Trance To The Sun

by MacKenzie Wilson

Like their darkwave counterparts (Faith and the Muse, Lush, Slowdive), Santa Barbara, CA's Trance to the Sun illuminated their own brooding dream pop layered with goth rock-humming for a mesmerizing spiral of modern electronica. Multi-instrumentalist Ashkelon Sain formed the musical outfit in 1989, independently releasing Volcano (1990) and Dusk (1991), but the project became a full priority when Zoe Alexandra Wakefield joined in 1993. Struggling to make a name for themselves, Trance to the Sun finally landed a deal with Tess Records in 1994, releasing a second studio effort, Ghost Forest. Their gossamer ambience was critically received, Wakefield's haunting vocals were heavily defined among press and fans. Bloom! Flowers Bloom appeared in 1995, also marking the band's last for Tess, due to Sain and Wakefield establishing their own label, Ambulancia, which issued Venomous Eve that same year. But rance to the Sun also suffered from shifts within the band during the mid-'90s; ain teamed up with singer Dawn Wagner for the mini-release Delerious. The following summer, Trance to the Sun showcased the ethereal beauty of Ingrid Blue, whose vocals captured the sheer essence on 1998's full-length Azalean Sea. Blue also worked with Sain for 1999's Urchin Tear Soda.