YOU'RE LOUISE FROM SLEEPER, AREN'T YOU?
Words: Jennifer Stringer
Photos: Ray Burmiston

What's it like to be the only girl in your band? And doesn't it cause a spot of friction when you're ex-boyf is also a band member? We ask MRS SLEEPER for a few questions…

You seem to have been away for yonks! What have you and the Mr Sleepers been up to since your last alb?
We did a tour at the end of the last year and when we came back I started writing our new album. I wrote all the songs apart from one with is Andy's [Sleeper's drummer and Lou's boyf]. I sit and write the songs with my guitar and then Andy and I put music to it. Sometimes I get writer's block and I think, "Oh my God, I'm never gonna write another song again!'

Does it cause tension that one Mr Sleeper is an ex and the other is a current boyf?
Not any more. I broke up with John [sic] over three years ago and I've been with Andy for two years, so it's fine. John's [sic] now going out with a girl from LA and we're all really good mates. John [sic] and I talk about andy and he talks about his girlfriend - it's great!

Your latest single is called She's a Good Girl. so, are you a good girl, Louise?
Hmmm. I don't really know what a good girl is supposed to be! The song's about the way everyone wants to put you into packages and give you a label - they may see someone and say, 'Oh, she's a good girl', when really they don't know what or who she is! It's about having the courage to stand up for yourself.

Have you ever suffered from stage fright?
Yes, not badly though. It's funny cos when we played Wembley at the TOTP Weekend and other big gigs I wasn't nervous, it's often something small that starts me off. I'll be doing a little gig and suddenly I worry I'm going to forget everything. Usually when I forget words nobody notices anyway!

Would you have preferred to be in an all-girl band?
No I wouldn't because you get scrutinized enough when there's just one woman in a band - a band full of women must be worse. Women in bands aren't treated like musicians. People want you to be a model or a character - they analyse the way you dress and the way you look. You can't just be a person in a band. It really annoys me.

Do you talk about work with Andy when you get home at night ?
Yes, cos we're constantly involved in being in a band. I'd find it hard if I was with someone who wasn't in the music business because there's so much that annoys you in the day that you need to go home and rant about. Because we both do the same job, we understand what it's like.

What do you spend your pots of pop star dosh on ?
Clothes, make-up and, if I'm really fed-up, I'll go off and treat myself to a holiday. I love second-hand clothes shops too. I don't feel guilty spending a lot on clothes and stuff cos I don't have a flat or a car taking up my money. I'd love to have my own place to do up and I don't ever have the time to find anywhere!

Do you ever wear sunglasses to stop fans recognising you?
Well, I have to admit I have worn sunglasses and scraped my hair back so I won't be recognised. It's weird when I'm stopped by a fan though because they come over and say, 'You're Louise from Sleeper, aren't you' and I say, 'Yes' and then they don't know what to say. And it's always when I'm doing something like buying cat litter in the supermarket.

When will you retire from being a pop star?
God knows! When I stop enjoying it, I suppose. When I retire I'd like to write a book or a novel. I'm enjoying this life too much at the moment though. I want to write the next album in New York - Andy and I are going to live there for six months. I love New York - it's just like being in a movie!