The Covet + Lou Questionnaire: Passion Pit's Michael Angelakos and Kristy Mucci
Where are you right now?
Kristy: Home.
Michael: Home. I know, it's crazy. I barely believe it either.
What inspires you?
K: So many things. A good meal, a good book, a stunning piece of produce, things I see when I'm wandering and exploring cities.
M: Very small moments, like a particular melodic phrasing, the composition of a shot in a film, or even the way someone simply responds to something I show them, be it my work or someone else's. I love watching people's reactions and I believe it's become an integral part of my entire creative process.
Your idea of happiness?
K: Having a fireplace, a vegetable garden, and our closest friends over all the time.
M: Sitting at home, drinking tea or coffee, reading and listening to records with my wife, Kristy. A close second would be being in the studio with friends
Of misery?
K: Being stuck in a place with mediocre food and no one fun to talk to.
M: The inability to perform or create in any capacity, specifically going deaf or being permanently injured. I don't know what I'd do.
What is your most creative time of day?
K: I'm best when the sun's out.
M: It depends. It's usually right when I wake up, when in the shower, or, most often, right before I go to bed. Sometimes it's even when I wake up randomly in the middle of the night. But, honestly, most often it's when I'm trying to fall asleep, when I'd like to not be creative and just, you know, get some sleep.
What is your greatest extravagance?
K: I think pretty much everything is an extravagance. Beautiful produce from the greenmarket, a good book, and a cup of tea in the afternoon feel just as luxurious covetable to me as a fancy new bag.
M: Pretty normal extravagances, actually: clothes, food, and musical equipment. I'm terrible with money and I like nice things. Not a good combination but most certainly not an uncommon one, not to make excuses or anything.
What fault in others do you tend to tolerate most?
K: Tardiness.
M: Passive-aggressiveness or backhanded complimenting, both widespread issues in most any industry, but particularly in art/entertainment. The internet's only made it worse.
Three things you could not live without?
K: Farmers, books, and travel.
M: My sound system (it has multiple pieces, but I'm going to cheat and lump them into a singular entity here), my piano, and my teddy bear. That bear's been my homie for way too many years.
New York or L.A.?
K: New York. There's no competition.
M: New York. Not even going to get into this one.
When is honesty not the best policy?
K: When it will unnecessarily hurt someone's feelings.
M: For the most part, being honest is just a hell of a lot less painful and confusing than lying.
Fight back or compromise?
K: Compromise. I'm working on fighting back a little more.
M: Both—and in that order, too.
Have you ever been arrested?
K: Never!
M: Nope.
If not yourself, who would you be?
K: One of those lucky Americans who got to live in Paris in the 20's.
M: A Bhikku, but would try to avoid the self-immolation, protesting, etc. Essentially, I'd like to be a completely benign Bhikku...
If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would it be?
K: Particular.
M: Erratic
What do you most dislike about contemporary culture?
K: Reality TV and the "stars" that come from it.
M: I dislike many things, but one dislike that I think is notable enough to answer with is the way our media consumption has led to the decline of print media. The decline of print media has since lead to a confusion over what is news and what is tabloid fodder. We've come to accept this, but I believe we're in a bit of a transition. We're adjusting, but that's not without the inevitable growing pains. I remain disgruntled but generally optimistic.
In your time away from work, what do you do?
K: Cook, read, wander the greenmarket and my favorite bookstores, treat myself to a nice meal (I love a leisurely lunch, alone or with friends), and surround myself with good company.
M: Sleep.
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