Sinners Circle

21/06/2025

Thanks to everyone who came out for our nearly sold-out show at the Garde’s Oasis Room. A wonderful evening… we’ll see you again soon!

19/06/2025

Nice little write-up in the Day pay-pah on tomorrow night’s show! Thanks kindly to Rick Koster.

19/06/2025

Selling like hotcakes, y'all! Some tickets remain for Friday's show... get them in advance👇 and save a few bucks (or pay at your door, your choice!) We'd love to show the Garde that local original music indeed has a place on the big stage with a full house. See you Friday night!

09/06/2025

Meet Ben Parent!

Ben Parent is a founding member of the Rivergods, an original, award-winning act based in southeastern CT that has played its harmony-rich folk/roots/Americana-influenced music in venues large and small around southern New England since 1997. The Rivergods are fronted by Parent and his wife, Nancy, both singer/songwriters, who blend their voices with the sort of instinctual harmonies that are perhaps only achieved through blood, time or marriage. In 2024, the Rivergods were inducted into the New England Music Hall of Fame. Parent also plays in the on-again, off-again surf/punk trio, Superbald, a guitar-driven combo which amps up the sound, but doesn’t skimp on the songwriting.

Parent casts a wide net with songwriting, from rock to roots, lately choosing to focus on topical storytelling and issue-themed songs that cut quick and deep. Parent enjoys almost all forms of music and songwriting; there is not a genre he will not borrow from if he feels it will serve a song. Parent is an ardent student of “the greats” but is just as influenced by anything he hears that’s interesting and packs an emotional punch.

The Rivergods have seven albums of original material out, primarily written by Ben, but are currently in the midst of mixing their latest album, recorded at Coffeehouse Studios in Middletown, CT, which will feature mostly songs written or sung by Nancy. Ever prolific as songwriters, Ben and Nancy started a Soundcloud page during COVID-19 for sharing demos and unreleased songs. Ben always has several “solo albums” in the works. (!)

For this show, Parent will be debuting a brand new song cycle of unheard songs.

Join us for the reboot of the Sinners Circle!

https://gardearts.org/events/sinners-circle/

02/06/2025

Meet John Fries!

John Fries’ songwriting seamlessly blends the raw emotion of blues with soul. Drawing inspiration from a diverse array of musical legends, including Amos Lee, John Prine, Martin Sexton, Eric Clapton, D’Angelo, the Black Crowes, Joey Landreth, and Chris Whitley, John has carved out a unique sound that captivates audiences and resonates deeply with listeners.

From a young age, John was immersed in the rich tapestry of musical influences that would shape his artistic identity. With a natural affinity for storytelling, he channels his personal experiences and observations into his songwriting, crafting lyrics that are both relatable and poignant. His powerful vocals and evocative guitar playing bring to life a technicolor array of songs exploring themes of love, loss, and societal climate.

Throughout his career, John Fries has garnered recognition for his compelling performances and his ability to connect with audiences on a personal level. Whether performing in intimate venues or gracing larger stages (Fries opened for blues legend Robert Cray on the Garde Arts Center’s main stage), his dynamic presence and heartfelt delivery leave a lasting impression. His authenticity and dedication to his craft have earned him a loyal following and accolades within the music community.

Currently, John is in the studio working on a new album that will feature a fusion of his blues and soul influences, as well as collaborations with fellow musicians who share his passion for creating music that speaks to the heart. John’s commitment to his craft continues to drive him as he navigates the ever-evolving landscape of the music industry.

Don’t miss the return of the original Sinners Circle Friday, June 20th! Tix and info:

https://gardearts.org/events/sinners-circle/

28/05/2025

Introducing… Jim Carpenter!

Jim Carpenter (aka James Waine Carpenter) is an award-winning singer-songwriter, author, and record producer. As chief songwriter for The Hoolios, The CarLeans, and Southern Fiction, as well as performing as a solo artist, Jim has twelve albums of original music to his credit.

