Gabby Young and Other Animals

Gabby Young and Other Animals

Gabby Young and Other Animals is a UK group led by Gabby Young and active since 2007. The project develops from Young’s background in Wiltshire and her move into the London music scene, after she first appears on the National Youth Opera roster at the age of 12. She initially trains as an opera singer, then turns towards other styles after hearing Jeff Buckley and jazz musicians, and later performs at open mic nights and with a range of bands while still in her teens.

Formation and style

Young records her first solo material in her bedroom before the age of 21. After a thyroid cancer diagnosis at 22 threatens her classically trained voice, she focuses on writing and recording her own songs during recovery. In 2008 she forms an eight-piece band called Other Animals, creating the group configuration associated with the project. Its music combines globally influenced folk with Balkan brass, jazz and swing, and is described as “Circus Swing”.

Releases and recognition

The group’s debut album is We’re All In This Together, released on World Connection. The album receives four stars from The Guardian, which describes Young as a versatile, classically trained singer and inventive songwriter with wide-ranging global influences.