01Profile
A Sleeper Photo
Sleeper
Musician — Brighton
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Louise Wener, Brighton.
Describe your style in three words?
Imposter syndrome chic.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
David Bowie at Milton Keynes Bowl, 1983. It was a baking hot day in July. I was with a crowd of mates. I was in love with Bowie and his music. He was immense.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, so we could finally decide who’s best.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
Punk, for it’s DIY “anyone can do this” ethic. New Romantic, for the eyeliner and frills.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
An hour’s not very long - ideally, you’d need someone who was a great raconteur and had big, dirty stories to tell. I’m going for old Hollywood: David Niven or Elizabeth Taylor.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
CBGB’S in New York. It was a stink-hole. But its history gives it grandeur – Blondie, The Ramones, Talking Heads… It was a buzz to play there.
Sleeper enjoyed huge critical and commercial success during the mid-'90s in the Britpop scene. Louise Wener was an iconic front-person, heading up a movement that brought women centre stage in guitar music.
They had 8 top 40 singles, 3 top 10 albums and their cover of Blondie's 'Atomic' was used on the era-defining soundtrack for Trainspotting before the band split in 1998.
On 22nd March 2019, Sleeper will release their first album in 21 years, 'The Modern Age' before heading out on UK tour this Spring.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Heart Of Glass' by Blondie. The voice, the look, the attitude. She was the coolest woman, I’d ever seen. Still is.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'The Power Of Love' by Frankie Goes To Hollywood. I used to listen to it over and over in the dark and feel deep.
One record you would keep forever?
'Thunder Road' by Bruce Springsteen. The most romantic song (in the grandest sense) I can think of.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
“A hundred lonely housewives clutch empty milk bottle to their hearts, hanging out their old love letters, on the line to dry…”
'A Town Called Malice' by The Jam.
The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'Cannonball' by The Breeders. But it’s impossible to dance to. I’ll be all like, OH My GOD I love this song, then – oh, I have no idea what to do with my arms.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Celebrity Skin' by Hole.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Try' by Pink. Super slick, and pop and contrived and yet… Have you seen her perform this hanging from a Trapeze at the Grammys? I’d like to see one of the Stokes do that.
Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'Once in a Lifetime' by Talking Heads.
Any new bands you are listening to right now?
'Calliope' by Future Islands.
'Human Performance' by Parquet Courts.
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Louise Wener, Brighton.
Describe your style in three words?
Imposter syndrome chic.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
David Bowie at Milton Keynes Bowl, 1983. It was a baking hot day in July. I was with a crowd of mates. I was in love with Bowie and his music. He was immense.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, so we could finally decide who’s best.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
Punk, for it’s DIY “anyone can do this” ethic. New Romantic, for the eyeliner and frills.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
An hour’s not very long - ideally, you’d need someone who was a great raconteur and had big, dirty stories to tell. I’m going for old Hollywood: David Niven or Elizabeth Taylor.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
CBGB’S in New York. It was a stink-hole. But its history gives it grandeur – Blondie, The Ramones, Talking Heads… It was a buzz to play there.
Sleeper enjoyed huge critical and commercial success during the mid-'90s in the Britpop scene. Louise Wener was an iconic front-person, heading up a movement that brought women centre stage in guitar music.
They had 8 top 40 singles, 3 top 10 albums and their cover of Blondie's 'Atomic' was used on the era-defining soundtrack for Trainspotting before the band split in 1998.
On 22nd March 2019, Sleeper will release their first album in 21 years, 'The Modern Age' before heading out on UK tour this Spring.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Heart Of Glass' by Blondie. The voice, the look, the attitude. She was the coolest woman, I’d ever seen. Still is.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'The Power Of Love' by Frankie Goes To Hollywood. I used to listen to it over and over in the dark and feel deep.
One record you would keep forever?
'Thunder Road' by Bruce Springsteen. The most romantic song (in the grandest sense) I can think of.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
“A hundred lonely housewives clutch empty milk bottle to their hearts, hanging out their old love letters, on the line to dry…”
'A Town Called Malice' by The Jam.
The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'Cannonball' by The Breeders. But it’s impossible to dance to. I’ll be all like, OH My GOD I love this song, then – oh, I have no idea what to do with my arms.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Celebrity Skin' by Hole.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Try' by Pink. Super slick, and pop and contrived and yet… Have you seen her perform this hanging from a Trapeze at the Grammys? I’d like to see one of the Stokes do that.
Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'Once in a Lifetime' by Talking Heads.
Any new bands you are listening to right now?
'Calliope' by Future Islands.
'Human Performance' by Parquet Courts.
Sleeper | Look At You Now (2019)
Sleeper | Inbetweener (1995)
Sleeper | Sale Of The Century (1996)
Sleeper | Atomic (1996)