Hosted by Hugh Birdsall

ABOUT THE SINNER’S CIRCLE

“To think it all began on an uneventful morn” –Bob Dylan

Sinner’s Circle is a Nashville-style songwriters’ circle in southern New England where local musicians share and perform new material in a supportive, collaborative environment. Founded in 2010 by Ben Parent, Jim Carpenter, Hugh Birdsall, and John Fries, it provides a space for songwriters to connect with peers and a discerning audience.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Hugh Birdsall – Host

“Original Sinner” and host Hugh Birdsall has been playing music in Connecticut for decades, literally. He is a founding member of The Reducers, Dogbite, The Three-Pack, 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.

Sandy Allen

Sandy “Sandman” Allen has been writing, performing and recording his songs for more than 60 years. Born and raised in a small, rural town in New York, he moved around in his twenties, spending most of those years in New York City, where he was a founding member of the bands Papa Nebo and Free Beer. Those groups recorded four albums on major labels, and toured the country throughout the ’70s.

In 1981, he moved to Mystic, CT, and a few years later settled in Westerly, R.I., where he resides today. In the last 40 years, the “Sandman” has become familiar to area music fans as a member of numerous bands, playing mandolin, electric/acoustic guitar, weissenborn and washboard, most notably in The Hoolios, The Rivergods, Hellbent & Heartbreakin’, and, more recently, Sweet Mercy! and Undercover Cameo.

In addition to his work with these folks, Sandy has carried on his own solo career, and he has plans to record again soon.

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Brian Larney

Brian Larney is a Connecticut-based singer-songwriter known for his sharp melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and genre-bending sound that blends indie pop, folk, and power pop. Larney’s musical journey has been defined by a rich tapestry of melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and a commitment to genuine storytelling.

Larney has carved a niche for himself in the Northeastern music scene, with his songs finding a home on the airwaves of esteemed stations like WFUV in New York. His hauntingly beautiful compositions have not only captured the hearts of radio listeners but have also made their mark on television and film, including the soundtrack of Sylvester Stallone’s “Driven.”

A prolific artist and dynamic live performer, he delivers songs that balance vulnerability with wry wit and cinematic sweep. With comparisons to Elvis Costello, Ron Sexsmith, and Neil Finn, Larney has built a reputation for crafting intelligent, hook-driven music that resonates deeply with audiences. Larney has graced stages alongside musical luminaries such as Cheap Trick, Big Head Todd, Eddie Berman, and many more.

A true musical polymath, weaving intricate melodies on both guitar and piano, Larney’s discography boasts five albums and a dozen singles, and his dedication to his craft is evident in the depth and diversity of his musical output.

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