“Everything happens for a reason” is not just a in Gabby’s song ‘Male Version Of Me’ or even Gabby’s motto – it really is her way of life. Just when Gabby was on the brink of starting to back away from music and all it’s trials and tribulations she discovered that she had Thyroid cancer…again. Ten years earlier it was at the very beginning of her career and now it appeared right at the crossroads of it. It wasn’t until Gabby got the all clear last September that she had the clarity to know which road to take and as she said, after the operation which could have ruined her vocal chords, ‘I HAVE to sing, this is no longer a choice for me… it IS me.”

It was also time for a change for her, being the ringleader of the 8 piece circus swing band, Gabby Young & Other Animals no longer felt right, she wanted a new challenge and to venture out to new musical directions. With her now husband, Stephen by her side as co writer, producer and multi instrumentalist they reformed under the name Gabby Young with 5 members and lots of musical toys to start something new. Gabby has always been inspired by electronica acts such as Bjork, Imogen Heap and Portishead so this new direction didn’t feel like such a leap, more like a gentle swim to the other side of the pool.

Armed with gadgets such as a live vocal processor and loop pedal, Gabby has found her a place to let her vocals soar amongst the zithers, synths, pulsing bass and hammering drums of the new band. Her voice has always been the focus, but now, without any other lead instruments to battle against it, it has all the room to whisper, growl and howl to it’s heart content and it really does.

Fans of Gabby’s music have nothing to worry about as the finely crafted, emotionally open songs at the core of all Gabby’s music are still firmly in place. The new songs are still filled with the storytelling that Gabby is known for, and the first single coming in September ‘Through The Trees’ is fresh from her fight with cancer. As she sings in the catchy chorus; ‘We’re circling this disease, Just starting to show that we won’t back down’ is her anthem for anyone combating similar things. Complete with jangly electric guitar, stabs of synth and a crowd singing lead hook this really is an anthem, who’s home is on a festival stage with a singalong audience!

Another thing that has had a makeover is Gabby’s style as that has also been through a big change – gone is the trademark huge red hair it’s now blue and sleek! Gabby has become an avid seamstress and a big part of the sewing community with her own popular sewing vlog and blog, Gabberdashery, so of course now all her stage costumes are handmade too, but that definitely doesn’t mean that she dialed back the theatrics… oh no, as her light up EL wire costume for the hugely successful comeback gig at Richmix will attest – she is still ALL about putting on a show. Soon there will be visuals added to the mix too so the live shows are an absolute must see!

It’s all part of the same DIY, fan-engaging ethos that saw Gabby fund her releases through crowdfunding sites. She raised an amazing £9,000 in just four weeks to help record her last album. In style and business, as in music, Young is one of life’s collectors and upcyclers and this project is no exception. Now on Patreon.com, Gabby is raising the money and maintaining the amazing community around her and her music for the next album. There fans will get rewards like hearing the early demos, their name in the album and on shows in return for ‘being the record label’ and funding the recording.

Gabby is back, better than ever and excited about jumping back in the deep end. With an already full diary of dates and a European tour in Autumn there really is no stopping her…So as Gabby delicately puts it ‘Here we go again with our hearts’