While browsing Youtube for interesting trance-related content I came across this excellent music video for Lost In Translation by the genre-defying New Zealand group Pitch Black. The song is taken from their album Ape To Angel, originally released in 2004. The video is quite tasteful—unlike a lot of the rubbish that floats around the trance scene. I really like the distinctive visual aesthetic in use here—it meshes well with the music and shows the producers in action but doesn’t overdo anything. Flash is required to view this video:

While we’re on the subject, don’t miss out on Pitch Black’s latest album Rude Mechanicals; it has been in regular rotation around here for months now and shows no sign of losing its lustre. I hope to get to a full review soon, but the short version is that I heartily recommend it for anyone seeking something a little different from the norm. They’ve also got a video out for the title track, but this one might be a little more inaccessible for trance fans than Lost In Translation. Check it out if you’re up for some deep dubby rhythms and ecologically conscious lyrics.

Welcome to another edition of the North American Summer Festival Guide! Festival season is not far off, and many trance fans across the continent are beginning to plan out their summers. Several organizers have already announced dates and line-ups whereas others are still working out the details. I have gathered a list of festivals along with their dates, where announced, and linked back to the home page of each festival where applicable. This list is certain to grow as spring unfolds and information rolls in. Be sure to check back for updates!

Sacred Earth :: May 30/31, June 1 (Black River Falls, Wisconsin)

Fairies Gone Wild :: June 6/7/8 (Somewhere in Quebec)

Gemini :: June 13/14/15 (Somewhere in California?)

Om :: June 16/17/18/19/20/21/22 (Somewhere in Ontario)

Gaian Mind :: June 19/20/21/22 (Central Pennsylvania)

Entheos :: June 20/21/22 (The Sunshine Coast, B.C.)

Orb :: July 10/11/12/13 (Echo Lake, New York)

Motion Notion :: July 17/18/19/20 (Drayton Valley, Alberta)

Eclipse :: August 1/2/3/4 (Maniwaki, Quebec)

Shambhala :: August 6/7/8/9/10/11 (Salmo, B.C.)

Natura :: August 28/29/30/31 (Somewhere in Quebec)

El Hal :: September 12/13/14 (Somewhere in Quebec)

T.O.U.C.H. Samadhi :: September 19/20/21 (Somewhere in the Appalachians)

Harvest :: September, TBD (Somewhere in Ontario)

In addition to the list above, here are a few more festivals for which dates have not yet been announced. Keep an eye out for more information about Symbiosis (CA) and Space Gathering (PQ).

For reference, this is version 1.3 of the guide, updated on May 9th, 2008. If you have any tips or info, feel free to contact me.