Sonic Youth Slept On My Floor
Music, Manchester, and More: A Memoir
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Little, Brown Book Group
Published:25th Apr '19
£12.99
Available for immediate dispatch.

This memoir offers a vivid account of a life steeped in music and culture, capturing the essence of Manchester's vibrant scene in Sonic Youth Slept On My Floor.
In Sonic Youth Slept On My Floor, Dave Haslam offers a vibrant and insightful memoir that captures the essence of his life intertwined with the rich tapestry of contemporary culture. The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of the Hacienda, a legendary nightclub, and chronicles the rise of Madchester alongside the dawn of the rave era. Haslam's storytelling is both engaging and reflective, providing readers with an insider's perspective on a transformative period in music history.
From his teenage years as a devoted listener of John Peel and a fan of Joy Division, Haslam's journey takes him through the heart of Manchester's music scene. As the years pass, he evolves from an enthusiastic observer to a key player, ultimately collaborating with iconic bands like New Order. The memoir not only highlights his personal experiences but also paints a vivid picture of the cultural landscape of Manchester, including the profound impact of significant events such as the Yorkshire Ripper's terror and the Manchester Arena attack.
The memoir features a diverse cast of characters, including music legends like Tony Wilson, Morrissey, and Neneh Cherry, showcasing Haslam's unique encounters with them. His candid recounting of both joyous and harrowing moments—like sharing tea with Morrissey or facing danger at the Hacienda—ensures that Sonic Youth Slept On My Floor is far from a conventional memoir, making it a compelling read for anyone interested in the intersection of music and life.
The Hacienda DJ's beautifully judged account of the Manchester scene . . . There is something of the fairy tale about Dave Haslam's sage memoir of Manchester's cultural life during the 1980s and 1990s . . . Sonic Youth Slept on My Floor . . . is a joyful testament to the kind of life that nobody could ever plan, a happy aligning of a cultural moment and a young man who instinctively knew that it was his once upon a time -- Victoria Segal * Sunday Times *
A natural storyteller . . . insightful and gripping . . . a full and warm-hearted memoir * The Skinny *
Exhilarating . . . For fans of club culture, pop music, youthful exuberance and grown-up wisdom * Q magazine *
Resonant and thoughtful . . . Manchester - and British nightlife in general - is lucky to have Haslam as its archivist * The Quietus *
Vibrant * Irish Independent *
The easy-read essential of the summer * DJ magazine *
Wonderful -- Maria Balshaw * Observer *
Book of the year * Gilles Peterson *
So good . . . an incredible work * Black Madonna *
Terrific stuff . . . looking back, looking forward and looking at the here and now * Ian Rankin *
- Long-listed for Penderyn Music Book Prize 2019 (UK)
ISBN: 9781472127518
Dimensions: 198mm x 126mm x 26mm
Weight: 280g
352 pages