Riddle the Sphinx
Los Angeles, California, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
".... Cargill is an accomplished and agile pianist with a gift for melodies. She also possesses a fluid, soulful voice with a wide range. Together, her voice and musicianship beautifully express the sophisticated songs she performs." - Charlie White
"An alluring combination of sensual piano artistry, earthy and angelic/ethereal vocals, lyrical/ambient bass and impeccably solid and intricate drums ... weave an evocative tapestry, a magic carpet ride to a sensual, whimsical holiday." - Cyndhi Mora
"Sensual and poetic ... crisp songwriting and penetrating lyrics .... RTS presents a well-balanced package that deserves to be recognized.” - Albert Vega
"The combination of Christiane Cargill’s smooth, rich vocals and sophisticated piano, with Burgundy Morgan’s stylishly ambient bass and Christopher Pellani’s artistic percussion wove a soulful, almost wistful and mystical wall of sound that enchanted my socks off." - Cyndhi Mora
Riddle The Sphinx is a band that makes converts out of casual attendees. While the act ventures out of the pop-music box, the end results are never too extra-vagant for mass consumption. The group can appeal to mainstream ears and more daring tastes alike. Simply put, RTS is creating original art, and excelling at it. - Albert Vega
"... the show belongs to Cargill. With her sensual approach, her vocals reach far without faltering. Add to this a soulful adeptness on the keyboard, and her stock is sky high." - Albert Vega
"Riddle The Sphinx took the stage next and unleashed their incredible sense of originality and intensity. Led by Chris Cargill on piano and vocals, this band is one of the most unique bands in Los Angeles .... Riddle the Sphinx is the band to see in Los Angeles." - Scott Detweiler
Discography
2012 "Professional Pretender"
2007 "Metamorphosis"
2006 "Fun House"
1999 "The Fallen Ones"
Photos
Bio
Touted “the band to see in Los Angeles” by the NoHo Arts District Music Column, Riddle the Sphinx is an innovative band, bringing to mind artists as diverse as Kate Bush, Loreena McKennitt and Danny Elfman, while at the same time, venturing into unchartered musical territory.
RTS has consistently received accolades from the press for its originality (“one of the most unique bands in Los Angeles,” says NoHo Arts District Music Column) and its charm (“enchanted my socks off,” says All Access Magazine). Their unique style even perplexed the LA Music Awards on what category to include them in for a nomination, before deciding on “Best Adult Alternative Artist of the Year”. Touching on elements of classical, celtic, rock, pop, world beat, jazz, and folk, RTS strives for one thing: to create great music.
Much of the band’s innovative style can be traced back to its front woman, Christiane Kinney. Lead singer, pianist, and songwriter for RTS, Christiane was featured in Glamour Magazine’s Woman of the Year issue, and honored with the Toyota Moving Forward Award for bringing music and art therapy to at-risk children, while driving her own inner passion for music. A fiery redhead classically trained in piano from age three, Christiane loves to try new things, such as scuba diving, indoor skydiving, hang-gliding, and firewalking, to name a few. So it’s no surprise that this passion for life comes out in her music.
RTS’s percussionist, Christo Pellani, has a mesmerizing quality on stage. Featured as one of ten “Unsung Drumming Heroes of Los Angeles” by BAM Magazine, he has toured the world playing concerts with the likes of Air Supply, Mary Wells, and The Shirrelles, and has studied music in Africa, Brazil, India, and Bali. The fusion of Christo’s world music percussion and Christiane’s classically-trained piano and vocals blend together seamlessly to create the band’s distinctive sound. Rounding out the group are bass guitarist, Burgundy Morgan and guitarist, Donovan Raitt, both accomplished musicians who add tasteful textures to compliment the band’s signature style.
Two of the members of the group (Christiane/Christo) also released a Celtic album that received three Grammy considerations on the 2008 Grammy Nomination Entry List. RTS' songs "Into Forever" and "Professional Pretender" have also been included on the nomination entry lists in the "Best Pop Performance By a Duo or Group" category. RTS has performed as direct line support for the Young Dubliners, and has been asked to contribute numerous songs to film soundtracks.
Christiane recalls, “Some of our teenage fans have told me stories about their RTS CDs mysteriously ending up in their parent’s car CD players, and I was so flattered that our music seems to have a broad appeal.” With a fan base from eight to eighty years old, RTS has indeed captured the attention of music lovers across a spectrum of generations.
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