Word of mouth carried a rock band created in Los Angeles all the way to Korea. Cravin, formed by four second-generation Korean Americans, will perform in a club called Soundholic in the trendy Hongdae area of Seoul on July 5. The band was invited by a concert planner who stumbled on a video clip online.

Indie band Cravin. From left, vocalist Yt, bassist Ryan, drummer Jaesung, and guitarist Jay /Courtesy of Cravin

Cravin was formed in 2004 by friends who graduated from the Musician's Institute in Hollywood. They had no record label or concert planner. "Each member chipped in and we made our first album. We did everything by ourselves from playing and recording to making and distribution," says guitarist Jay Park (27). The album, titled "Ketchup," is a collection of seven somewhat unpolished yet melodious modern rock songs. Just as ketchup does not come out of clothes easily, so the band sings about things that linger in the memory.

The album was released in LA and Korea in November last year, and sold some 3,000 copies in Korea alone -- a rare success for an indie band. "We didn't know things would get this big. With this concert as a stepping stone, we plan to be active in Korea and make a lasting impression on music fans here," Park says.