The electronic spectra of the C2nH(D)(-), n=2-4, anions have been observed in the gas phase using photodetachment spectroscopy. These are assigned to (1)Pi<--X (1)Sigma(+) electronic transitions. The (1)Pi excited states possess a dipole bound character indicated by the energetic proximity between the origin of the transitions and electron affinities. The dipole bound states are related to the X (2)Pi ground states of C6H and C8H whereas for C4H, which has an X (2)Sigma(+) ground state, the (2)Pi is an excited state. Vibronic coupling through a bending motion of the carbon skeleton is inferred to be the reason of the stabilization of this state.