JT+Agnostics were a blues band from the heart of New Zealand’s Waikato region, fronted by bassist, songwriter, poet and philosopher John Thomson. Together with guitarist Maciek Hrybowicz, John co-wrote a distinctive body of songs rooted in blues tradition but unmistakably of their place – music the band proudly called Kiwiana blues.
In New Zealand there’s often a sense of orthodoxy about what counts as “authentic” blues. But the blues has travelled far from its origins, evolving as it took root in new cultures and landscapes. JT+Agnostics embraced that evolution, filtering the form through the spirit and scenery of Aotearoa – humorous, poignant songs about love, meaning, fame, chaos, and the enduring power of the blues to get you through. Blues you can truly believe in.
The band’s core lineup featured Ben Gilgen on keyboards, Bill Forrest on saxophone and Mickey Ututaonga on drums, with a wider whānau of musicians joining live and in the studio – vocalist Holly Shepheard, drummers Neil Reynolds, Freddy Limbert and Vernon Maatchitt, backing vocalist Katt Bayne, and trumpeter Grant Mason.
Their debut album, Yes More Blues, was recorded at The Porch Recording Studio between 2022 and 2023, produced and mixed by Maciek Hrybowicz, and released on 12″ vinyl and digital in October 2024.
John Thomson passed away on 7 January 2025. A gifted songwriter and a dear friend, his ability to weave words and music into profound expressions of life’s beauty and complexity touched everyone who knew him. Yes More Blues stands as his enduring legacy – his words, music and wisdom continue to inspire.
