indiepop

Crayon was an indiepop band from Washington state featuring Brad Roberts (guitar/vocals), Sean Tollefson (bass/vocals) and Jeff Fell (drums). Crayon formed in 1990 in Bellingham, Washington, which is about 90 miles north of Seattle. A bit more punk than twee, Crayon were obviously influenced by bands like Beat Happening and The Modern Lovers. They sounded something like a mini-Nirvana minus the anger. They were cute, but they weren’t cutesy.

Le Futur Pompiste, which released one marvelous album in 2004, Your Stories and Your Thoughts, before the vagaries of adult life scattered them far and wide; and Cats On Fire, whose debut long-player, 2007's The Province Complains, captivated all who were lucky enough to hear it (among them the writers at superlative U.K. magazine The Word). It was inevitable that this pair of bands, whose music shares a poise and sophistication rarely heard anywhere, never mind within the modest environs of Finland, would find each other.

noise 'n' confusion are a indie band from Gijón, Spain

Helen Love are an indie band from wales whose music is a combination of punk rock and disco dance music. They were formed by the eponymous Helen Love who claims only to listen to the music of the Ramones, from which she draws inspiration for the band's music. Their music has been covered by the likes of Ash and Tullycraft. Current members are Helen, Sheena and Beth. Past members: Gary Strickland (guitar, 1997).

Read more about Helen Love on Last.fm.