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Passion Pit: WXPN's June 2009 Artist to Watch

Listening to Boston's Passion Pit is a lot like going out dancing. It's easy to get caught up in the music and lose yourself. But the group has more to offer than simply catchy hooks. Their brand of shiny electro-pop combines bright, danceable aesthetics with emotionally-charged lyrics that makes Passion Pit an irresistible treat.

The band first attracted fans after the release of 2008's Chunk of Change EP. Originally recorded by vocalist and keyboardist Michael Angelakos as a Valentine's Day present for his girlfriend, the six-song record took off at Emerson college (where Angelakos was attending) and became a hit. With the help of the track "Sleepyhead", the release picked up steam, garnering attention from outlets like MTV and BBC. The exposure paid off, helping the group earn a record contract with Frenchkiss Records in the U.S. and Columbia UK overseas.

The result is Manners, Passion Pit's upbeat and highly danceable new release. Angelakos' impressive falsetto shines through the sparkling and eclectic rhythms provided by keyboardist Ian Hultquist, bassist Jeff Apruzzese, drummer Nate Donmoyer and synth/samplist Ayad Al Adhamy.

Passion Pit has been making waves within the music community, opening for bands like Death Cab for Cutie. They are keeping busy through the rest of the year, with a packed slate of shows that will take them across the country and overseas, no doubt creating excitement and plenty of fun along the way.

Website: passionpitmusic.com
MySpace: myspace.com/passionpitjams
Origin: Cambridge, MA
Recent Release:
Manners
Release Date: May 19, 2009
Label: Frenchkiss (US) & Columbia UK (UK)