Spotlight Tuesday: Passion Pit

If you haven't heard of Passion Pit (no one I've talked to about them has), then you might be surprised to know that their second full-length studio release Gossamer debuted at No. 4 in the U.S. this past week--yeah, pretty high for a low-profile name. Why are they not well-known? Passion Pit is an Indie group but seems to be picking up steam.

The group started in Massachusetts when frontman and keyboardist Michael Angelakos wrote a series of songs as a Valentine's Day gift for his then-girlfriend. Keyboardist and guitarist Ian Hultquist saw Angelakos first live show (which he performed backed by only his laptop in a school basement for an audience of about 15 friends) and approached him with an interest to collaborate. So birthed Passion Pit, whose name is derived from a term used for "drive-in theatres because of its privacy and romantic allure to teenagers."

Michael Angelakos

The group released their first EP Chunk of Change, which eventually landed them a record deal with Frenchkiss, resulting in the release of their full-length Manners (which reached No. 51 in the U.S.). The album received lots of promotion with tracks being featured on television shows (as Ugly Betty, Big Love, Gossip Girl, and So You Think You Can Dance), the film Life As We Know It, and commercials. Their latest album is the previously mentioned Gossamer, whose lead single, "Take A Walk," reached No. 104 on the U.S. Hot 100.

Their music pulls influences from places as electro pop and alternative dance, but I would sum up their sound as indietronica rock. They are heavily electronic with definite inputs from indie and rock. Their songs are very upbeat (sometimes breezy) and easy to listen to, with generally optimistic, happy-love lyrics.

Would I recommend them? If you're into indie music, especially that delves into electro-genres, you should check them out. They will probably be a great find for you. Passion Pit also has a large hipster following. While they don't have hook-driven product (hence their indie-ness and obscurity), they are a calm ambient with a tempo of momentum.