Download The Syncopaths feature Ryan McKasson on fiddle, Christa Burch on

Celtic-Americana “chamber folk”
for the purist & progressive alike:
superb fiddle-mandolin interplay,
expressive vocals, inventive
piano, and driving bodhrán.
Carl Jung once said that the creation of something
new is the result not of intellect, but of the creative
mind playing with things it loves...in short,
serendipity.
Guided by this premise, the Syncopaths tap the
emotional core of the Celtic tradition, framed
within a compelling, rhythmic interplay of fiddle
and mandolin, rich vocals, and unexpected colors and rhythms from the piano
and bodhrán. Serendipity yields fresh, spontaneous arrangements of music and songs
rooted in the Scottish, Irish, and American folk traditions. From concert halls to dance
floors, the Syncopaths infuse these traditions with contemporary colors and
sensibilities; the exuberant joy they derive from the music and each other is
palpable, contagious, and transporting.
Every instrument, every voice, every personality has a story to tell here. At the heart
of the band's sound are the virtuosic twin engines of Ryan McKasson's dynamic,
Scottish-based fiddling, and the understated-but-monster picking of mandolinist
Ashley Broder, intertwined with Christa Burch’s expressive, warm voice. Jeff
Spero weaves deft melody, strong counter-point harmony, and inventive and
surprising piano into the mix, all anchored by the compelling, driving power of
Christa's bodhrán. All in all, the Syncopaths are equally at home with pulsing, highenergy dance tunes and beautiful, contemplative songs. They ably stretch melodic
boundaries while keeping a steady, compelling, danceable beat.
The Syncopaths offer an abundance of talent, experience, and creativity; the band
tours nationally, performing for arts organizations, festivals, camps, and dance
communities. They have released two CDs, “Five Gears” (2010) and “Rough around
the Edges” (2005). Ryan is a US National Scottish Fiddle Champion; Ashley is
both a Western Open Picking Champion and Independent Music Award winner;
Christa was named LiveIreland Newcomer of the Year in 2010; and Jeff is a
nationally-respected contra dance caller and accompanist. They have taught at
many prestigious music camps, including Swannanoa, Pinewoods, Rocky Mountain
Fiddle Camp, Boston Harbor Scottish Fiddle School, Valley of the Moon, the
Southern Hemisphere International School of Scottish Fiddle in New Zealand, Camp
Kiya, Kaufman Kamp, and more.
Serendipity also describes the band’s origin. The Syncopaths might be called a
happenstance band, “the one that nearly got away.” Brought together in 2002 by
renowned bluegrass fiddler Richard Greene, Christa, Ryan, and Jeff had met, but
never collaborated. The instantaneous, electrifying synchronicity (cont’d)
www.syncopaths.com
310.266.7692
Photo: Alyson Cohen
“Though they may not have
the international acclaim of
the likes of Solas or the
Chieftains, make no mistake,
the Syncopaths are nothing
short of a Celtic supergroup.”
– The Irish Herald
“The energy, joy, and
spontaneity…rolls right off the
stage. The combination will
make you feel like you’re firewalking.”
– Portland Country Dance
Community Footnotes
“...should appeal to both the
purist and to those who prefer
a modern take."
– Irish Music Magazine
“Christa’s voice is a magic
carpet upon which we fly over
castles and lochs, through
dewy green glens and cozy
warm pubs, and across the
restless seas of the Celtic
islands.”
– Fiddlefreak Folk Music
Review
[email protected]
discovered in that single rehearsal compelled them to find new opportunities to play together...but it took two false starts,
the addition of a fourth member, and nearly a year and a half before the band got off the ground. The ensuing decade has
been filled with inspiration, adventure, and deepening musical maturity.
Ryan's inventive and dynamic fiddling is the heart and soul of the Syncopaths’ sound.
Noted both for his folk and classical work, he has shared the stage with Bobby McFerrin
and Elvis Costello, and has worked with modern composer Phillip Glass. A two-time US
National Scottish Fiddling champion, his greatest influences are renowned Scottish fiddler
Alasdair Fraser and Cape Breton fiddler Buddy MacMaster. Ryan also has a duo with
guitarist Dave Bartley, and tours with chamber group Ensemble Galilei. He has taught at
the Southern Hemisphere International School of Scottish Fiddle in New Zealand, Valley of
the Moon Scottish Fiddle School, Boston Harbor Scottish Fiddle School, Rocky Mountain
Fiddle Camp, Pinewoods, and Swannanoa.
Ashley’s elegant, understated picking marries beautifully with Ryan’s fiddling, and the
interplay between to two defines the evolving Syncopaths sound. She is a former Western
Open Picking champion, and 2008 winner of the “Best Traditional Song” category in the
Independent Music awards. Ashley helped Mike Marshall compile his mandolin method
books. She has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Wintergrass Festival, and
Millpond Festival, and opened for Solas and Altan. In addition to mandolin, Ashley plays
the violin and cello, and performs with the latter in the Channel Islands Chamber
Orchestra. She has taught at the Swannanoa Gathering, Kaufmann Kamp, and Mandolin
Symposium.
Christa's expressive, supple voice is fresh, powerful, and instantly recognizable, and her
bodhrán lends power and groove to the Syncopaths' sound. Part of a vibrant new
generation of American folk singers, Christa works with keepers of the tradition such as
Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser, and the David Munnelly Band, as well as experimental
projects like the a capella duet Lintie and the nouveau-Celtic band Blackwaterside. She
has taught at the California Traditional Music Society’s Solstice and Equinox Festivals;
many contra dance festivals and weekends; and Camp Kiya Music in the Mountains.
Jeff's energetic, creative style at the keyboard serves as the perfect foil to Ryan’s fiddling
and provides the driving power in the Syncopath’s engine. Well versed in genres from folk
to rock to country, he has performed with fiddlers Richard Greene, Laura Light, Michael
Mendelson and Tom Sauber. Jeff plays in several Southern California contra dance bands,
and is also a nationally respected contra dance caller and dance composer. He is co-editor
of the book “(southern) California Twirls” and is currently working on his second book of
California contra dances.
“The Syncopaths are… an excellent, and never boring, ‘jam band’…
the possiblities are endless, such is the skill of the players.” – The Irish Herald
The Syncopaths are available for:
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Concerts, festivals, camps, residencies
Master classes, with an emphasis on the tradition and techniques of Scottish and Irish vocal and instrumental music
Fiddle, viola, mandolin, bodhrán, and piano workshops for all ages, including playing by ear, improvising, and
learning to play as part of an ensemble
For schools, the Syncopaths can present both educational performances as well as bus-in performances in
conjunction with evening concerts at performing arts centers.
Performance format: Quartet
“The Syncopaths are tapping into a chamber folk world of complex, choppy rhythms and instrument virtuosity that has
propelled bands…to the top of the folk charts. It's a great sound and they wear it well.” – Hearth Music
www.syncopaths.com
310.266.7692
[email protected]