Bowling Green, Ky. rockers Sleeper Agent have emerged as a band to watch in 2011, releasing their debut album Celabrasion this past year. They’ve managed to remain grounded, despite their newfound success. The night before they took the stage on New Year’s Eve, the group hung out in their hotel room with some fans who traveled from Washington specifically to see Sleeper Agent play in Chicago, Ill. at the Aragon Ballroom.
The next day, the group wandered around the Chicago neighborhood near their hotel, purchasing vintage clothes for their show at a local thrift store. Band members Tony Smith and Alex Kandel mentioned that because they all spend so much time on the road together, they’re more independent when there’s down time on tour. That’s a balance that was evident through spending time with them—something that seemed to pay off. Both on and off the stage, Sleeper Agent’s collective dynamic is undeniable and something definitely worth experiencing.
Check out Allison Ziemba’s photos from her two days spent with Sleeper Agent on Dec. 30-31 in the gallery below.
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Alex Kandel, Tony Smith, and Scott Gardner from Sleeper Agent hang out on the couch at their hotel room after some fans stopped by with a Chicago-style deep dish pizza for the band. The fans traveled from Washington to see them perform the next night.
Allison Ziemba
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Lee Williams picks out a shirt at a thrift store near Sleeper Agent's hotel in the city on New Year's Eve day.
Allison Ziemba
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Justin Wilson tries on a hat at a thrift store near Sleeper Agent's hotel in the city on new year's eve day.
Allison Ziemba
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Alex Kandel laughs as Tony Smith tries on a hunting hat at a thrift store near their hotel in the city on New Year's Eve day.
Allison Ziemba
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Scott Gardner shows off a bow barrette as Justin Wilson looks on at a thrift store near their hotel in the city on New Year's Eve day.
Allison Ziemba
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Alex Kandel applies her lipstick in Sleeper Agent's dressing room at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago before she takes the stage with Sleeper Agent. They were the opening band for the NYE show at the Aragon Ballroom.
Allison Ziemba
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Aaron Goodwin, the brother of Morning Teleportation's keyboard player Travis Goodwin, sits with Alex Kandel in the dressing room at the Aragon Ballroom. Aaron Goodwin was the lighting technician for Sleeper Agent and Morning Teleportation for the show.
Allison Ziemba
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Josh Martin adjusts a foot pedal onstage during soundcheck before Sleeper Agent opened the Aragon Ballroom's New Year's Eve show with Cage the Elephant, Company of Thieves, and Morning Teleportation.
Allison Ziemba
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Alex Kandel sits onstage and waits while the rest of Sleeper Agent does their individual soundcheck.
Allison Ziemba
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Sleeper Agent performs at the the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago on New Year's Eve.
Allison Ziemba