[5] Despite modest success with Spongefinger, Hayter came into prominence when he joined Hefner full-time in 1999 as a multi-instrumentalist (though he had been playing live with them in 1998),[6] alongside Darren Hayman, Antony Harding and John Morrison.

He would also be seen opening for artists like KT Tunstall, Martin Grech, Darren Hayman & The Secondary Modern, Wreckless Eric, and Amy Rigby.

Through the encouragement of Benjamin Shaw, Hayter signed with UK independent record label Audio Antihero (best known at the time for Nosferatu D2) and released a new EP called "Sucky Tart".

[24] The series has featured musical contributions from Hefner alumni Darren Hayman and Antony Harding[25][26] and guest artwork from Benjamin Shaw and Sexton Ming.

[27][28] The series enjoyed praise and acclaim from press and radio, including Tom Robinson's Fresh on the Net,[29] 4FM,[30] GoldFlakePaint,[31] 7BitArcade,[32] The Music Fix,[33][34][35] This Is Fake DIY, The 405[23] and others.

[25][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45] In November 2012, Hayter contributed a re-working of his "The West Beach" single for the Audio Antihero produced "Hüsker Doo-wop" Charity EP to raise money to repair damages to independent music organisations in New York following Hurricane Sandy.

The show was co-hosted by Audio Antihero and included a session from label-mate and Fighting Kites guitarist Broken Shoulder, it was promoted and featured by Rolling Stone.

In July 2017 The WIAIWYA label commissioned and released a 77 minute long lighthouse inspired concept piece called "Flashes and Occultations" by Hayter.

[64] He has more recently been working with the Gare Du Nord label (co-run by Ian Button), contributing to recordings and live performances by Raleigh Long and Papernut Cambridge.