Results tagged “cameraobscura”

All photos courtesy Eric Uhlir.

Glasgow's Camera Obscura are about as pretty a pop band as one is ever likely to encounter. The "moods" column on AllMusic.com's review of their latest album is comically accurate: "warm, stylish, springlike, sophisticated, soothing, pastoral, lush, and innocent." The band have been honing a sound that mixes a love of Phil Spector production and Belle and Sebastian twee for nearly fourteen years, and have quietly become one of the most reliable indie-pop acts out there in terms of consistency and quality.

Starting at 5 pm, we'll begin playing tunes and enjoying drink specials, like $1 Pabsts until they run out. Also, we'll be giving away tickets to the upcoming St. Vincent and Camera Obscura shows coming to Austin. To summarize: that's three hours of drinks and good tunes. Beats sitting in I-35 traffic for sure.

Scottish (and mawkish) pop outfit Camera Obscura have released their fourth full-length on 4AD, and singer/songwriter Tracyanne Campbell is as love-struck and befuddled as ever. After three years of silence, My Maudlin Career revives the band's tortured but idyllic approach, carrying on the tradition most notably perfected by The Smiths, Galaxy 500 and of course Belle & Sebastien. Flourished with (yep) maudlin scenes (heartthrob French sailors on a moonlit sea anyone?), baroque reveries and Shakespearean plot lines, it's a wonder bands like the Decemberists can still get a room in the Antiquarian Hotel.

Things are finally starting to come into focus for SX Music '09. A few of the more interesting items we've read in the past week:

• The Arc Angels (3/20) and Explosions In The Sky (3/21) will headline two of the always popular free showcases at Auditorium Shores during the festival.
• Paste cover boy and She and Him co-founder M. Ward will be back at SXSW this year to plug his new album Hold Time. No word yet on dates, but we'd guess he'll play the Merge showcase at the very least.
Continue reading "SXSW Music Updates: Rock Operas, Hold Times, and Day Shows"

Given that Amy Winehouse's "Rehab" has become resolutely unfunny over the past month (even before she canceled), the title of "band with that one hit song that everyone loves" at ACL has fallen squarely on the shoulders of Sweden's Peter, Bjorn, and John. The group have been plugging away at their charming blend of pop, rock, and indie since 1999, and are anything but an overnight sensation. Their breakthrough hit "Young Folks" is actually...

Opposite Day Safety First (Eat A Finger Peach Look Music): Austinites Opposite Day have been cranking out weirdo punk music for six years now, and Safety First is the band's third album, which makes them "official." Like most punk bands, the majority of songs last around two to three minutes. And while Opposite Day is definitely punk, the album's 17 tracks explore motley styles, ranging from hardcore to acoustic to experimental to Incubus-esque, all with...

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The larger back stage at Emo’s is not known for its ventilation, and during these long, hot Austin evenings it can be downright oppressive. There is a large fan, but based on its uselessness we’re convinced it’s simply a permanent art installment. So beware ye waifish indie-rock enthusiast, lest ye be embarrassed by passing out head over Sparks during an outside show! Even in the face of this redonkulous summer heat wave, last Saturday evening was made a little more bearable by our humble Scottish guests, Camera Obscura.

Post by Joshua Huck Glasgow sextet Camera Obscura is tippy-toeing into town this Saturday evening, bringing some much-needed elegance to Emo's rock-scarred halls. Understudies of Stuart Murdoch and Co. from Belle & Sebastian, their performance is sure to be the sleeper stunner of the live music year, with equal parts melancholy and beauty to be lapped up by appreciative fans. As we found out the hard way, their critically acclaimed new album Let's Get...

South By Southwest released another round of additions to the roster of bands scheduled to perform at this year's music festival (March 15th-19th), bringing the current total to nearly 1150. Notable bands recently added as of January 29th include Morrissey, Camera Obscura, Captain, Boy Hits Car, Billy Bragg, Bedtime for Toys, Division of Laura Lee, and SF's Hudson Bell. The full roster appears after the jump, or you check out much prettier versions at...