Leonardo's Bride formed in 1989, when Abby Dobson and Dean Manning performed together at an open mike night at the Crossroads Theatre in Sydney.[6] Dobson and Manning travelled around Europe and Americabusking and playing in clubs and bars. In 1992, the band had its first performance in Sydney with a new line-up, consisting of Dobson on vocals, Manning on guitar, bouzouki and vocals, Alex Hewetson on double bass and Antero Ceschin on drums.[6] They released their first EP in 1993 entitled Leonardo's Bride. In 1994, Patrick Hyndes and Jon Howell joined; they released a second EP in 1995 titled Temperamental Friend.[6]
In 1996, Leonardo's Bride recorded their debut album, Angel Blood, and released the album's first single "So Brand New" in October 1996. The second single, "Even When I'm Sleeping", saw commercial success for the band, which peaked at No. 4 on the ARIA Singles Chart and No. 34 on the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ) Singles Charts.[3][7] The single was certifiedgold by the Australian Recording Industry Association.[4] "Even When I'm Sleeping" was nominated for 'Single of the Year' at the ARIA Music Awards of 1997.[6][8] The song also went on to win 'Song of the Year' at the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) Music Awards of 1998 for Manning's song writing.[6][9]
It has subsequently been covered by a dozen artists internationally including a French version that was a hit for Véronic DiCaire in Canada. It was also featured on Australian pop singer John Farnham's 2005 covers album – I Remember When I Was Young.[10]