On the cover of Camera Obscura’s 2024 album “Look to the East, Look to the West,” a woman sits thoughtfully on a rocky shore. This woman, who also graced the cover of the Scottish band’s 2001 debut album, symbolizes the band’s journey and resilience. The album, released last month, reflects a period of introspection and renewal for the band.
“I wrote [the title track] during the pandemic, pondering not just the global situation but also my personal direction and the band’s future,” singer Tracyanne Campbell shared during a recent Zoom call from the band’s tour bus. “It’s a song about trying to stay optimistic and being mindful of life’s choices.”
For nearly two decades, Camera Obscura charmed fans with their unique blend of Glaswegian indie pop and Americana. However, their journey was abruptly halted in 2015 by the tragic death of keyboardist Carey Lander from bone cancer. The band went silent for years.
During this hiatus, Campbell had a child and collaborated with English singer-songwriter Danny Coughlan on an album under the name Tracyanne & Danny. In 2019, she was invited by Belle & Sebastian to join them on a nostalgic concert cruise and perform some of Camera Obscura’s songs.
“I initially refused, saying, ‘This is Tracyanne & Danny,’” Campbell recalled. “‘If you want the band, you can ask them to play.’ Up until then, people had been sensitive to our loss of [Lander]. It never occurred to me that we would play shows again.”
However, preparing for the 2019 reunion at the Boaty Weekender reignited Campbell’s creative spark. The band welcomed new keyboardist Donna Maciocia and began making music again. The lyrics flowed naturally.
“The band had a new lease on life. There was something very fresh about what was happening,” Campbell said. “Reuniting in a room after such a long time, especially after what happened, provoked a lot of emotions.”
After a pandemic-induced delay, the resulting album, “Look to the East, Look to the West,” was produced by Jari Haapalainen, a two-time collaborator. The album features the band’s signature quippy lyricism, catchy melodies, and subtle twang, now enhanced by Campbell’s husband Tim Davidson’s pedal steel guitar. It’s a more intimate album, showcasing the band’s current musical talents without the elaborate string arrangements of their past work.
“We weren’t interested in coming back and playing a greatest hits set,” Campbell said. “If we didn’t have something new to say, there would be no point.”
Camera Obscura’s reunion and the release of their first album in 11 years have indeed given the band a new lease on life. Their journey, marked by resilience and renewal, continues to inspire both the band and their fans.
