On The Verge

Caravan of Thieves

Bridgeport, Conn.
New Fruit in Deep Banana Family
www.caravanofthieves.com

After exploring numerous musical projects since his days with seminal Connecticut funk band Deep Banana Blackout, Fuzz Sangiovanni has finally found something that moves him. “I feel like this is the most exciting thing I’ve ever done—I feel like I’m most in my own skin in this project,” Fuzz says of Caravan of Thieves, a group he started in March 2008 with his wife, Carrie, with whom he shares guitar, vocal and songwriting duties. The quartet, which also features violinist Ben Dean and double bassist Brian Anderson, has opened for acts such as the Tom Tom Club, Ryan Montbleau Band and banjo player Tony Trischka. The group, self-described as “gypsy swing meets The Beatles at Tim Burton’s house,” uses old-time gypsy jazz as a “sonic and rhythmic foundation,” combining haunting melodies and story-telling songwriting to create a unique brand of pop. And while the group’s album Bouquet should not be overlooked, the theatrical nature of Caravan of Thieves’ live show remains the band’s strength. “We’re not just like, ‘OK, we’re gonna play this song next,’” Fuzz explains. “It’s more like, ‘What do we do in this next song that’s going to make it another memorable moment?’”