From Honky-Tonk to Holy Ground: Gareth Leach & the Narratives of Hope Deliver a Raw Masterclass on ‘Blues, Grass & Gospel’
By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine
Fresh off the momentum of a 2023 ARIA-charting album and a 2024 Golden Guitar nomination, Gareth Leach & the Narratives of Hope are stepping back into the spotlight with their latest offering, Blues, Grass & Gospel. Set for release this Friday, 27 February, via the powerhouse indie country label RTC Records, this EP isn’t just a collection of songs—it’s a gritty, high-octane roadmap of the influences that have forged Leach’s signature sound.
After a decade of deep-diving into the songwriting trenches of the Australian country scene, Leach has opted to look outward and backward, curating a four-track project that captures the unbridled energy of his live performances. It’s a “nod” to the giants whose shoulders he stands on, delivered with the raw honesty we’ve come to expect from one of the industry’s most compelling storytellers.
Track-by-Track Review
1. Reasons Opening the EP is a daring bluegrass reimagining of John Farnham’s 1986 classic. While the original is a polished gem of Australian pop history, Leach and the boys strip it down to its studs and rebuild it with breakneck banjo and fiddle work. It’s upbeat, powerful, and proves that a great song can transcend any genre boundary. By leaning into the “grass” element of the EP’s title, they’ve turned a nostalgic anthem into a high-energy floor-filler.
2. Working on a Building The lead single takes us to church—alt-country style. This AP Carter classic is treated with a reverence for its gospel roots but injected with a contemporary edge. The fusion of soulful harmonies and driving rhythms creates a soundscape that feels both ancient and immediate. It’s the spiritual heartbeat of the record, showcasing Leach’s ability to handle traditional material without it feeling like a museum piece.
3. Ride On Josephine Here, the EP shifts gears into the “Blues.” Tackling Bo Diddley is no small feat, but the Narratives of Hope lean into a heavy, big-rock sound that does the original justice while adding a layer of modern grit. It’s swampy, loud, and swaggering—the kind of track that demands to be heard in a crowded, beer-soaked venue. The “big rock” production here highlights the versatility of the band, proving they can pivot from a mandolin to a distorted Gibson without missing a beat.
4. Old Crow Feather The EP closes with a homecoming. Originally a bluegrass standout on Leach’s 2020 album Trigger, “Old Crow Feather” has been transformed into a Southern Rock powerhouse. As Leach notes, this grittier, heavier version has been a staple of their live sets for years. By finally committing this “rocked-up” arrangement to tape, the band has captured the definitive version of the song—raw, weathered, and undeniably Southern.
The Verdict
Blues, Grass & Gospel is a successful exercise in “paying homage” while moving forward. It manages to bottle the lightning of a Gareth Leach live show—a feat that is notoriously difficult to achieve in a studio setting. With a tour and festival circuit on the horizon, this EP serves as a perfect calling card for what to expect when the lights go down and the amps turn up.
“The idea was to capture the sound of what GL&TNOH delivers in our live show… It’s a really exciting record for me and the boys to see come to life!” – Gareth Leach