Let's not be shy, over at Run Riot we stand up and applaud singer, songwriter and all round savvy belle Gabby Young. Clued up 'insider-writer' and long time fan Katie Antoniou says 'Gabby's classical training has left her with a voice that takes your breath away, and not content with creating her own sounds, she's even responsible for pioneering a new genre: Circus Swing. Part period drama and part Bjork, her stage costumes never fail to impress'. Run Riot caught up with Gabby while on her UK tour, prior to returning to London on Saturday, 20th November for an almighty blast of a show! Win tickets to the gig by entering the competition here. Rattle the cage and roar with delight!

RR: Originally hailing from Wiltshire, you moved to London where you formed the full band, Gabby Young and Other Animals in 2007. Somewhere along the line you trained as an opera singer, and did covers of Rage Against The Machine. That's a jolly loud foundation for developing your vocal prowess! Hell yeah! Please - tell us about the days before the band, and the metamorphosis into Gabby Young and Other Animals.
GY: Well I have wanted to sing since I was 11. There was nothing else I wanted to do and luckily I started getting work singing at funerals and weddings quite easily, so my path was set from very early on. I went through many stages from wanting to be in musicals, then opera, then a rock singer. I learnt the double bass and saxophone in my serious ‘jazz phase’ and became obsessed with scat singing. When I started to teach myself guitar and write my own songs I started to find my own sound but it took years of experimenting. I have been in many bands doing rock and funk covers, jazz standards and at some point I had band called the ‘Gabby Young Collective’ in Wiltshire. We were a 5-piece and much heavier than my current sound. I feel I’ve settled in a place that isn’t any genre - it’s just what comes naturally. The ‘Other Animals’ came together from many different means – some were found on the Internet and others through London gigs. Even an old school friend who I reunited with when I moved to London joined in. I added each instrument as I wrote their parts - it became apparent that I wanted a big, theatrical sound and it made sense to have a large amount of musicians to do it.

RR: While forming the band you beat thyroid cancer, how has that affected your voice and spirit?
GY: It had a huge impact on me. I had a chance to pause for a long time and re-evaluate my whole life, career, everything. I was living in the middle of nowhere in Wiltshire, and I admit I was comfortable, so not really working as hard as I should have been doing for my dream to be a successful singer. The moment I was better I did a big gig and was terrified that my voice was going to sound weaker or different. I hadn’t been able to reach the high notes since my thyroid removal operation. Anyway the moment I got on stage I felt back at home and sang my heart out. Some might say that my vocals came back stronger but it was strange, I felt like I had a new throat and had to re-learn how to sing with it. That night I made plans to make the move to London. I am nothing but thankful for that time in my life. It’s changed everything for the better for me.

RR: Rita Hayworth, Jessica Rabbit, Sandro Botticelli’s ‘Birth of Venus’, Vivienne Westwood, Julianne Moore and Gabby Young - red headed firebrands, and all deliciously sexy, feisty and stylish! Your look is clearly an extension of your exuberant self, as is your flare for style. Is it true you've been shot by uber cool photographer Rankin? Spill the beans dear! What prompted you to launch your own Style Blog? What's it all about?
GY: Wow, thank you. I like being on that list!! Yes, having a Rankin photo shoot has definitely been a highlight for me. I found myself being in the lucky position of a model as part of his ‘Rankin Live’ project. It was a real privilege and exciting day and I made it into his new book, which is amazing! The Style Blog is something I launched because people were asking about my style and fashion opinions. I was flattered and of course obliged to do something about it. When I’m on tour (which is pretty much constantly right now) I find it hard to keep up but I like to write and having the opportunity to share my style-thoughts is brilliant!

RR: You launched the 'Become an Animal' campaign in 2009 where your fans can get a free album, free tickets to your live shows and all sorts of bonus merchandise and insider treats depending on what kind of animal they became - valued at £12.50 (mole), £25 (bear), or £65 (Tiger). What's the response been from the fans, fellow professional musicians and the media?
GY: It’s been amazing for us - from every angle. Sky News did a piece on it alongside Robbie Williams doing something similar which brought it home how much ALL musicians need their fans help, not just the independent ones. What I like about it is the connection with the fans. We can take out the animals for a night and hear feedback, collaborate and get inspired that helps us grow as a band. I hear from a lot of musicians who want to set up something similar and want our help, which is a great thing. Fan funding is really important right now and I fully believe if you are open to asking for help and collaborating then anything is possible.

RR: The debut album was re-released this September, followed by a UK tour which climax's in London on Sat, 20th November at the Tabernacle in Notting Hill. How has it all gone and how does it feel to be back in London?
GY: It’s been an amazing year for us. After 15 festivals this summer we met a lot of new people that have been coming to our autumn tour dates and I love meeting them all after the performance. I am so excited for the London gig as this is where all my friends and family come and we can really put on a show. At the moment it’s still too much of a gamble out of London to risk a big production but hopefully soon that will change! For Saturday’s show we are pulling out all the stops as we are in a beautiful venue (The Tabernacle) and it would be silly not to. We have a brass band and string quartet joining us on stage and some old members coming back too. There’ll be a lot of dancing and sing-a-longs, I’m going to find it really moving and emotional! Happy!

RR: What plans for you and the band over the festive season and the year ahead?
GY: I’m an EXTREMELY Christmassy person- all my friends will tell you how annoying I am around this time of year! So I’m going to do nothing but eat, sleep and watch lots of telly for most of December. This is my first time-off since last Christmas so I’m allowed it, and of course the band is pretty happy to have it off too. Next year is already looking mental with visits to Japan, US for SXSW and Canadian Music Week, Europe and Australia all in the pipeline. We’ve already started booking festivals - I can’t wait! I’m also already working on the next album – it’s all written and I began recording yesterday, it should be finished by February as that’s when I start touring again.

RR: Lastly - what would you, personally, like for Christmas?
GY: A car. I miss having one so much since we had a little accident this time last year, but more realistically -  I’d like a surprise!

For more information, check out the websites:
http://www.gabbyyoungandotheranimals.com
http://www.myspace.com/gabbyyoung
http://www.youtube.com/gabbyyoungvideos
http://gabbyyoungstyle.blogspot.com

See the full-band Gabby Young and Other Animals at the Tabernacle on Saturday, 20th November.