Lou Hayter is a London-based DJ, producer and songwriter who has been carefully crafting her own distinctive musical brand through her DJing and productions. Her critically acclaimed 2021 debut album, Private Sunshine, and forthcoming sophomore LP Unfamiliar Skin are testament to her passions for R&B, disco, house and synth-pop, all of which she distils into her signature production style.
Hayter has been a prominent face at the intersection of London’s cutting-edge music, art, lifestyle and fashion world since starting out behind the scenes at tastemaker record labels Output and Nuphonic. Here, she expanded her musical knowledge, having begun DJing at the age of 19 and playing at the most exciting underground clubs and parties in London.
As a DJ she is as comfortable playing peak-time club sets, vinyl-only selector sessions and open-air festivals, these curated DJ performances frequently touch on everything from disco, boogie, funk, rare groove and off-kilter pop to deep Detroit house, future R&B and intergalactic techno. Her deep, expert knowledge of music has made her a regular soundtracking events for the likes of Chanel, Miu Miu, Paul Smith and Alexander McQueen and a fixture in DJ booths from Ministry Of Sound, to Pikes Ibiza to Drumsheds.
Hayter broke through as keyboard player in Mercury Prize-nominated band New Young Pony Club, touring the biggest festivals around the world, and at the same time she began making her own music under the guise The New Sins.
In Paris, Lou formed the duo Tomorrow's World with Air’s Jean-Benoit Dunckel, who’s 2013 debut album offered a typically stylish, atmospheric and timeless take on electronica. This paved the way for Hayter to strike out on her own with 2021 debut album Private Sunshine to great critical acclaim, earning "Album of the Day" on 6 Music, "Annie Mac single of the week" on Radio 1 and "Jo Whiley single of the week" on Radio 2 alike. Her singles ‘My Baby Just Cares For Me’, 'Telephone' and ‘Cherry On Top’ are blissful earworms of glorious off-kilter pop music, timeless but forward-thinking at once.
This also led Hayter to join Hot Chip in the studio on their 2022 album Freakout/Release, adding lead and backing vocals and joining their live shows.
Having recently signed to the Greco-Roman imprint, her new album Unfamiliar Skin offers a subtle evolution of Hayter’s trademark sound inspired by some of the more favoured corners of her record collection. She has stepped into new territory as sole producer, performer and writer of this album, a personal statement and challenge that she set herself. The result is slick, modern electro soul, colourful electronics and knowing nods to New York disco, proto-house, ‘80s R&B, boogie, and simmering, synth-laden slow jams. Personal, authentic and mesmerising, with Hayter’s thoughtful lyrics and distinctive vocals front and centre, it’s her most impressive and authentic sonic statement to date.
