Passion Pit started merely as a guy, a computer and an impending Valentine's Day gift. You see, Michael Angelakos wrote the 'Chunk of Change' EP for his girlfriend as a belated V-Day gift, and later took his heartfelt collection to his friends and classmates at Emerson College. Add to that an interest from Frenchkiss records, a backing live band ...

Every year, hundreds of bands, industry folk and fans travel to New York City for the CMJ music festival -- a week-long sonic frenzy of shows and panels, held in various Big Apple venues. This year, three 3x3 alums will participate in the chaos, which begins October 21, and wraps on October 25. To celebrate, we've compiled live shows from the ...

Artist: Locksley Video: 'All Over Again' Highlight: Cardboard cut-outs of the Ohio-based band captivate audiences. Buy it on iTunes. Next Video ...

Artist: Stereolab Video: 'Neon Beanbag' Highlight: The sweet tune and vintage film-style video are sure-fire smile crackers. Buy it on iTunes. Next Video ...

Artist: Noah and the Whale Video: '5 Years Time (Sun Sun Sun)' Highlight: The sweet tune and vintage film-style video are sure-fire smile crackers. Buy it on iTunes. Next Video ...

Artist: Kings of Leon Video: 'Sex on Fire' Highlight: Dark, dingy, sweaty. Nothing says 'sex on fire' quite like that. Buy it on iTunes. Next Video ...

The current exchange rate is the pits, man. To that end, three UK acts were kind enough to supply us with a trio of tracks to satisfy burning ears. It sure beats losing cash on Across the Pond travel. We've got Goldfrapp in all of Alison's mesmeric glory, the Chap and their quirky style at State 51 in London, and Switches rock the House of Blues ...