Sinner's Circle

The Sinner’s Circle began in 2010 with a simple idea: bring a Nashville-style songwriters’ circle to southern New England—a welcoming space where local songwriters could try out new material, swap songs, and share their craft with both peers and a discerning listening audience.

The project was sparked when Ben Parent (of The Rivergods), inspired by stories from Jim Carpenter (The Hoolios) about songwriter circles he’d experienced down south, joined forces with two other prolific area artists: local rock legend Hugh Birdsall (The Reducers, Dogbite) and blues-driven guitarist John Fries (The Heat). Together, they formed what became known as The Sinner’s Circle.

Now, the Circle returns for a brand-new run at the Garde Arts Center in the Oasis Room, featuring a state-of-the-art sound system and an upstairs bar. The series promises not only a reconnection with the spirit that launched the Circle, but also an exciting step forward for the local songwriting community.