Lou Hayter

Lou Hayter is a London-based DJ, producer, and songwriter who has been meticulously crafting her own distinctive musical brand through DJing and production. Her critically acclaimed 2021 debut album, Private Sunshine, and forthcoming sophomore LP Unfamiliar Skin are testaments to her passion for R&B, disco, house, and synth-pop—all distilled into her signature production style.

Hayter has been a prominent figure at the intersection of London’s cutting-edge music, art, lifestyle, and fashion scenes since her early days behind the scenes at tastemaker record labels Output and Nuphonic. It was here that 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, Hayter is equally comfortable playing peak-time club sets, vinyl-only selector sessions, and open-air festivals. Her 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 soundtracker for events hosted by 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 first broke through as the keyboard player in the Mercury Prize-nominated band New Young Pony Club, touring the biggest festivals around the world. Simultaneously, she began making her own music under the guise of The New Sins.

In Paris, Lou formed the duo Tomorrow's World with Air’s Jean-Benoît Dunckel. Their 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 her 2021 debut album Private Sunshine to great critical acclaim, earning "Album of the Day" on 6 Music, "Annie Mac's Single of the Week" on Radio 1, and "Jo Whiley's Single of the Week" on Radio 2. Her singles “My Baby Just Cares For Me,” “Telephone,” and “Cherry On Top” are blissful earworms of glorious off-kilter pop music—timeless yet forward-thinking.

This success led Hayter to join Hot Chip in the studio on their 2022 album Freakout/Release, contributing 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 favored corners of her record collection. She has ventured into new territory as the sole producer, performer, and writer of this album—a personal challenge she set for herself. The result is slick, modern electro-soul, colorful electronics, and knowing nods to New York disco, proto-house, '80s R&B, boogie, and simmering, synth-laden slow jams. Personal, authentic, and mesmerizing, with Hayter’s thoughtful lyrics and distinctive vocals front and center, Unfamiliar Skin stands as her most impressive and authentic sonic statement to date.

www.louhayter.com