The Rhyme Suite

On the power of live music and community.

Well before the show began, the room swelled with anticipation. Under dim lights and between the burnt orange walls of Club 624, some of Philadelphia’s most promising artists prepared to share their talents with a highly engaged crowd on Friday, September 26. 

I arrived at the top of the sound check, watching as the performers prepped by tuning their instruments and grabbing quick bites at the bar– you can’t sing on an empty stomach.

Hosted by independent rapper and Philly native Mike Voss under his “Mike Voss Presents” showcase series, this show highlighted some of the city’s R&B and indie music acts. The roster for this particular show included the likes of Al Zamora, Elissa Janelle Velveteen, Dia!, Kramer Jones, and Ian Noble. 

Nevertheless, showgoers slowly yet surely filled the intimate venue as the night went on, with each act commanding the stage and supporting one another, even through the occasional technical difficulty. 

As an artist himself, Voss understands the extent to which booking shows and getting paid to do so can be difficult. This was a huge reason why he started this showcase series. At the same time, though, he enjoys having the ability to give back to the musical community of Philadelphia. 

“I really enjoy giving back to other artists that I think deserve it, that I think are talented and work hard,” he said. “I [also] like being able to book shows in other genres. It’s all pretty organic.”

He often finds artists via social media or at in-person shows, such as the Open Mic that he hosts every Wednesday in Fishtown at El Bar. But there’s one main caveat.

“If I don’t like your music, I don’t want to book you,” Voss said. “I have to hear something I like.”

But finding artists whose music he genuinely resonates with isn’t particularly hard, especially in a city like Philadelphia. 

“I feel like you could throw a rock in Philly and hit someone that’s talented,” he said. “It’s really mindblowing. I’ve traveled around a lot in my life and nothing beats Philly. And that goes for any genre. It’s just a great city for music.”

From singers to rappers to rockstars, the range is extensive. Take Al Zamora, a Philly-raised singer-songwriter and guitarist. Through a blend of R&B, rock, and folk music, he hopes to inspire listeners without projecting one particular feeling onto them. 

As the opening act of the night, he set the bar high with mastery of both his voice and his guitar. For Zamora, performing is about the joy you get after all of the chaos.

“When everything works smoothly and you’ve practiced enough for a show to go exactly how you’ve envisioned it – that’s why we all do this,” Zamora explained. “Oftentimes, it can be kind of daunting when we’re trying our best to do our thing and it doesn’t happen how we want to. So when it does happen how we want to– or better–  it’s perfect.”

A nomad of sorts, Elissa Janelle Velveteen is all about following the dopamine these days, which often leads to collaborations with friends and other like-minded artists. Originally from Tennessee, the indie and folk artist who sort of dabbles in everything enjoys any opportunity to connect with audiences in intimate settings.

“I love a good sit-and-listen room,” she said. “I feel like my songs are really personal about my experiences. I try to think more these days when I write about how my music affects other people. And when I write, I keep in mind what I want to give and share to the audience so that they leave feeling better about life.”

In this particular sit-and-listen room, audience members screamed and shouted right alongside Velveteen as she bared her soul on the stage. The passion she evokes sort of catches you off guard, but in the best way possible.

Ironically, Ian Noble often aspires to do the same thing through his alternative-pop sound.

“Sometimes I can have a very literal approach,” he explained. “I keep things rather simple, but to me what matters is the words. I’m really big on putting my story or energy into that.”

Dia!, who is often inspired by neo-soul and R&B, is also a huge proponent of telling her story through her music. 

“I hope to evoke vulnerability, comfort in being uncomfortable, self-reflection and empowerment,” she said. 

And she did just that through an acoustic set, which allowed the rawness of her words to truly permeate the audience.

Real music brings people together, and this evening served as both a common ground for lovers of music and an open invitation to the inner workings of just a few of Philly’s rising stars.

Lucky for us, Mike Voss hosts these events with different artists often. 

The next one takes place on Thursday, October 23, and if you’re local to the Philly area, it’s not too late to secure a spot.