“Together since 1997 and as American as music comes, the Rivergods are a genre-defying collection of the ethereal, the gritty, the raw and the real.” – Tim Malcolm, Norwich Bulletin

The Rivergods are a memorable, original, award-winning act based in southeastern CT that has played its own heartfelt harmony-rich folky/rootsy/rockish music (and occasionally, some choice covers!) since 1997. The Rivergods are fronted by husband/wife songwriters, Ben and Nancy Parent, who often perform as a duo. Ben and Nancy have written and performed together for over 25 years, and blend their voices with the sort of instinctual harmonies that are perhaps only achieved through blood, time or marriage. The Rivergods’ full band includes a rotating lineup of some of the finest, most talented players in southern New England, who round out the couple’s harmonious Americana sound.

“Borrowing from country, folk, rock, and the blues, The Rivergods wear their influences on their collective sleeves while peppering in their own twists on each genre. Fans of everybody from Jason Isbell to ‘70s Bob Dylan will find a lot to love in The Rivergods…” – Chip McCabe, Hartford Courant

The Rivergods have seven albums of original material out (here’s our complete discography) and are gearing up for recording our next full length. Ever prolific as songwriters, Ben and Nancy started a Soundcloud page during COVID-19 for sharing demos and unreleased songs. The Rivergods have garnered a ton of good press for their eclectic recordings over the years — The New Haven Advocate once hailed the band’s “perfect eclecticism: country, gospel, pop and funky back beats mixed seamlessly.” Alright!

“One of the area’s finest and best-loved bands.” —Rick Koster, New London Day

The Rivergods have won many regional Whalie Awards (kind of southeastern CT’s version of the Grammies) over the past decade and continue to be a popular live draw in the region. The Rivergods have played hundreds of shows and festivals over the years, including playing to 15,000+ people at Summer Pops in Westerly, RI for several years running, Sailfest and Opsail in New London, CT, the Meriden Daffodil Festival, the Block Island Music Festival, the NEMO New Music Showcase in Boston, NXNE in Toronto, Canada and more. Ben and Nancy enjoy both big outdoor stages, and small, intimate listening rooms equally.

“Consisting of an interesting array of rock, bluegrass, country and (other) sounds … The Rivergods have this incredible chemistry that in turn, creates incredible music.” ­— David Fidrych, Soundwaves Magazine

Don’t just take our word for it… (!) The band was once profiled by No Depression (the quote “bible of alternative country”) when it was a real, honest-to-goodness monthly print magazine as a national, up-and-coming ‘band to watch’; they were once featured as a FolkAlley.com artist of the month; Connecticut Magazine, Soundwaves and Soundcheck Magazine have written about the band — many other newspapers and arts weeklies have, too. Read more here.

We’re so glad you found us and we hope you enjoy the music! Please, follow us on Instagram and Facebook, and feel free to get in touch!

Ben & Nancy Parent
The Rivergods