Camera Obscura

Camera Obscura

Camera Obscura is an indie pop band from Glasgow, Scotland, active since 1996. The group is associated with indie pop, pop, rock and twee pop, and is one of several acts that have used the name Camera Obscura.

Formation and line-up

The band forms in Glasgow in 1996, founded by Tracyanne Campbell, John Henderson and Gavin Dunbar. It later includes Kenny McKeeve on guitar, Lee Thomson on drums and Carey Lander on keyboards. Campbell handles vocals and guitar. Lander joins the band in 2002 and remains a member until her death from bone cancer in 2015.

Releases

Camera Obscura’s debut album, Biggest Bluest Hi-Fi, appears in 2001. The following year the band releases Underachievers Please Try Harder. In 2005 it begins recording Let’s Get Out of This Country with producer Jari Haapalainen, and the album is released in 2006. The record appears high on many critical lists of the best albums of that year. In 2009 the band signs to 4AD, which releases its fourth album, My Maudlin Career.

Current status

The band remains active and continues to be listed as a Glasgow-based UK indie rock group.