1. An indie pop band from… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least four artists with this name
1. An indie pop band from Scotland
2. A synthpop group from the United Kingdom
3. A hardcore punk band from the United States
4. An electronic music group from France
1. Camera Obscura is an indie pop band which formed in 1996 in Glasgow, Scotland. Currently the band consists of Tracyanne Campbell (vocals, guitar), Kenny McKeeve (guitar), Gavin Dunbar (bass) and Lee Thomson (drums). Keyboardist Carey Lander was a member of the band from 2002 until her death from bone cancer in 2015.
The band was formed in 1996 by Tracyanne Campbell, John Henderson, and Gavin Dunbar and released their debut album Biggest Bluest Hi-Fi in 2001. Camera Obscura released a second album, Underachievers Please Try Harder, the following year, and in September, 2005, the band started recording their next album, named Let's Get Out of This Country, with producer Jari Haapalainen. This album was released on June 06, 2006 and appeared high up in many critical lists of the 'best albums of 2006'.
In November 2008, the band announced that they have completed recording the follow-up to Let's Get Out of This Country, and that the new album would be released in 2009. In February 2009, it was announced that the band had signed to the label 4AD, who released their fourth album, called My Maudlin Career, on April 20, 2009.
http://www.camera-obscura.net/
2. Camera Obscura comprised Nigel James and Peter Oldroyd, and hailed from the UK. The band formed in 1982 and soldiered through record label hardships until 1987, when they went on indefinite hiatus.
‘Destitution’ and ‘Race in Athens’ became the duo’s first single on Small Wonder Records in the spring of 1983, followed by ‘Village of Stars’ b/w ‘Insect’ for the B-side, in London, at the Atmosphere studios on Wardour Street . These tracks were never released and sadly the masters have not survived.
Camera played live extensively at this time and they soldiered on into 1985 with a 4-piece line up (Gary Scargill and Rob Gospel were added) and the Quartet formed Paradise Now in ‘86. Nigel left in ‘87 and was replaced by Steve Wright from “Fiat Lux”. Sadly the band ended there. However, Camera Obscura never officially split up. In 2005, Nigel and Peter dusted off their old material and took to playing shows throughout Europe, finally releasing their lost classic Horizons of Suburbia. All recent Camera Obscura material has been released by German label Anna Louge Records.
http://www.annaloguerecords.com/releases.htm
http://clancamera.com/
3. Camera Obscura is not pulling any punches: they're out to rock you so hard you fall onto the dance floor. The band launches its aural attack using an arsenal comprised of Michelle Maskovich's squealing keyboards, Duane Pitre's mountains of guitar squiggle, William Lamb's thunderous drums, and Russell White's urgent-yet-muffled vocals. Like a dance party during a tornado watch, Camera Obscura throws caution and moderation out the window in favor of thrilling, adventurous sound combinations.
Camera Obscura formed in '98 in San Diego, incorporating members of The Shortwave Channel, The Interstate Ten, and Spanakorzo. The band self-released a seven-inch (now in its fourth pressing on Three One G Records) in October '98 and went on its first U.S. tour in January '99. More touring and recording followed, leading up to the release of their first full-length, 2000's To Change the Shape of an Envelope, on Troubleman Unlimited.
http://www.epitonic.com/index.jsp?refer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.epitonic.com%2Fartists%2Fcameraobscura.html
4. 1. Project active in 1982 from Die Form founder, Philippe Fichot. He released three cassettes under the moniker: "1 - "Terrains Vagues"", "2" and "3/Final Edition". Further information can be found here: http://www.discogs.com/artist/Camera+Obscura+%283%29
Keep It Clean
Camera Obscura Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I guess by now you think I'm weak
I wish you could have said something before now
I will share a bag of chips with you
In my opinion you don't have a clue
I'm being cruel, I'm being cruel
I don't want to be part of your scene
You're the one pretending to be licking stamps
All alone in a room following lines on maps
It's clear you don't want me here
How about I send you a book on nutrition
You can stop spoon-feeding me non-fiction
Just for a while, I will fake a smile
Why did you say she was a friend of mine?
I thought it was me you couldn't stand
I'm confused
I will win you will lose
You've taken to phoning my house when you're drunk
Confessing all your love
I wish you could have said so before now
I don't want to be part of your scene
I'll stick with him and keep my nose clean
In Camera Obscura's song "Keep It Clean" the lyrics express the confusion and frustration of the singer towards someone who ignores her while walking on the street. The singer wonders if it makes the other person happy to dismiss her presence in front of them in public. She believes that the other person thinks she is weak, which causes her to feel isolated and upset. The singer wanted the other person to say something sooner so that she could understand why they were ignoring her.
