The Dirt:
A hipster, an activist and a Dalton alumnus enter a Hell’s Kitchen bar, each the king of his own world, but when Passion Pit starts blaring, all of a sudden they are just New Yorkers. This is the kind of subtle but significant impact a new inspiring band like Passion Pit can make. The minute we heard the Manners album, (thanks Newbury Comics!), we knew it was a winner. We now expect the same kind of hitmaking from Passion Pit we came to expect from many of-the-now bands, including The Killers, VHS or Beta, Sia and La Roux.

The new alt pop genre, to which Passion Pit belongs, is an irresistible seemingly-familiar blend of the 1980s post-punk pop, the 1990s post-metal alternative rock, and the new millennium’s post-electronica synthetic sound. A curated collection of sounds, the blend results in a rock-style dance beat that melts away self-consciousness and offers an uninhibited vibe.

The 2009 release from FrenchKiss and Columbia Records is known for the singles, Little Secrets and Let Your Love Grow Tall, but this is not a two-hit wonder album. We also love the romantic vibe of Eyes As Candles, and the bubbly, dance-inspiring track dubbed Sleepyhead.We think this album is a great addition to the road trip CD book or the outdoor party mix. Shake it up and give this group a shot at entry to the coveted favorites playlist.

Where:
To learn more about Passion Pit, visit the Passion Pit website or visit the Passion Pit MySpace page.

Spotted: Hell’s Kitchen, NYC

Name: Katumba (Means “Warrior of the Mind” loosely translated in Swahili)

Age: 29

Hometown: Denver, Colorado

Current ‘hood: Williamsburg, Brooklyn

First language: English

Other languages: Japanese, Spanish

Job: Bartender, producer–music and scores

Ethnicity: Part Cherokee, African, European and Indian.

Religion: None.

Favorite Nut: Pistachio and cashew

On your iPod now: The Wailers, Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk

Favorite Movie: The Matrix

Dream Job: Full-time Producer

Wishlist: To get my music out there.