Trance to the Sun  

Yet another version of the ever popular 'She sings He plays' duo. This band too, suffered through a litany of shifts before eventually meeting their demise. Their story began in 1989, in Santa Barbara, originally as an incarnation of an instrumental project. Ashkelon Sain and Zoe Alexandra Wakefield are the he and she comprising the maiden version of 'Trance to the Sun'. In 1990, they release the self-produced 'Volcano', this garners them enough attention to be eventually signed by the now, sadly defunct Tess Records. In the meantime, Ashkelon was co-founder of one-album-wonders 'Blade Fetish', which occupied most of his time throughout 1992. Sain's attentions were further diverted for a short time with a stint in 'This Accession' (previously reviewed). However, their first release on the label took the form of a limited release live album 'Ghost Forrest', almost four years later. 1995 saw the bands first chance to record a complete studio album with "Bloom Flowers, Bloom!" A collection of ten tracks, it is uneven, at times unimpressive compared to previous compositions. It seemed to some that at last 'Trance' had hit their stride with their next release 'Venomous Eve' on their own newly founded Ambulancia label. By this time, Trance's music was delving much more into the electro pantheon of post-prog shoe gazing music. The album featured the addition of two supporting musicians to the group. Violinist Anna Schott and keyboardist Lucian S. Donato. A triumph by most standards, it showed a quiet confidence, and a certainty of direction that was partially lacking on "Bloom". However, the optimism would prove to be short lived. Following a grueling tour in support of the album, Wakefield abruptly left not only the group, but dropped out of music completely. Left in a lurch, seemingly on the threshold of major success, Sai was forced to regroup, this time bringing on bassist Ashe Ruppe and drummer Mark Blewett in support of new vocalist Dawn Wagner. This line up recorded "Delirious", a radical departure from the territories they previously called their own. Driven perhaps by Sain's own frustrations with the group, it is a more heavy-handed undertaking, with more up tempo songs. Alas, this too would prove the shortest incarnation of the band, lasting a bare 7 months, before Wagner left to form her own 'Scarlet Slipping'. Sain was again by himself, and the album 'Azalean Sea' with new vocalist Ingrid Blue. 'Azalean Sea' left Blue in the unenviable position of trying to fill the shoes of her two predecessors, as well trying to garner the devotion of the bands fans. Given those circumstances, she performed admirably. Her five tracks combined unreleased material from the previous three years. Despite the apparent odds, Blue managed to gain the approval of their fans, and the album was considered relatively successful. About this time, Patrick Osl of the band 'Thantos' (who, incidentally, performs the semi-Goth track 'World with Tigers', that is also on Red Blood radio) came to the aid of the band, by asking them to join his new 'Precipice Recordings'. The new duo of San and Blue set about work on their first work in earnest as the new personification 'Trance', it what was hoped would be a fruitful collaboration with some longevity. They set out on a 28 date tour, with 'Faith and Disease' prior to releasing 'Urchin Tear Soda'. While an improvement production-wise, it was something of disappointment. Noir chamber music of the dark ambient variety, it lacked anything gripping. They embarked on a short U.S. tour, highlighted by headline appearance at 'Convergence VI, in Seattle. The band's next endeavor, which would turn out to be their last, was the album 'Atrocious Virgin'. This too, met with a large degree of approval, but it was not enough to sustain the partnership, and they dissolved in 2001. Drawing obvious comparisons to similar acts such as Faith and the Muse, and Rhea's Obsession (previously reviews) among others, the various incarnations led to some decided preferences of taste. Many fans are likely to have a preference for a particular album or two, while showing disinterest in other offerings, leading to many a lively discussion. While Sain remained the catalyst, successive changes alter elements of the bands sound. The band also contributed scores of tracks to various compilation and tribute albums, notably a popular cover of Bowie's 'China Girl', as well as a faithful brooding, rendition of Pink Floyd's early classic 'Set the Controls for the heart of the Sun" (featured on Red Blood Gothic Radio). Trance to the Sun has become something of reference point of many bands and relative comparisons. Following their demise, Ashkelon Sain teamed up with former 'Blade Fetish band mate to form 'Submarine Fleet'.www.myspace.com/trancetothesun