User:Jerholiday

Syncretism is an Australian alternative rock duo formed in 2020. Syncretism’s music features slow tempos and ethereal soundscapes, incorporating elements of dream pop, post-rock, neo-psychedelia, and indie rock. Syncretism describes themselves as “Modern retro old-school guitar rock neo-psychedelic pop classicists.”

Syncretism consists of Dave Scotland on lead vocals, guitar, bass and keyboards and Peter Koppes (ex-The Church) on guitar, piano and bass. Scotland composes the music and Koppes composes the lyrics. The two members collaborate as producers and arrangers.

Syncretism’s debut album, Lone Drifters?, was released on September 4, 2020.

History
Dave Scotland and Peter Koppes first collaborated in the mid-1970s in the Canberra, Australia-based glam rock/proto-punk band Baby Grande. Baby Grande’s membership also included Koppes’ future co-founder of The Church, vocalist Steve Kilbey, bassist Joe Lee, drummer Ken Wylie, along with Scotland and Koppes on guitars. Baby Grande recorded demos throughout 1975 to 1977 but was not signed to a recording contract. The band broke up after being rejected by EMI Music Australia. In 2018, over 40 years after being recorded, Baby Grande's original demos were officially released on limited edition LP by HoZac Records.

After each had left to travel and play in other bands, including Limazine (Koppes) and Tactics (Kilbey), Koppes and Kilbey met again in Sydney in March 1980 and formed The Church. Koppes remained a continuous member of The Church from 1980 through 2019 (with a brief departure from 1993-1996), achieving worldwide success with hit singles including “The Unguarded Moment”, “Almost With You”, “Under the Milky Way”, “Reptile”, “Metropolis”, and the gold-certified album Starfish. (1988). Koppes additionally pursued a solo career, launched the band The Well, founded the independent record label Immersion Music, and produced and played on songs for numerous artists concurrent with his membership in The Church.

Following the breakup of Baby Grande, Dave Scotland pursued an unproductive solo recording career with Wizard Records. Scotland kept away from the spotlight but continued songwriting and recording. He remained largely unknown except as a celebrated guitarist by those who heard his style of playing, left-handed on a right-handed guitar.

Syncretism resulted from a social reunion of Scotland and Koppes with Baby Grande drummer Ken Wylie. Scotland was inspired to write some music that he sent to Koppes, and they collaborated to produce the track “Their Song.” The 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns provided further opportunity for Koppes and Scotland to revive their musical collaboration and friendship. Scotland and Koppes exchanged all music online while remaining geographically isolated (Koppes in the Sunshine Coast Region of South East Queensland and Scotland in the northern suburbs of Sydney, NSW). Recognizing that the music was very much a collaborative effort, they selected the band name Syncretism for their project, meaning the amalgamation of different religions, cultures or schools of thought.

Syncretism’s debut single “Sirens” was digitally released on April 3, 2020, followed by second single “Flood Or Fire” on May 15. A four-song EP including both prior singles, along with the tracks “I Live” and “Their Song,” was released on June 12, 2020. Third single “First Nation” was released on July 10, 2020.

Syncretism released its full-length debut album Lone Drifters? on September 4, 2020. The digital download includes a booklet featuring artwork by Dave Scotland and lyrics by Peter Koppes.

Members

 * Dave Scotland – vocals, upside down guitar, upside down bass, keyboards, programming, engineering, producer, arranging, mixing (2020-present)


 * Peter Koppes – lyrics, guitar, effects guitar, piano, bass, engineering, producer, arranging (2020-present)

Discography
Singles:


 * “Sirens” (2020, Syncretism Music)


 * “Flood or Fire” (2020, Syncretism Music)


 * “First Nation” (2020, Syncretism Music)

Extended Play:

EP (2020, Syncretism Music)

Album:

Lone Drifters? (2020, Syncretism Music)