Fontain's M.U.S.E. has picked up on a little known trend in popular music using Sitar and Electric sitar influences in their music. The Sitar's known use in a western pop song was in 1965, when The Yardbirds hired a sitar player to provide the main riff of their "Heart Full Of Soul" single. That version and the band's original take of "Shapes Of Things" also featuring the sitar, were however not released at the time. The Rolling Stones' guitarist Brian Jones used the sitar in "Paint It Black", and "Mother's Little Helper"; he also played the tambura on "Street Fighting Man". The sitar was used by The Beatles in "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)", "Love You To", "Within You Without You", "The Inner Light", "Tomorrow Never Knows", and "Across The Universe" (with Ravi Shankar). Prior to this however, the sitar did appear on the American release of Help!, on an instrumental track called "Another Hard Day's Night" (a medley of "A Hard Day's Night", "Can't Buy Me Love", and "I Should Have Known Better"). This track has not been included on modern releases of the album. George Harrison was introduced to the sitar by The Byrds, though this group never featured the instrument on records; guitarist Roger McGuinn used a retuned 12-string guitar to recreate the harmonies of Ravi Shankar (as did Brian Jones on some occasions). Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers used the sitar in their single "Don't Come Around Here No More". A fad for sitars in pop songs soon developed. The late 1960s saw the release of The Monkees' "This Just Doesn't Seem To Be My Day", The Box Tops' "Cry Like A Baby" (electric sitar), The Lemon Pipers' "Green Tambourine" (electric sitar), Traffic's "Paper Sun" and The Kinks' "Fancy". Though the craze had died down by 1970, the sound of the sitar had become an indelible part of pop music. The Dutch band Shocking Blue used the sitar in many of their songs, most prominently in "Love Buzz," "Acka Raga," "Water Boy," "Hot Sand," and "I'm A Woman." Strawberry Alarm Clock would use a sitar in their songs such as "An Angry Young Man". Art-Rock bands such as The Moody Blues used the sitar on a few albums, particularly on the album "In Search of the Lost Chord." The Pretty Things "Defecting Grey" also had a sitar. So did Procol Harum's epic Song "In Held 'Twas In I" on the segment "Glimpses of Nirvana". Even Donovan's hit song "Hurdy Gurdy Man" used a Sitar ([Tamboura]) Having said all of that, Fontain's M.U.S.E. has enraptured audiences throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles and San Diego with their mix of Improvisation, Alternative and Eastern styles since 2000. Fontain's M.U.S.E. has performed for the popular Sonoma County, Health and Harmony Festival as well Tribal Groove Temple. They have made many friends and fans appearing in their monthly theatrical show with the Magique Bazaar at the Historic Gas Lighter Theater. Recently, at the Bala Yoga, a well-known Hollywood dance hall and health center they enchanted a full house of adoring fans. This dynamic duo's live performances can include synchronized acrobats, magicians, stilt walkers, and muses of all sorts given the venue opportunities. A local favorite among belly dance schools, The Goddess Temple of Orange County, their performances always inspire the audience to join-in the fun and creativity. Fontain Riddle: Spirited vocalist, songwriter and instrumentalist Fontain Riddle combines cultures, dreams and a keen interpretation of life's experiences to evolve her music. Her inspiration comes from eastern philosophy, politics, dancers, jazz, friends, books, even bad love experiences. Having been raised in the internationally diverse Washington D.C. area, Fontain's early musical influences were formed by the close bonds she made with several Indian and Pakistani neighbors who played Indian classical and folk music at family gatherings. She went on to perform professionally through high school at local Sarasota jazz cafes and restaurants. After earning her BFA from Ringling School of Art, she toured nationally performing for audiences throughout 46 States and internationally, including countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and France. She returned state side to earn her masters and through a grand note of synchronicity she met Farhan Khan during music engineering class and the story continues… Farhan Khan: Beat and groove producer Farhan Khan is originally from Karachi, Pakistan. He plays sitar, guitar and bass guitar fluently. His unique style has created a perfect balance between East and West for Fontain's M.U.S.E. with his intense dance grooves, and multinational instrumentation captivating the modern listener. He is a sitar student of the internationally famous Habib Khan and is a graduate of Musicians Institute in Hollywood California and has earned his BA in music engineering from Cogswell College in Sunnyvale California. East meets West in the left and right hands of Farhan Khan and the story continues… Their collaboration and creation, Mystic Kiss is a blend of diverse styles including world-beat, new age, pop, electronica and jazz. Like Gypsies, each track travels to an exotic horizon and exposes the listener to a unique sonic experience that is both powerful and soothing. Radiating with hypnotic lyrical themes and infectious melody hooks that span the spectrum of spiritual, thought-provoking, psychedelic, move your body experience!