Passion Pit

From Boston, today's band: Passion Pit



Band Members: Michael Angelakos (lead vocals/keyboards/songwriter), Ian Hultquist (keyboards), Ayad Al Adhamy (synthesizer/samples), Jeff Apruzzese (bass), Nate Donmoyer (drums).


Our Recommendations: If you've never heard of Passion Pit before, we recommend "Sleepyhead" and "Moth's Wings". Get them FREE here!


Who they are: Passion Pit has one of the most touching stories of how a band started. In 2008, Michael Angelakos decided to give his then-girlfriend an album he made as a belated Valentine's present. She loved it, and so they decided to pass it around Emerson College (Michalel's college). It became a big hit and after a few live shows, they were named the Best New Act in The Boston Phoenix Best Music poll. And soon after that, they were signed to Frenchkiss Records and Columbia.

Starting off as just a one-man band, Passion Pit has turned into a 5-piece and they have been touring America, UK, and the rest of Europe. Since then, they have been getting "Best New Band" awards from left to right, and their hit-song "Sleepyhead" has been (and still is being) played all over the world.

They are even more fantastic live, and they have proved this by doing an amazing job opening for Death Cab For Cutie, Girl Talk, and These New Puritans.


Why we love them: It's hard not to love these guys. Their electro-pop makes you feel cheery and makes you want to dance. Even John Mayer (via his blog) has said that the song "Moth's Wings" from their latest album is one of the best songs he's heard in a long time and it sounds like "the hope [he has] for the Summer ahead." We completely agree, and we are definitely putting Passion Pit as one of the bands to see at this upcoming Austin City Limits Festival.


Albums/EPs:

• Chunk of Change EP (2008) - originally recorded just for Angelakos' girlfriend, launched Passion Pit into popularity.
• Manners (2009) - Their first full album that came out earlier this month (May 2009) and has already been getting positive critique.

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