Tonight: Gypsy Parlor Acoustic Showcase

acoustic showcase, alicia greco, ben uytiepo, cat people, darling harbor, greco, gypsy parlor, pat butler, ryan bzibziak, ryan howze, sleepy hahas —

Tonight: Gypsy Parlor Acoustic Showcase

Ryan Howze may be known to many as Arehouse. The first time meeting him I was grooving on the floor of Soundlab (R.I.P.) during the late, but beloved, Communist Parties. But when he is not mixing tracks for a dancing crowd, Howze has been participating in open mic nights. In and out of bands for 10 years or so, he said that while attending open mics there was always one or two things that did not vibe with him.

So he took it into his own hands.

Since September, Howze has been holding open mic events on Tuesdays at the west side coveted, clairvoyant inspired Gypsy Parlor. He wanted to establish an environment for musicians to not only feel comfortable on stage, but to also be heard by an attentive audience.

Taking it a step further, tonight, he will present the first of a monthly acoustic showcase series.

"I felt like acoustic acts get really slept on in Buffalo … If you're not a full band, people kind of disregard you, and lead you to just open mics," Howze said. "I wanted to make a monthly event that would showcase four or five different acoustic acts."

The folks showcased during tonight's event have been regulars at the open mic sessions.

Ben Uytiepo, of Darling Harbor, will perform. Reminiscent of a more upbeat version of Iron & Wine, according to Howze, Uytiepo's vocals are sweet sounding, and listeners should expect classic acoustic indie sound, circa early-2000s.

Soulful croons will come from singer/songwriter Ryan Bzibziak. "Ryan is the white Keith Sweat," Howze said without hesitation. Along with original pieces, covers of bands such as The Kooks, Death Cab for Cutie and The Avett Brothers can be heard on Bzibziak's YouTube account.

Guitarist and vocalist for local band the Sleepy Hahas, Pat Butler, with the accompaniment of a pianist, will perform acoustic versions of the group's songs, in addition to some unreleased tunes.

Cat People, comprised by Nathan Wolcott and Tommy McCraith, mysteriously cannot be found anywhere in the Internet realm. Their sound is "if you smashed '90s kind of grunge that meets acoustic folk," Howze said.