As Shihad’s high profile founding frontman of legendary NZ rock band Shihad as well as founder of supergroup, The Adults, Jon Toogood has spent 30 years at the forefront of Aotearoa’s music scene, writing, singing, performing, mentoring, managing, directing, producing, DJ-ing, programming and promoting—all with enormous energy and humanity.

The last few years sparked a series of challenging events for Jon which became a catalyst for him turning inwards to process his experience with the only way he knew how – with music. ‘Last of The Lonely Gods’ is Jon’s first solo record and with stories that will be relatable to many, reveals Jon at his most up close and personal.

“This is a really honest record. It's healing for me, it comforts me, and it’s about looking to the future.”

‘Last Of The Lonely Gods’ is a rousing and optimistic 10-track collection that sees Jon back on the acoustic guitar, making meaning of being separated from his mother in lockdown as she passed away, losing his brother-in-law and experiencing tinnitus as a side effect of long covid.

The collection features title track ‘Last Of The Lonely Gods’ which evolved during a korero with a good friend, ‘Shouldn’t Leave It Like That’ about leaving nothing unsaid to dearly loved ones, and ‘Love Is Forever’ a beautiful lament about seeing your loved one live on in the circle of life.

At his solo shows, where Toogood has road tested some of his new songs, he has people come up to him afterwards to share their stories with him.

“This album is me talking about grief and I’m using the only art form I've ever known since I was 18 to work through it... I really love the songs on the album and playing solo shows. I find that intimate connection with other music-loving human beings really, really healing.”

Written on his own and produced by ARIA award winning producer Scott Horscroft (Empire of the Sun, Silverchair, and Shihad’s Beautiful Machine), ‘Last Of The Lonely Gods’ takes the listener along the journey of grieving the loss of close one’s while being separated by lockdowns, unable to say goodbye, but also looking for silver linings.