Like their darkwave counterparts (Faith & the Muse, Lush, Slowdive), Santa Barbara, California'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, and 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 Trance to the Sun also experienced shifts within the band during the mid-'90s; Sain teamed up with singer Dawn Wagner for the mini-release Delirious. 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. Atrocious Virgin followed in 2001, the same year Blue and Sain announced they were disbanding the group. After a decade of sporadic activities, including occasional live performance reunions and compilation releases, Trance to the Sun returned in 2016 with Via Subterranea, the group's first new studio full-length since Atrocious Virgin 15 years previously. ~ MacKenzie Wilson