We’re back at Captain Scott’s Lobster Dock in New London this Saturday, July 1 from 6-9pm. Come get your lobster on with us! See you there…

Connecticut College’s Music in the Meadow returns Sunday, June 18 at 4pm in the Arboretum’s outdoor theater by the pond.

The sixth concert in this series boasts another stellar line-up of the region’s finest roots rock/Americana music: The Rivergods (https://therivergods.com/), who’s latest full-length release State of the Union is garnering great reviews, the rhythmic folk rock of Boston’s Black Marmot (https://www.facebook.com/blackmarmot/) and the warm, melodic musings of Westerly, RI’s Wild Sun (http://wildsunusa.com/).

Bring your lawn chairs and blankets for an enjoyable, family-friendly outdoor concert! B.Y.O.P. (Picnic, etc.!), or enjoy some food from our on-hand food truck! Gates open at 4pm, adult tickets are $10, kids $5.

The Rivergods are excited to make our debut at one New London’s hottest new nightspots… The Social Bar & Kitchen! Kick the summer off right with us Saturday, May 27. Great food, great music and 50 (50!!!) beers on tap. We’ll play a few sets starting at 8pm…. see you there! More info here.

We’re super honored to have been featured on the April 2017 cover of Sound Waves magazine, an stalwart southeastern CT/southern RI music magazine that’s been around at least as long as we have… (with the late greats Chuck Berry and James Cotton, no less… woah!) Our friend/fellow musician Sue Menhart interviewed the band in crowded, hazy bar in March… and a good time was had by all. Read the full interview at Sound Waves.

‘State of the Union’ is out… Get your copy now on iTunes! It’s already starting to garner some great reviews…

The New London Day says: “‘State of the Union’ is a fine, 12-song collection reflecting The Rivergods’ consistent but always evolving brand of roots music: harmony-teased heartland rock, modern country-folk, and bits of bluegrass and gospel. Parent is the main composer, and his work displays maturity and a weary but appreciative worldview. Too, with Nancy Brossard Parent, they exhibit a savvy skill at finding like-minded musicians to nuance his material in textural fashion. A lot of great players have been Rivergods over the years — all of whom are still friends — and the latest lineup, including keyboardist/vocalist Bil Groth, bassist Mark Gehret, violinist Dana Takaki and drummer Chris DiBiasi, is undeniably strong.” Read more

Soundwaves Magazine says “[The Rivergods] keep forging ahead as a band, and they are as relevant and entertaining as ever. ‘State of the Union’ couldn’t be more time-appropriate. It is a 12-song collection of beautifully crafted and thought-provoking pieces with precision, state-of-the-art production. Recorded at PWOP Studios in New London with award-winning producer Carl Franklin … Care is taken with every note, and Ben’s vocals let loose genuine, impassioned grit and growl. … What we’ve come to expect from these seasoned songwriters and talented musicians is prevalent here … [the album is] full of radio-ready hooky licks and memorable melody lines. Nancy takes over lead vocals beautifully on ‘Station Down the Line’ with a gentle, pleading and pleasing melody reminiscent of Neil Young. … ‘Dress Like a Poet‘ is classic Rivergods with a driving rhythm and super-fancy cascading instrumental melody lick that is very unique. [‘State of the Union’] has a BIG ENDING which, of course, leaves the listener WANTING MORE!” Read more

The Hartford Courant says: “[The Rivergods] release a great new album every three years or so. ‘State of the Union,’ this year’s model, is a collection of approachable, Heartland rock songs, with acres of harmonies … and lyrics about marriage, religion and the daily struggle to understand what’s going on in America. Acceptance is tempered with spunk and anger; the waltz-time ‘Churches’ is a song-length, fearless indictment of malicious acts — misogyny, violence, misdirection for political gain — performed in the name of religion. The brooding title track, which closes the album, channels late-’80s Neil Young rage, rolling all of ‘Union’s’ aggression up into one mighty spitball…” (Woah! Another Neil reference…)  Read more

No Depression/Adobe and Teardrops says: “The most fun part of listening to ‘State of the Union’ is the Rivergods’ themselves. … They know what they’re doing and the confidence brims over on each song. But they’re not cocky, nor are they too comfortable … they just know each other’s tricks and are having a grand old time doing a good thing.” Read more

(The New London Day‘s Rick Koster and Peter Huoppi also did a podcast, celebrating ’20 years of the Rivergods’ and analyzing our evolving musical style over the years…  Listen here.)

THANKS TO ALL OUR FANS for your continued support. We hope you enjoy State of the Union!

On the eve of our 20th anniversary as a performing band (!!!), The Rivergods are set to release a new full-length album, State of the Union, on Friday, March 3, 2017 at All Soul’s Hall in New London, CT.

State of the Union features over 52 minutes of new Rivergods’ music… 12 new original songs, recorded and produced by Carl Franklin at Pwop Studios in New London, CT in October of 2016. The album is loosely thematic and showcases some pretty smoking musical performances by our current line-up (if we do say so ourselves!!) It’s our first full-length album in several years, and we’re super excited to share it with you.

Stylistically, the music on State of the Union runs the runs the gamut of the Rivergods’ harmony-rich roots/Americana/folk rock sound, from the fuzz guitar-driven rock of the album’s opening cut “Jubilee” and closer “State of the Union”, to the country swing of songs like “Churches” and “New Traditional,” to the folk pop of “New Emperors” and “Dress Like a Poet” and finally, the torch song balladry of “Station Down the Line,” co-written with our good friend Steve Elci, which features a standout solo vocal performance from Rivergods’ co-vocalist Nancy Parent.

The band will be playing two long sets to celebrate the CD release of State of the Union, including performing the full album live from start to finish. We’ll have copies of State of the Union available for purchase, along with cool new men’s and women’s Rivergods t-shirts… yeah!!!

Here’s the full details:

Friday, March 3, 2017
The Rivergods
State of the Union CD Release Party
All Souls Unitarian-Universalist Hall  [map]
19 Jay Street, New London, CT
Showtime 7:30, doors at 7
Suggested donation: $10
Beer, wine, refreshments, merchandise available for purchase
More info

We hope to see you there! Spread the word… and thanks for your continued support over the years!