The Rag Poets

The Rag Poets is a band made up of members hailing from Kāpiti and Wellington, and features Carl Evensen – vocals and percussion (Fourmyula), Rob Clarkson – drums, Alan Norman – accordion and 12 string guitar, (who along with Rob played for many years with NZ’s seminal Country band The Warratahs), and Gary Creary on guitar. Gary hails from Toronto and has extensive experience including a stint in the fabled Hawks Nest Band, plus he’s also the guy with Black Dog Guitar. George Barris, on bass, was a member of The Underdogs, Jigsaw, Fresh Air, Highway, Blerta, and now also plays with Laura Collins and the Back Porch Blues Band.

The band weaves together folk, rock, blues, and soul to create a rich, lyrical soundscape rooted in storytelling and connection. Known for their evocative lyrics and raw, melodic hooks, The Rag Poets bring together seasoned musicianship and a passion for authenticity on stage.

They play many of those ‘heady’ Wellington hits from the 60’s & 70’s era, as well as new material they’ve written and a bunch of covers from the likes of John Prine, Boz Scaggs and Neil Young. The band thrives on big vocal harmonies as they continue to maintain the unique sound they’ve developed over the years. Their audiences love the ‘timeless’ music they play and the stories they tell.