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Not having a gift for your significant other on Valentines Day usually leads to a lonesome night wallowing in boxes of suddenly caustic candy hearts, but for Michael Angelakos, it was the unexpected start of electro indie outfit Passion Pit. After turning up presentless on cupid's busiest day, the Cambridge native set out to repair the damage he'd done by recording a collection of songs dedicated to his girlfriend. The music proved more wooing than he'd imagined, not only soothing his relationship woes, but also winning over a solid fanbase of bloggers and music enthusiasts alike.

Now a fully formed band with an EP, Chunk Of Change, released on Frenchkiss Records, Passion Pit is set to cast their spell of handclaps and playful melodies on a West Coast tour. Before they do, Angelakos took some time to talk to ARTISTdirect about risking dire injury in cargo vans, poor dental habits and the decadence of chocolate chip cookies.

What have you been listening to lately?

Why?'s latest album is amazing. Been listening to Dirty Projectors, Evelyn Champagne King, M83 and Burial. That's as of late.

Where's your favorite place to chill?

There's this place called Deep Ellum. It's just down the street from our practice space, and they have a really great beer list and a patio. We're there a lot.

What's the most dramatic thing you ever did to save money as a starving musician?

Laying on top of gear in the backseat of a two-seat U-haul cargo van with two other sweaty, gross, cranky guys, because we couldn't afford to buy a van. I guess it wasn't that big of a deal, though. However, we stopped short at one point, and I guarantee that if we were going any faster, Ayad would have been severely injured/paralyzed based on the position he was in. In retrospect, not such a good idea.

Tell us one of your favorite song lyric?

Anything by Leonard Cohen. I know that's a bit of a cop-out, but there's no denying it.

What is your most cherished musical instrument or accessory?

Though my piano is at home in Buffalo (it's a Mason and Hamlin), there's nothing I love more than the action and feel of that piano. I wish I could take it everywhere. I grew up with it and know it inside out.

If you could change one thing about the music industry today what would it be?

Dissolve the barrier between industry and artist. No matter what though, it'll still always be like oil and vinegar.

What never goes out of style?

Things you didn't even know were ever in style in the first place.

What's the theme song to your life?

Grinding my teeth.

What movies, artists, authors or athletes inspire you the most?

Ingmar Bergman, Hemmingway, Tristan Tzara, Lennon/McCartney, Randy Newman, Rodgers and Hart, Nina Simone.

What's your favorite way to stay in shape?

Walk a lot, I guess.

What non-musician would you most like to meet?

Ricky Gervais

What's your biggest guilty pleasure?

Lu's Le Petit Ecolier Milk Chocolate cookies

MySpace or Facebook?

Facebook

—The ARTISTdirect Staff
09.15.08