Forming a backing band in February, Barbarella is all an Italian singer songwriter who writes and sings - in her words - European folk. In reality, there’s a bluesy, skiffle style sound to her songs from guitarist Carl Turner and an urgent, soulful voice from Barbarella herself. 

But things are tense at The Constitution pub. The drummer hasn’t arrived and there’s a drunk transvestite asking for eyeliner outside. Worse, there’s a angry bloke demanding money. Worse still, he works at the pub. And, yes, this is a pub, not the world famous Jazz Cafe, not Ronnie Scott’s jazz emporium and definitely not some Islington indie hang-out where major label execs exchange hair tips and business cards over Pinot Grigio. This gig is in the bowels of Camden, minutes from the station but hidden from almost everyone.

With an acoustic support act setting the scene, the dingy floor is open for Barbarella who shows no nerves and blasts out a small selection of songs with the confidence of someone that knows she has the voice, but needs to test her lyrics. The Camden crowd are the ultimate litmus test.

It’s like Laura Marling going all stage school and belting out World War II anthems while a country band backs the action on Prejudice. Barbarella could soundtrack any Tarantino film you’ve ever seen.  A Stamp From Society  is a more traditional rocking anthem, bursting into a widescreen chorus. Clumsy is a carefree ditty which goes straight for the cinematic jugular, destined to accompany TV adverts about oranges or feel good yoghurts. We hope it doesn’t but it’s so good, it’s never going to pass your radar without comment.

It’s a great vocal showcase and the ragged, mixed bunch of scenesters, tramps and fans look on with fascination. There’s no dancing thanks to the seats, but there’s barely a note that you wouldn’t move to. In a town mourning the loss of Winehouse doing anything related to music and shying away from the pop styled glitz of Ellie Goulding, there’s an audience which needs this type of original yet circa 1945 style sound and it's much bigger than Camden...