I’ve headed over to each To Kill A King‘s open mic nights that go by the name of Play All The Things and the quality of new artists and bands has always been impressive – a great place to spot those on their way up. But this Wednesday I was utterly mesmerised by Ruby & The Rib Cage (facebook/twitter). As ever in such a small venue, they were without their rhythm section, but Ruby (vocals), Aaron (guitar), and Ellie (viola/violin) had the audience in stunned silence.

Their mini set was soulful folk, with the songs working around Ruby’s rich, bluesy vocals with her stories of lovers and haters and sea-sick sailors. Add to that a double bass and drums/percussion for their full live set-up, and the clever folk stories evolve into something more akin to foot-tapping blues – but even when it is just Ruby on her own singing with only the percussion of drumming on her legs for accompaniment you know it’s something special.

Here’s Ruby doing her lovely The Clapping Song for Songs From The Shed:

…and here’s a video of the band cramped into the back of a camper for Sounds of the Camper Van: