Photos

RECAP: “Song City” @ the Waiting Room, 5/13/2025

By Penny Piper on May 20, 2025

A Night Like No Other: Song City Troy, Season 3 Finale

Words and Photography by Penny Piper.

It’s a rare and beautiful thing to witness art in its purest form. To be in the room where the energy between artist and audience crackles, where vulnerability and talent take the spotlight without filter. That’s exactly what unfolded at the Waiting Room in downtown Troy for the Song City Season 3 Finale.

Curated by the ever-intentional Scott Womer, Song City has become a space where artistry is both celebrated and challenged-where songwriters stretch themselves and audiences leave forever changed. I spoke with Scott about the magic of the finale and the community Song City continues to build in the Capital Region.

“A show like this is similar to creating a meal,” Scott told me. “You serve something familiar, and also something that challenges the norm. It’s about expanding the audience’s definition of a songwriter.”

And that’s exactly what happened.

Let’s start with the artists—because they were nothing short of unforgettable.

Delaney Hafener

Delaney performed solo at the finale, and from the first note, it was impossible to look away. I’ve followed her work with the Belle Curves, but this performance reminded me that she doesn’t need anything but her voice and her words to hold a room in her hand. There’s a fire in her delivery, but also a gentleness—a sweetness that lets you breathe even when her lyrics hit hard. One of my favorite moments of the night was when Delaney bravely performed a brand-new song, one that had never been played in public. That’s the kind of space Song City creates—one where artists feel seen, supported, and safe enough to grow.

Reese Fulmer

Now here’s a twist for you—did you know that “Ohio,” one of Reese Fulmer’s most beloved songs, is about a murder? Most people don’t catch that, and that’s part of the brilliance of Reese. He’s a master storyteller, a songwriter’s songwriter. Deeply connected to the spirit of Café Lena, Reese draws you in with each line, creating landscapes and lives with his lyrics. His professionalism and poise are matched only by his gift for connection.

Dust Bowl Faeries

Performing as a duo for this special evening, the Dust Bowl Faeries were a gothic dream. Ryder Cooley on accordion and vocals, and Jon B. Woodin on lead guitar, transported the room with their eerie, hypnotic sound. Their vibe is dark and cabaret-tinged, yet somehow, they radiated warmth. One of the most magical moments of the night came when they joined Eric-Jon Tasker on a song they had never even heard before. It was spontaneous. It was electric. It was everything Song City stands for—collaboration, trust, and raw musicality.

Eric-Jon Tasker

Captivating doesn’t even begin to describe Eric-Jon. From the moment he walked through the door, I was drawn in. He’s funny, smart, and incredibly charismatic—and his talent is undeniable. A week before the finale, he was staging a musical reading at Jive Hive, and then here he was at Song City, delivering hook-laden pop songs with depth and flair. His presence is huge, but never overpowering. There’s something about him that makes everyone in the room feel like they belong.

Scott Womer knows what he’s doing. This isn’t just about music—it’s about crafting a meaningful experience. From the lighting to the intimacy of the Waiting Room (a transformed ground floor off Franklin Alley), every detail is intentional.

“The artist is as important as the audience,” Scott said. “We want artists to feel heard, respected, and taken care of. And we want the audience to be both comforted and challenged.”

The inspiration behind Song City stems from Scott’s time at Nashville’s Bluebird Café, but what he’s built in Troy is uniquely its own. Unlike the single-genre format of some songwriter circles, Song City celebrates diversity—pop, goth-folk, Americana, whatever expression the artist brings. It’s a living, breathing testament to the musical mosaic of the 518.

With more than 100 artists having graced the stage over 25 showcases, Song City has quietly become a cornerstone of the local music scene. It’s inspiring other collectives, shaping the way we experience live music here, and proving that magic doesn’t only live on big stages—it thrives in listening rooms like this.

I walked out of the Waiting Room that night feeling something I hadn’t felt in a long time—renewed. The kind of full-heart energy you only get when you’ve witnessed something real. And that’s what Scott and Song City are giving us: realness, connection, and the soul of our scene.

This was more than a show. It was an experience. A communion. A tapestry of voices, woven with purpose and passion.

And I can’t wait to see where it goes next.