Quick Q and A with Carrie and Fuzz from Caravan of Thieves
 by Kathy S-B  ·  6 March 2011

Caravan of Thieves is one of the most innovative bands to come along in a long, long time. It’s a toss up as to whether they are more entertaining to watch or to listen to . . . but one thing is for sure, it doesn’t take more than a moment to become a fan. Gypsy jazz is not something that you hear every day and when it’s done as magnificently as it is with Caravan of Thieves, it’s a joy to experience and savor.

You know you’re in for a great deal of fun when you enter the Caravan of Thieves website. It sweeps you right into their world. How could anyone resist that gypsy magic and that spectacular energy?

I love the description that the Caravan of Thieves is “gypsy swing meets The Beatles at Tim Burton’s house.” I get the gypsy swing and I get the Beatles influence but . . . what’s this about Tim Burton?

Lyrically, conceptually and visually we often touch on fantastic and even dark and creepy subject matter. Some of Tim Burton’s theatrical side also makes its way into the presentation.

When you look back at your musical evolution, what led you toward this unique sound?

We (Carrie and Fuzz) started as an acoustic duo and singing harmony together. What we didn’t want to do though was to have a typical singer songwriter duo and we wanted to do a type of music where we could put on more of a show and have some energy. We loved gypsy jazz and since it was all acoustic and seemed to be an unlikely pairing with our vocal styles, we gave it a try. It’s been working for us so far.

You’re known for your stage theatrics and antics. Do you have any favorite stories about any of them that went so well that you couldn’t believe it and some that didn’t quite end up being so successful?

Dragging everyone out of their seats and on the floor to stomp and clap and sing with us in our song “Raise the Dead” while we play it “unplugged” was a hit with the audience the first time we did it so now its a regular occurrence in the set.

If you had to choose one of your original songs to introduce to new fans, which one would it be?

Candy

Your choice of cover tunes is pretty wild. Your rendition of “Psycho Killer” is very memorable. I understand that Tina Weymouth and Chris Franz (Talking Heads) are fans of yours and of your version of the song. . . .

I (Fuzz) also play in Tom Tom Club with Chris and Tina. Yes they are very big supporters of Caravan of Thieves.

Another great quote by a writer for the Huffington Post calls you “the Three Stooges with a sexy sidekick and musical skills.” That’s quite an image!

That’s just scratching the surface!

Are you ever afraid that your over the top stage act could make people forget the talent and musicality that drives your live appearances?

Yes that’s why we try not to overdo the antics and shtick and also make sure we pay close attention to the songwriting and tightness of the music.

Quick Q and A with John Price (Jubilee Mule)
 by Kathy S-B  ·  26 February 2011

John Price is one of the founding members of the old time band, Jubilee Mule. His soulful voice and impeccable guitar riffs contribute to the organic sound of the band. As you’ll read below, Jubilee Mule truly mixes up their traditional music base with some quirky and memorable additions. For more information about Jubilee Mule, visit their website. This video is a good example of what the band does so well.

What is it about old-timey music that inspires and moves you the most?

Something about old time music resonates with me on a cellular level. I have my great grandfather’s banjo; I grew up in the south, and also spent a lot of time in Appalachia as a boy. It’s part of my cultural background as an American and I’ve been lucky enough to have learned a lot about the genre from bandmate, Tim Rowell and the rich old time community in Boston.

Your music background ranges from classical to gospel to pop to traditional. Do you feel that you’ve brought a little bit of all of these genres to your work with Jubilee Mule?

Yes, we’ve steeped ourselves in the old time tradition but have always also been seduced into playing pieces of pop songs like “Walk like an Egyptian” and “Mr. Spaceman” by the Byrds. Within the band, they are likely to keep it more old time, but other rogue elements, like myself, sometimes pull off a coup with an Appalachian tune or some Celtic or Bulgarian number.

I was interested to see that you actually toured with “Up with People” and did a number of USO tours too. What was that like? Any memorable experiences from that part of your life?

The USO dance tour was when I was still in high school. The guys were all dressed up like service men and the girls lindy hopped and jitter bugged with us to sing sing sing and stuff like that. Up with People was after that, and one of the highlights performance wise was doing the halftime show for Superbowl XX. The year in Up with People was one of the best experiences of my life.

