Starting in the early '90s, the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion tore through the American indie scene with a careening, caustic strain of high-energy rock'n'roll, fusing garage-band revivalism, noise-punk and raw blues.

In the immediate wake of the Sex Pistols' dramatic 1978 breakup, John Lydon shed his "Rotten" persona and emerged with Public Image Ltd, a new outfit whose dark, strange sound defined the new direction the UK music scene would soon pursue.

On the strength of their low-fi garage pop sound, the Australian four-piece has generated considerable buzz surrounding their upcoming debut album.

London's the xx established themselves with a stunning self-titled debut in 2009, welding sleekly contemporary indie dream-pop and hushed post-punk, with inflections of dance music and R&B.

Now with as many albums in the 2000s as they recorded in the 80s, the Massachusetts alt-rock band proves with each new release that the sequel can be better than the original.

Stockholm-based trio Niki and the Dove balances imaginative and playful songwriting sure to find favor among indie fans alongside beats and hooks so massive that it's not hard to imagine the band landing themselves on the pop charts.

Tuscon, Ariz. band Calexico has made a career out of warping genres and musical traditions together into an eclectic, clever, and wholly original sonic stew.

Caravan Du Nord hit the road again to Fergus Falls with host Bill DeVille and Tapes 'N Tapes, Zoo Animal and local opener Satin Strides providing the musical entertainment.

The hype surrounding Night Moves' debut landed them on the roster of esteemed UK indie label Domino Records. Now, the band returns with a revamped and re-recorded take on the album.

While in town for a Wednesday show at the Varsity Theater, Beth Orton stopped by The Current studios to perform a few songs and chat with Steve Seel about songwriting with kids, the inspiration behind her new songs and working with producer Tucker Martine.