Animal Soul is the brainchild of songwriter, singer and multi-instrumentalist Anthony Braun, marking his return to music after a 30-year hiatus in the world of film and media. In the bad old days, Anthony played in New York bands such as Deep Six and Hidden Cargo, and sometimes shared the stage with diverse luminaries such as composer Arthur Russell, Tej Hazarika (son of legendary Assamese musician Dr. Bhupen Hazarika), and Swans’ Mike Gira. 

Better Than Silence, Animal Soul's debut album, represents the culmination of years of songwriting evolution, culling and refining some of the best material from the early nineties to the present. The songs speak to universal experiences of disillusionment, rebirth, class warfare, and a tenderness of the soul that cries “shaddap you;” love that uplifts, love that destroys, and of course, plain old falling in love.

In addition to his work with Animal Soul, producer, composer, arranger, sound engineer, multi-instrumentalist, and ethnomusicologist, Filippo De Laura has scored and created original music for film soundtracks and commercial jingles, as well as for recordings projects by major label artists. The international groups who employ his talent include RAI (Italy’s largest broadcasting television and radio company), Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, ENEL S.p.A (Europe’s third largest energy provider), Mediaset, Tempesta Film and Sky Television Italy.

De Laura has collaborated with various well-known personalities of the Italian film world, such as Paolo Vivaldi, Maria Rosaria Omaggio, Susanna Tamaro, Liliana Cavani, Lamberto Bava, Silvio Muccino, and many others.  As an artistic producer, composer, arranger, sound engineer and sideman musician, he has worked with numerous established recording artists, such as Robert Miles, Grazia Di Michele, Patti Pravo, Niccolò Fabi, Bungaro, and Nada. And as an artist unto himself, Filippo has been recognized and awarded the prestigious “Premio Recanati” and the “Scena Aperta” (La Repubblica journal) award for New Original Artist, as well as winning the song contest Musicultura Festival. He has just released an album of his own compositions called "Tales From String Hill."

Blessed with a profoundly melodic sensibility and a wicked capacity for musical invention , Brian Hussey has been known as the “Human Jukebox” since an early age. He has played in countless bands since picking up guitar as a teenager, including Lenox Underground. Brian now brings his years of innovation and love of music to the modern classical sound of Animal Soul, contributing his musical sophistication and harmonic versatility.  

Praised for his exceptional musicianship, technique, and versatility as a performer, Stefano Baldasseroni has become one of the busiest drummers in Europe and the United States.  He was invited to join the legendary group: “The Grandmothers,” the successor to Frank Zappa’s “Mothers of Invention.”

After touring worldwide with “The Grandmothers” for four years, his reputation grew and Stefano became the drummer for many renowned artists and bands, including the Gold and Platinum album artists Dbboulevard; Moony; the Italian diva Patty Pravo; guitarist and producer Phil Palmer (Dire Straits, George Michael); Franz Di Cioccio from legendary Rock band “PFM”; and the backup band for the Academy-Award winning actor Giancarlo Giannini. 

He has a distinguished discography on major record labels such as Universal Records, EMI, Virgin Records, and Warner Bros. and is is currently an active session player in NYC both for recording sessions and live performances. In addition to his work with Animal Soul, Stefano collaborates with many innovative acts such as: The Gary Douglas Band, Yula & the Extended family, Kiss Slash Crooked Smile, Clara Lofaro and Seasonal Beasts.