Your day job as a business development manager for the Perkins School for the Blind takes you all over the world. Do you ever get the opportunity to make music while on your trips to far flung countries in the Middle East, Europe, Australia or wherever you are sent?

Yes, i usually travel with the mandolin because i can sling it on my back and go. Airports are great places for impromptu jam sessions and digeridu’s, kotos, and udes all sound great with old time.

Not many folkies cite Todd Rundgren as an influence. You know that I’m a major fan. So, tell me, what does Todd’s music mean to you?

Not everybody likes Todd Rundgren. When I first heard The Hermit of Monk Hollow album, I wanted to hear everything he’d ever written and recorded. The way he moves chords over a bass note, the feeling listening to or playing his songs gives me, and connecting with the lyrics, there’s a lot there to appreciate. I’m always interested in connecting with other Todd Rundgren fans at music parties. It’s like finding a long lost family member.

Quick Q and A with Aoife Clancy
 by Kathy S-B  ·  19 February 2011

Talk about musical pedigree. That’s Aoife Clancy. There have been musical notes surging throughout her entire being since birth due to her family’s outstanding legacy and con­tribution to Irish music and culture.

As journalist Scott Alarik relates, “Whether she’s delivering an ancient Irish ballad, an American folk classic, or an urgent contemporary song, Aoife sings with the same gorgeous naturalism as if she were experiencing the emotions in the songs for the first time.” Find out more about Aoife’s fascinating life on her website. Check out this video of Aoife performing at a recent concert.

You’ve performed in many musical configura­tions during your career. Do you have any highlights when playing with your father, Bobby Clancy and your uncles?

The memories that stand out most in my mind playing with my father are, when I was growing up in Ireland and he used to bring me out to these small country pubs . . . some of them didn’t even have electricity! And it was a very intimate setting with only a few local old timers present. And my father would stand up (usually with a glass of beer in his hand!) and recite Yeats or sing some old ballad with everyone joining in on the chorus. Those are the most memorable times performing with him for me. The other time is at Milwaukee Irish festival with my father, Eddie Dillon, my brother Finbarr along with my uncles and Robbie O’Connell. That was fun sharing the stage with them all. And the other times were just family gatherings at our house with both sides of the family sharing songs and stories etc and those times were great nights. I miss those days a lot, but I DO have the lovely memories and I’m grateful for them.

What was it like being part of Cherish the Ladies? How long were you part of that group?

I loved being a part of Cherish the Ladies. I learned a lot about performing growing up with my father but I really got my feet wet performing with Cherish. We did some amazing gigs over the six years I performed with them. We got to play with the Boston Pops and recorded a Grammy nominated CD with them! We also toured a lot and got to travel all over the world — my favorite place being Argentina — that was some experience. Loved it!

What was it like working with the Boston Pops?

Playing with the Boston Pops was a once in a lifetime experience. It was nerve wracking but I’ll never forget that wonderful feeling/experience of watching the girls do a traditional number with the Pops as I watched on the TV monitor back stage. It gave me goosebumps! I got a chance to perform with the Pops as a soloist years later and that was also amazing. Would love to do it again sometime . . . if anyone from the Pops is reading this!!

If you were not a musician, do you have any inkling as to what you would be doing?

To be honest I can’t imagine doing anything else?! . . . I have studied acting and have also worked as an actress from time to time, but that’s my other love. I recently started teaching kids a music/movement program in Mattapoisett close to where I live and also down the Cape and I’m enjoying that a lot. I LOVE working with kids.

Do you have any big dreams or goals that you have not yet accomplished?

Do I have any dreams or goals that I haven’t accomplished? . . . Well, who hasn’t? I would love to seriously settle down and start writing more of my own material. I’ve made attempts in the past but that is one thing I would love to accomplish. I have lots of melodies but still working on the lyric thing. it’s coming. . . . I just have to be patient! I just started working with two other women in a band called “The Jammin Diva’s” and they both write so it’s kind of given me the push I need to get up off my butt and write some songs once and for all!

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