Tag: Gareth Leach

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gareth Leach Releases Bold New Single “Habitual Line Stepper”

If you love your country with some grit, check out Gareth Leach’s new track “Habitual Line Stepper.” We’re all familiar with heavy rock and heavy metal; this single introduces you to a new genre: heavy country. It’s a hard-hitting song about toxic relationships that puts its foot on the throttle and stays the course.

The music video gives you an insight into what it’s like seeing Gareth live. It also features great rodeo footage captured when Glen and his band played the Bendigo M5 Pro Rodeo.

“Habitual Line Stepper” is the third track lifted from Gareth Leach and the Narratives of Hope’s third album, scheduled for released next year. In the lead-up, Gareth has booked plenty of festival performances. Catch him at the following events:

18 & 19 November 2022 – Sale Country Music Festival @ Sale Racecourse, Wayput/Sale
4 & 5 March 2023 – Country by the Bay @ Frankston Foreshore, Bunurong Country/Frankston
1 & 2 April 2023 – Goulburn Country Music Festival, Kanny-goopna/Shepparton

Image used with permission from Rock This Country

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gareth Leach Back and Bold With “God’s Walking Out On Me”

Rock country outlaw Gareth Leach is back with a ballsy new single “God’s Walking Out On Me.” It’s unapologetically brash, with punk and rock influences bringing edge to the classic country sound. If you like your Americana with a shot of whiskey, this one will be right up your alley.

COVID has put the kibosh on a lot of opportunities to see Gareth play, but you can catch him at a couple of festivals this year. Hopefully the pandemic eases and we get a few more dates between these ones.

26 & 27 March 2022 – Country by the River @ Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge
3 & 4 December 2022 – Mornington Country Music Festival @ The Briars, Mornington Peninsula

Image used with permission from Rock This Country

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Death & Taxes” – Gareth Leach

Gareth Leach hails from Echuca, but you wouldn’t know it listening to his new album Death & Taxes. His music feels like it comes from America’s Wild West. It’s country that veers to the left of centre, with a darkness that permeates every track.

The title track, “Death & Taxes,” sets the scene, with his lyrics about rubbing shoulders with the devil and spending time in a bottle. This is outlaw music, gritty, bluesy, deliciously rough and raw. The single “Turn Back Jimmy Creek” is a rollicking ode to the life of a travelling musician.

While the first two songs feel almost like Gareth is playing a role, “Better or Worse?” feels like it comes from a really personal place. Its emotional delivery leaves a big impression. It marks an emotional turning point for the album, with the following tracks like “Drink You Goodnight” and the unsettlingly nostalgic “Wayward Son” strip away the bravado. On the final track, “Raise Up Our Guns,” so much is stripped away that we’re left with just the bare bones, Gareth’s voice and an acoustic guitar. It’s simple but so effective. I enjoyed the album’s early tracks, but the back end is where stuff really gets interesting.

While Gareth’s voice and incredible songs are front and centre, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the extraordinary talents featured on this album. From the fantastic Gretta Ziller on backing vocals to Anthony McCormack on banjo and Shane Reilly on the pedal steel guitar, they help create the distinctive sound that sets this album apart.

At just eight tracks and a run-time of not even half an hour, my only complaint would be that Death & Taxes feels too short. But it’s a case of quality over quantity here folks. There’s something to be said for an artist that leaves you wanting more.

Death & Taxes is out now.