Passion Pit

Indie electronica outfit Passion Pit is the stage name for songwriter, keyboardist, and computer whiz Michael Angelakos, although other musicians tap in for shows and recording sessions. ∙ Angelakos formed Passion Pit when songs he wrote as a Valentine’s Day gift for his then-girlfriend (and later included on 2008’s Chunk of Change) earned buzz around Boston. ∙ The breakout single “Sleepyhead,” included on Chunk of Change and 2009’s Manners, has 10 million views and made Pitchfork’s Top 40 Music Videos of 2008 list. ∙ Thanks to the hit “Take a Walk,” Gossamer reached No. 4 on the Billboard 200, charted in 7 other countries, and was named one of Rolling Stone’s Best Albums of 2012. ∙ In 2013, Angelakos won the Beatrice Stern Media Award for launching The Wishart Group, which supports musicians’ mental health, and for his openness about living with bipolar disorder. ∙ His upbeat anthem “Lifted Up (1985),” written to thank Angelakos’ then-wife for her support, helped propel Kindred to No. 2 on Billboard’s Top Alternative Albums chart in 2015.