Stating his Case

By Aubrey Zych

From a rock’n’roll band to solo acoustic blues, small gigs in Buffalo to crowds of thousands in Los Angeles, hitch-hiking across upstate New York to Grammy nominations, Peter Case has been pretty busy. Those who keep up with the local music scene can catch Case Friday, Friday, July 27 at Funk N’ Waffles, 727 S. Crouse Ave. Case will perform as part of the Words and Music Songwriter Showcase, hosted by Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers.

The showcase is a celebration of original music from Central New York and beyond, spotlighting established and emerging artists of all genres in an up-close-and-personal acoustic setting. Since its first show in January 2008, the series has featured top talent such as Joe Driscoll, Maura Kennedy, Mike Powell, John Cadley, Colin Aberdeen, Colleen Kattau, Dusty Pas’cal, Loren Barrigar, Ashley Cox, Bob Halligan, Joe Crookston, Jamie Notarthomas, Gary Frenay and Arty Lenin.

 

But Case will bring a different type of show to the table. Since his departure from the once-popular rock-folk band, The Plimsouls, Case has really branched out. He believes he communicates better as a solo artist, and delivers an entirely different type of music.

“{My style} is acoustic, yet energetic and entertaining,” Case explains. “It’s a mix of blues and folk and rock and roll. It’s not what people would expect from a solo acoustic artist.” While he has made numerous appearances in his hometown of Buffalo, this will be Case’s first gig in Syracuse. “I’ve always wanted to play there,” Case says. “I have a lot of history with Syracuse. I used to visit my cousins there and I used to hitch-hike through there. Syracuse is great.”

The Words and Music series is usually held at Jazz Central or Auburn Public Theater; this will mark its first performance at Funk N’ Waffles. According to Rodgers, he chose the venue because he believed the atmosphere of the South Crouse Avenue hot spot better fit Case’s style.

“Peter’s music really taps into both folk and rock, and Funk N’ Waffles felt like the right room for that,” Rodgers notes. “There’s a nice mix of ages and styles, touring artists and locals.”

Likewise, Case is excited about performing there because of the crowd it attracts, usually full of young, emerging and hopeful artists. “I always like talking with the audience about my life and hitch-hiking days and journey to where I am now,” he says. “I think it’ll be especially cool for this audience.”

Listeners can look forward to songs from his last couple albums, Let Us Now Praise Sleepy John (Yep Roc) and Wig! (Yep Roc) but does not want to give any songs away yet. “They’ll have to come and see for themselves,” he jokes. In addition to touring, Case is writing another album, and fans can look for his live tour DVD hitting the shelves this November.

Tickets for Peter Case with Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers can be purchased at the door for $15. Tickets can also be reserved by emailing showcase@wordsandmusic.info. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. with music beginning at 8. For more information or to listen to Case’s songs, visit wordsandmusic.info.

Photo by: Ann Summa