Riff Kitten

Riff Kitten is the moniker of Minneapolis-based producer and composer Andrew Reilly. A classically trained composer from the University of Minnesota, Reilly bridges the gap between traditional jazz/swing structures and contemporary electronic music.

His sound identity is defined by a 'dark cabaret' or 'circus' aesthetic, characterized by the use of vintage brass samples, vaudevillian piano, and swing-era vocal snippets processed through modern filters and heavy bass synthesis. Since signing with the Freshly Squeezed label, his work has evolved from straightforward downtempo and nu-jazz into a more aggressive and theatrical form of electro swing. His career arc shows a consistent deepening of atmospheric world-building, moving from the chillout vibes of early releases toward the high-concept, cinematic energy of albums like Chaos Parade. Critically, he is noted for his technical proficiency in arrangement, avoiding the repetitive tropes of his genre peers by incorporating varied rhythmic shifts and rich, multi-layered acoustic textures. He occupies a unique space in the US electronic scene, blending European electro-swing sensibilities with a gritty, Midwestern production edge.