Carpenter’s myriad awards include winning the Chicago Songwriting Contest, being a finalist (twice) in the South Florida Song Competition and the Nashville Songwriter’s Contest, placing second in Boston’s Rose Garden Song Competition, and an honorable mention in CMT’s Music Songwriting Competition. Locally, he has Whalie Awards for Best Producer, Best Americana Song, Best Americana Band, Best Performance and Best Music Series.

As a fiction writer, he has published five collections of short fiction and the novella Black Narrows. A sixth collection of short stories entitled The Gecko Traveling Circus, as well as a new solo album, Tailights, are scheduled for release in June 2025.

Born in hometown Chincoteague Island, Virginia, he has lived in Norfolk, Cape May, Key West, Miami, and Nashville. He currently resides in Niantic, and records, writes, and produces at LOCO DARE Productions. Jim’s breathtaking guitar-picking skills have inspired countless musicians in the region and beyond, including all of the other Original Sinners.

The Sinners Circle is back! Don’t miss the kickoff… gonna be a good one! https://gardearts.org/events/sinners-circle/

26/05/2025

Introducing Hugh Birdsall!

Hugh Birdsall has been playing music in Connecticut for decades, literally. He is a founding member of The Reducers, Dogbite, The Three-Pack, The Original Sinners, SheSaidHeSaid, and more recently, Hugh and Dana, and The Ground Zero Boys.

Guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer, and bon vivant, he has toured extensively and has performed and recorded in some of the finest studios, basements, garages, dives, and farmers markets in the region, the country and around the world.

Heavily influenced by 30’s blues, 40’s hot jazz, 50’s rock n’ roll, the 60’s folk movement, and the 70’s punk rock explosion, his body of work includes songs as diverse as “Black Plastic Shoes,” “Bombs Away, Lock and Load,” “Grace,” and “Wailing City Girl.” Most recently, he has collaborated with his songwriting partner, Tom Deedy, on a full- blown musical, called War Orphans.

Hugh founded and organizes the annual Pass the Guitar benefit concert for The New London Homeless Hospitality Center, as well as the quarterly Hoot for Hunger to benefit the New London Community Meal Center, drawing together regional talents to raise money for these critical community services.

Join us for the reboot Friday, June 20th! https://gardearts.org/events/sinners-circle/

06/05/2025

“Testing, testing 1,2,3…” Is this thing on?? You bet it is…

Very excited to announce the return of the Sinners Circle, one of the state’s premiere songwriting circle series, coming to the recently refurbished Oasis Room at the Garde Arts Center Friday, June 20!

To reboot the series, series founders (“Original Sinners”) Hugh Birdsall, Jim Carpenter, John Fries and Ben Parent will come together and share the stage together for the first time since before COVID. We are very excited to be partnering with the fine folks at the Garde on this renewed endeavor.

For the uninitiated, the Sinners Circle was created about 15 years ago with the idea of bringing novel combinations of working songwriters together, from different genres, to share songs, swap stories, network and get to know each better, performing in the round “without a net” in front of a discerning listening audience. We started out in coffee shops and grew to larger stages such as the Eugene O’Neill Theater Rose Barn and the Hygienic Art Park. Many, many of CT’s best songwriters have played a Sinners Circle, from a wide range of musical backgrounds and styles.

Tickets go on sale Tuesday, May 6 at the Garde’s website (link in comments). There are two tiers of tickets— front row/high top tables, and general seating. $26/22 in advance, $28 at the door. Libations/refreshments will be available at the show.

We are very excited to reboot this popular music series to support songwriting and original music in SECT. Hope you to see you out there!

04/01/2018

Happy 2018! On this snowy day, here's a brand new song/video from Lara Herscovitch who played the Sinners Circle a while back (in sunnier weather)!

Official Wingspan music video! Filmed, Directed & Edited by Brennan Alexa www.brennan-alexa.website and Instagram Lyrics: Holy grail way over...

05/09/2016

More pics from Sinners Circle 25!

05/09/2016

01/09/2016

Saturday night in New London!

For years now, over the course of 24 different events, The Sinners Circle — a songwriters' roundtable — has celebrated and/or