05 August 2022 - 0 Comments

Everytime I Walk Out The Door is the second release from JT+Agnostics.

John Thomson, who leads the band, has been playing and gigging since the early 1970’s. A savvy bass player and singer/songwriter with an ironic touch, he makes a canny quick-witted job of fronting the band.

Thomson explains about Everytime I Walk Out The Door: “Songs are like children - they need nurturing to grow up. I’m the antithesis of a fast writer - most of my songs have been a long time coming - e.g. the first version of Everytime was done in 1984. As a musician who plays the blues, one is bound to try and write a nice slow 12/8. When Maciek and I worked this song over 37 years later, I asked him if he could de- ' Stormy Mondayise' it.”

The song is about a stage in all relationships after the honeymoon period is over and you’re having to sort out some serious stuff and one is having the “should I stay or should I go” mood, and when one leaves home for solo activities there is always the “strange old feeling” of walking out the door.

Shooting Everytime I Walk Out The Door video took place at JT’s property near Kāwhia, with the enthusiastic help of friends family and a dog. Simon Raby, well known cinematographer who has worked on and directed sections of the movie Lord of The Rings and the TV series, really liked the song when he heard it while on holiday at JT’s place. As well as large and elaborate projects Simon says, he also likes working on videos using minimal gear and crew. With a small crew and cast of family and friends the video was shot over 2 nights in January in JT’s overgrown garden. Maciek and JT suspended their surprise at being asked to play in a bath as they were carried along with Simon’s enthusiasm.

Thomson started playing music in the Waitakeres, in his late 20’s, and became part of the regular line-up performing at the infamous Globe Tavern. In 1990 his band JT and the Bluebenders (with Brett Neilsen, Graeme Webb and John Key) were playing at the Gluepot and in walked Joe Walsh who asked if he could join them!

Thomson teamed up with Maciek Hrybowicz, a Kiwi jazz guitarist, originally from Poland in 2020 and they formed JT+Agnostics.

This unorthodox musical partnership, with the combination of blues and jazz plus the witty lyrics make for Kiwicana blues – blues you CAN believe.

John is often joined on vocals by his daughter Holly Shepheard.

The last stanza of musical life can be the most creative and the most joyful and fun. JT+Agnostics is about that - original songs and the cream of the blues songbook played with simpatico band members.

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