Ghost Stories by gareth koch

Ghost Stories creates an ethereal sound world, blending the aesthetic nuances of medieval chant with rock psychedelia. The mood of the album is defined by chiming cathedral-like textures, as if the monks themselves are playing guitars, percussion & lyres.

This record could perhaps be described as prog-rock, yet it is much more than that. The listener will discover the album’s unique identity & subtle references to music past & present. This is a refreshingly new recording which deftly sidesteps easy characterisation.

Ghost Stories can be seen an evolution of my duo albums ‘Songs From Another Life’ with Steve Kilbey & ‘Music in the Afterlife’ with Martin Kennedy. While the previous albums might serve to shed light on the preoccupations of this one, it is a standalone & distinctive creation.

The titles & ambience of ‘Ghost Stories’ guide us on an otherworldy journey. We are led variously through imagined states of being to experience Catacombs, Unblessed Spirits, Longing & Redemption via shimmering textures.

Sounds like:

• Pink Floyd meets The Church in 1500
• Medieval Psychedelic Rock
• Monks with guitars, lyres & drums
• Hildegard von Bingen (1080) discovers the electric guitar
• Chiming shimmering jangle rock meets classical guitar
• Ethereal progressive rock meets medieval

Recorded & inspired by the mystery & wilderness of Tasmania.

Tracklist

1.	Redemption	2:17

2.	Old Church	2:33

3.	Dance of the Unblessed Spirits	2:42

4.	Catacombs	4:34

5.	Benedictine	2:55

6.	Amadeo	3:03

7.	Longing	2:16

8.	Succubus	2:58

9.	She Moves through the Fair	3:10

Credits

released August 24, 2023

Production & recording: Gareth Koch
Mixing: Russell Pilling
Mastering: Andrew Beck
Photography: Sally Ling
Design & Layout: Jamie Coghill
Drums (tracks 2, 4 & 6): Dane Leonard

Co-production & special thanks to: Felix Hayman, Steven Edwards, Gerald Payne, Kathryn Spry, Paul Webb, Joel Peterson, Carl Koontz, Stephen Deague. Steven Schauer, Wayne Foraker, Rex Alexandre & Glen Macready

License