Passion Pit burst onto the electro-pop scene in 2008 with the release of their EP, "Chunk of Change." Originally passed from friend to friend, this dreamy and danceable record included their soon-to-be incredibly popular single, "Sleepyhead," penned by Michael Angelakos (vocals/keyboard) and performed by the band's current lineup of Ian Hultquist (guitar/keyboard), Ayad Al Adhamy (keyboard/samples), Jeff Apruzzese (bass) and Nate Donmoyer (drums). Cementing its thick, synthesized vibe in its full-length release, "Manners" (2009), gave the band a chance to tour internationally.
Now back in Boston, Donmoyer gave the Daily's music reporter, Cynthia Brunelle, a minute of his time to talk about where Passion Pit has been and what Tufts can expect from the Oct. 26 concert.
Cynthia Brunelle: I've seen from your tour schedule that you've been [to] some pretty incredible places. Do you have a favorite tour stop or performance?
Nate Donmoyer: For me, Dublin last March was one of the highlights. That was insane — I mean, the crowd was so much fun. And [as] far as really nice places — and I mean really pretty — Montreux, Switzerland. The massive Swiss Alps just drop into this crystal clear blue lake, and it's really gorgeous.
CB: How long has it been since Passion Pit performed in Boston?
ND: We did something at the beginning of the summer, a free show at [downtown club] Royale. It was okay, but because it was a corporate event, we didn't get to bring our full set-up with our lights and everything, so it wasn't the full-on concert that we love to do. And before that — well, I feel like it's been almost nine months since we've done a full show in Boston.
CB: As for your college years, when was it that you first got involved with Passion Pit?
ND: I was friends and in a different band with Jeff. Then Passion Pit needed a new bass player and a new drummer. I was the last one to join the band in August of 2008. Actually, oh-eight-oh-eight was our first show as this current lineup.
CB: What do you think is your contribution to Passion Pit's sound? As a drummer, can you compare "Chunk of Change" (2008) to "Manners" (2009) in the shift from using mostly "electro-drums" to actual drums?
ND: I guess the most literal, obvious difference is my addition [of] the "real drums." [laughs] But I also do a lot of programming and synth, designing the background stuff. Mike writes all the songs — I'll help with the arrangement, too — and the electro-drums on "Manners," I did that too.
CB: So you're involved in the computer software programming aspect?
ND: It's kinda my obsession.
CB: Did you always have that obsession?
ND: Probably longer than I've been playing drums. I've just always loved dance music, electronic music — I don't know, it's always sounded more attractive to me. I love rock and hip-hop or whatever, but for some reason, dance music, I don't know, it just … does it for me.
CB: Do you remember any of your favorite dance songs from high school?
ND: High school? Oh man. I was really into jungle — drum and bass — and my group of friends, we would go up to D.C. — I'm from Maryland — to hear the drum and bass raves. There's this Cleveland Lounge song called "Drowning" (2000). That just takes me back to when I first got into that stuff. But I don't know how popular that is now. … It's definitely from late 2000. And it definitely sounds like it too.
CB: Speaking of favorite songs, is there a band that you're listening to right now that gives you a lot of inspiration?
ND: Ramadanman man. He's doing a lot of really cool stuff. And another guy called Untold; he's from the UK. Also, there's a lot from Boston. There's this band called Gentlemen Hall — I just heard their new album and it's really, really well done. … Then there's Plus Move, there's Dirty Dishes, Mystery Roar…
CB: So much inspiration! Are you one of those people who always had headphones on as you're walking around?
ND: I used to be, and then I got tired of it, just hearing music all the time … I actually get really paranoid when I'm in the city, not getting out of the way of a bicycle or car or something. But I've been trying to do better about that.
CB: As for biggest question for all of us fans, what's going to happen when the tour ends in December?
ND: Well, we're finishing up in Hawaii, doing a New Year's show, and that's it. We're going right back in the studio. Well, actually, we're going take a couple of weeks off to relax and then right back in the studio to work on the next record, which we're really, really excited to do. We're going to try to make the best record we possibly can make.
CB: That's a pretty big goal.
ND: Well, it could be our last, you never know.
CB: Do you have any concepts for the album, any idea of where it's going to be headed?
ND: Nothing less vague than — well, we want it to be really gorgeous. More songs like "Moth's Wings" and "Swimming in the Flood" [both from "Manners"]. I don't know. It's too early to tell. We're going to make as much material as we can and then mix from there.
CB: Have you visited Tufts before?
ND: I've definitely walked through the campus — I had some friends who went there. It's all Boston and everyone knows everyone at different schools. It's nice.
CB: As for the show, can you describe your general theme in one or two words?
ND: I guess … euphoric dance explosion. I don't know, it's really fun — recently, we've finally gotten our live show where we want it. With all the lights and everything, we make it more of a show and less a concert. Hopefully everyone likes it and dances and leaves with a smile on their faces. That's our goal.
