BELFAST

DATES

OVERVIEW Ruby Colleys's debut solo album ‘Murmurations' (released February 2010) traces a musical journey from the Royal Academy of Music (London) and Dartington College of Arts, through a progressive immersion in the diverse worlds of electronic, avant rock, folk and contemporary, classical music. Since her multiple collaborative and solo performances as Artist in Residence during Belfast's Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival (2008) and as composer for the Tinderbox Theatre Company (2008) she has established an increasingly vital presence on the Northern Irish music scene. Ruby performs her music alone, with an electric violin and a series of pedals that include a loop-station, delay, and octave pedal. The instrumental soundscapes created are far beyond the realm of traditional playing, with the complex web of sound more akin to an electric orchestra. She draws upon many different styles such as Eastern European folk, Jazz and classical. Her performances are mesmerizing as reviews and audiences testify. In her brief but highly acclaimed trajectory in Northern Ireland, Ruby has supported major acts such as Final Fantasy, Sinead O'Connor, Luka Bloom and the late John Martyn. As well as being a key instrumentalist in the Belfast band Cava (www.cavamusic.com), Ruby writes and performs her own compositions; Murmurations presents a strong selection of the best of these. Ruby's music is eclectic but strangely unique and her performances charged with emotional power and nuance. Since starting the violin at the tender age of three, Ruby has developed her skills and interests surrounding the violin in many different areas. Initially classically trained, she went on to develop her skills at the Royal Academy of music aged 13. After completing her studies at the Academy, Ruby then went on to do a degree in music/composition at Darting College of Arts. This is where she started to explore many other avenues of music such as contemporary classical, World Music, Jazz and much more. It was the many musical genres/composers that she studied that influenced the music she is writing today, such as Steve Reich, Eastern European folk and progressive rock music. Ruby performs her music alone, with an electric violin and a series of peddles, such as a loop-station, delay, and octave peddle. These gadgets allow her to create a complex web of sound that can be heard like an electric orchestra with an array of interesting noises and ambient sound-scapes. Since moving to Belfast, she has played with various jazz, rock and classical outfits and has been concentrating her efforts in the band 'Cava', which she joined 4 years ago. Ruby also composes for Theatre and film and since performing her solo material in and around Belfast, it has been met with great critical acclaim. She was artist in residence for 2008's CATHEDRAL QUATER ARTS FESTIVAL, and has supported the likes of the late John Martyn, Luka Bloom, Hawk and a Hacksaw, Rachel Unthank, and Sinead O'Connor. Her EP "My Elegant Insect" was released at the beginning of May 2008. RUBY'S DEBUT ALBUM 'MURURATIONS' IS NOW CONFIRMED TO BE LAUNCHED ON THURSDAY THE 4TH OF FEBUARY 2010 AT THE KINGS HEAD. Hope to see you there! "When Ruby gets her chance, she flies, with excellence playing sometimes close to a metal guitarist shredfest, but never losing balance, poise and melodyin her flourishes. Using a loopstation, she builds up a fascinating collage of sound". 2008 - Release of 'My Elegant Insect' EP [May] 2010 - Release of 'Murmurations' album [04 February]