Hype can be a cruel mistress. Sure, hype is often credited when young bands get noticed and signed. But hype also brings with it a host of undesirable friends, not the least of which are expectations. While many a career has been launched by hype, just as many careers have been crushed under its weight.

These factors were clearly present on Tuesday night when Passion Pit—a band less than two years old playing their first-ever show in the District—took the stage and played to a packed Black Cat (the show was originally scheduled for the back stage, but due to overwhelming demand, was moved to the main stage at the last minute). Passion Pit have risen to prominence thanks largely to influential music blogs, and it’s not hard to see why: they’ve got a sensational story, the likes of which makes for undeniable blog bait. Almost exactly two years ago, Michael Angelakos, then a student at Emerson College in Boston, recorded a handful of songs as a Valentine’s Day present for his girlfriend. Those six songs eventually made their way onto the Internet and due to an influx of positive feedback, Angelakos decided to recruit a band. Thus, Passion Pit was born.