I recently came across a new group that has really caught my attention recently. Passion Pit is a great indie rock band from out east specifically Cambridge, Massachusetts. They formed in 2007 and its members are: Michael Angelakos, Ian Hultquist, Xander Singh, Jeff Apruzzese , and Nate Donmoyer. All of the band members, save Angelakos, attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Michael attended Emerson College. Their name comes from a slang term for a drive in movie theater.

They aren’t new by any means, but new to me and probably most of mainstream music. They have had two studio releases and an LP. Their music has been featured in a number of television shows, movies, and even video games. The band’s début EP, Chunk of Change, released in 2008. The first four tracks were those that Angelakos had written  for his girlfriend. The  single  “Sleepyhead”, received some decent exposure, and the video for the song was included on Pitchfork’s Top 40 Music Videos of 2008 list. The song has samples of “Óró Mo Bháidín” by Irish singer Mary O’Hara. Two other songs from the EP also received some interest; “Cuddle Fuddle”  and “I’ve Got Your Number” were used in an advertisements and television in the UK.

Their first full-length studio album, Manners, was released on May 18, 2009, “The Reeling” was the first single to be released from the album and found success on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart in the fall of 2009, peaking at number 34. The album’s second single, “To Kingdom Come”, was used in the Rhapsody commercial for its iPhone app. “Little Secrets” was the third single to be released and had success on the chart as well, topping out at number 39. “Let Your Love Grow Tall” was never  a single but had some exposure by being used in the  TV series Ugly Betty. “Sleepyhead” was used in an episode of  Skins and more recently in the début trailer for LittleBigPlanet 2.  “Moth’s Wings” was used in Gossip Girl and in the closing credits of  HBO’s Big Love  as well other television shows and movies.

So all in all they have had some nice commercial success so far, but the song that really grabbed me was “Take a Walk”. It is the first track from Gossamer and was released in June of 2012, the second release is called “I’ll Be Alright”. The song has a great up-beat vibe, the lyrics are describing a man in unfortunate circumstances, but living and being diligent in spite of it-well at least that’s my interpretation. It has a great hook and I don’t feel like I would tire of it easily. After hearing this one it drew me to their full catalog which I described above. They have a great indie rock sound with a little electronica and feel just a little different from what is out there in music now. I urge you to check out Passion Pit if your ready to hear something really swell. 

(images and video courtesy of Passion Pit)

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• Passion Pit, No Longer a Little Secret, Sells Out Electric Factory (independentphilly.com)