the moment, she delivers her anthem “Renegades,” and we are fully on board.
Like many touring musicians, Shannon pauses to ask for support by inviting us to buy merch. She offers a twist: her shirts are repurposed and hand-printed, making each one a unique memento. Vulnerable and heart-warming in the same breath, she connects with everyone in the room.
The heat still worries her, and she empathetically asks whether we need a break. We chant a collective “No!”—we want the music to continue. She rewards us with Joni Mitchell’s “A Case of You,” and it is simply fantastic. As the temperature rises, Shannon hits us with three nonstop thought-provokers—“Broken Glass,” “Wolf,” and her hit “Change.”
She closes the set with an audience-participation favorite, Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club.” Fans gleefully join in, and the hall rings with joy.
Find Shannon on Spotify, YouTube, and Instagram. To learn more about the Luna Series, visit lunaseries518.com and mark your calendar for the upcoming shows:
• 8.11.2025 — Owen Greene
• 9.8.2025 — Riley Cotton
• 10.6.2025 — Anniversary Show featuring stars of past concerts
• 11.3.2025 — Kendra McKinley
• 12.1.2025 — Ben Hart