The singer offers to share a bag of chips, but she expresses her opinion that the other person does not seem to have a clue on how to communicate, and she admits to being cruel. She declares that she does not want to be a part of their scene, opting instead to remain with someone she trusts and to keep her nose clean. The lyrics suggest that the other person might be pretending to enjoy activities such as stamp-licking, following lines on maps, and spoon-feeding her nonfiction. The singer wishes to receive honesty and sincerity.
The singer becomes confused when the other person claims that a mutual friend was not appealing, as she thought the other person didn't like the singer. Later, the singer reveals that the other person confesses their love for her when they are drunk and wonders why they could not communicate plainly when sober. The song concludes with the singer's decision to avoid the drama and stay with the trusty companion, distancing herself from the other person and their scene.
Line by Line Meaning
Does it make you happy to ignore me on streets?
Do you find joy in purposely avoiding me when we cross paths in public?
I guess by now you think I'm weak
You probably believe that I am feeble by now
I wish you could have said something before now
It would have been better if you had expressed your thoughts earlier
I will share a bag of chips with you
I am willing to share a bag of chips with you
In my opinion you don't have a clue
I believe that you lack knowledge or understanding
I'm being cruel, I'm being cruel
My actions may seem harsh and unkind
I don't want to be part of your scene
I have no desire to associate myself with your group
I'll stick with him and keep my nose clean
I will remain with him and avoid any trouble
You're the one pretending to be licking stamps
You are the one feigning productivity
All alone in a room following lines on maps
You are secluded in a room tracing imaginary routes
It's clear you don't want me here
It is evident that you do not wish for me to be present
How about I send you a book on nutrition
Maybe I could provide you with a book regarding healthy eating habits?
You can stop spoon-feeding me non-fiction
You can refrain from attempting to convince me of wild, unrealistic ideas
Just for a while, I will fake a smile
I may pretend to appear content for a brief period
Why did you say she was a friend of mine?
Why did you mention that she was an acquaintance of mine?
I thought it was me you couldn't stand
I was under the impression that you disliked me
I'm confused
I am uncertain and perplexed
I will win you will lose
I will be triumphant and you will suffer defeat
You've taken to phoning my house when you're drunk
You have resorted to calling my residence while inebriated
Confessing all your love
Admitting to having strong romantic feelings for me
I wish you could have said so before now
It would have been preferable if you had mentioned your affection earlier
I don't want to be part of your scene
I have no desire to associate myself with your group
I'll stick with him and keep my nose clean
I will remain with him and avoid any trouble
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: TRACYANNE CAMPBELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Danjbm 71
Does it make you happy to ignore me on streets?
I guess by now you think I'm weak
I wish you would have said something before now
I wouldn't share a bag of chips with you
And in my opinion you don't have a clue
I'm being cruel, I'm being cruel
I don't want to be part of your scene
I'll stay with him, I'll keep my nose clean
You're the one pretending to be licking stamps
All alone in a room following lines on maps
It's clear you don't want me here
How about I send you a book on nutrition?
Stop spoon-feeding me non-fiction
Just for a while, I will fake a smile
I don't want to be part of your scene
I'll stay with him, I'll keep my nose clean
Oh, why did you say she was a friend of mine?
I thought it was me you couldn't stand
I'm confused, I will win, you will lose
You've taken to phoning my house when you're drunk
And then confessing all your love
I wish you would have said so before now
I don't want to be part of your scene
I'll stick with him, I'll keep my nose clean.
Emmanuel Quinones
Damn been so long since I heard this song. Amazing.
Jamie Robe
This is so good, how come such low view count. I just found them out in 2011 :-) Spread the word - they are great.
discdon
This is the fourth Camera Obscura video I've watched/listened to in the last 20'. Every one a brilliant, low key, subtle masterpiece...
Adam D
The melody takes me back in time to vintage sesame street.
Petr Vaněk
Because of Feist
Adam D
@Petr Vaněk No. Just Sesame.
Narrowpath247
The go team gives that vibe to i know what you mean.
Bonivasios Dwi
oh god. miss this band so much
Brandon Bushong
Saw them in 2004 in Philadelphia at the North Star. Great show.
To Mitsuya
i love it!