Riddle the Sphinx

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 was noteworthy even to the LA Music Awards regarding what category to include them in for a nomination, before they decided upon “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 Cargill Kinney. Lead singer, pianist, and songwriter for RTS, Christiane has been 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. Rounding out the group is co-writer and bass guitarist, Burgundy Morgan, herself an multi-instrumentalist and accomplished musician who adds tasteful textures to compliment the band’s signature style. The fusion of Christo’s world music percussion, Christiane’s classically-trained piano and vocals, and Burgundy’s melodic bass lines blend together seamlessly to create the band’s distinctive sound.

Two of the members of the group (Kinney/Pellani) released a Celtic album that received three Grammy considerations on the 2008 Grammy Nomination Entry List. RTS' song, "Into Forever," was also included on the nomination entry list in the "Best Pop Performance By a Duo or Group" category. RTS has opened 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.