Michael Angelakos is an American musician and songwriter, best known as the frontman of the indietronica band Passion Pit.

Dead Grass was the name of his first band, created when he was seven years old. Growing up, he experimented with different types of musical endeavors, including the Cherry Bing band, a local success from Buffalo, New York. Angelakos attended Nichols School and later Emerson College, where he became increasingly proficient in songwriting and put his thoughts-to-sound musical abilities at the forefront. The first Passion Pit songs emerged from these years—Angelakos would pass around self-produced copies of the first four tracks from what would later become Chunk of Change EP, which were written by Angelakos as a Valentines' Day gift to his girlfriend at the time. He also composed several scores for school film majors.

Passion Pit signed to Columbia Records in late 2008. After the sophomore record came around, it became increasingly difficult for Angelakos to endure his bipolar disorder—he was diagnosed at the age of seventeen. He made headlines when multiple occasions of canceled tour dates took place in the span of 2 years in order for him to recuperate his mental health. He later came out as gay in 2015, following his divorce from stylist Kristy Mucci.

Anelakos is associated with acts and producers ranging from Matt & Kim, Benny Blanco, and Skrillex.

I think Passion Pit’s always been considered this project that is kind of melodramatic and deals with these very heavy issues with really happy music. So there’s a juxtaposition.
Interview with NPR