She fronted the rock trio Crowsdell in the 90's, recording two albums, Dreamette and In the curve of an arm. Both featuring her intense writing, playing and singing.
Her first solo album, Flightsafety (1999) featured a gentle acoustic sound. Her next release, Maps of Tacit (2000) brought a more vocally aggressive approach. This was further developed on her next two albums, Dyed in the Wool (2001) and Over the Sun (2004), which were both recorded with Steve Albini.
After a collaboration with French musician Yann Tiersen (Yann Tiersen & Shannon Wright, 2004), the works that followed moved in a gentler direction, mixing warm folk and rock songs with moodier pieces. These albums included Let in the Light (2007), Honeybee Girls (2009), and Secret Blood (2010).
Her next album, In Film Sound (2013), incorporated more raw and harsh indie rock elements reminiscent of earlier works. Later, on Division (2017), she experimented with a fragile keyboard-based sound incorporating sampling and electronic beats. Her most recent release, Providence (2019), also has a haunting sound mainly based on piano.
She's a frequent road warrior, playing shows everywhere from South Dakota to Brazil. Her live shows are emotionally charged, unbridled pieces of rock and roll, featuring Shannon's trademark vocal howl and multi-instrumental palette. Shannon was handpicked by Sleater-Kinney and Nick Cave to open some of their US tour dates.
Avalanche
Shannon Wright Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dissolved in my hand
Just like an avalanche
He's gone
Our plans
There's no plans
White mountaintop
My man
Dissolved in my hand
Just like an avalanche
He's gone
Our plans
There's no plans
White mountaintop
I climbed down
The lyrics to Shannon Wright's song Avalanche appear to describe the sudden ending of a relationship. The opening line "My man dissolved in my hand" suggests that the person's partner has disappeared or broken apart before them, leaving them feeling helpless and unable to hold onto what they thought they had. This image is reinforced by the comparison to an avalanche, which is a powerful and destructive force that can sweep away everything in its path.
The repetition of the second verse reinforces the sense of loss, with the singer reflecting on the fact that there are no longer any plans for the future, and that they have had to climb down from the "white mountaintop" that symbolizes the heights of their relationship. The use of the word "dissolved" implies that the relationship has melted away like snow, leaving nothing but emptiness in its wake. Overall, the lyrics paint a picture of someone grappling with the sudden end of a relationship, struggling to come to terms with what has happened and to find a way forward.
Line by Line Meaning
My man
I had a partner or lover
Dissolved in my hand
He disappeared suddenly from my life without warning or explanation
Just like an avalanche
His disappearance seemed to happen quickly and with great force, like a cascading snowslide
He's gone
He's no longer present or part of my life
Our plans
The things we had intended to do together
There's no plans
Those intended activities we had are no longer possible
White mountaintop
An obstacle in my mind or in our relationship that was seemingly unattainable
I climbed down
I retreated from the impossible goal and came to terms with the end of the relationship
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Shannon Wright
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
curlyfroggy
2004, the most tragic song in my most tragic year, a real jewel. And if you see her live, nuff said, an ocean of overwhelming feelings.
JCBigCat
this is incredibly beautiful. in a perfect world, shannon wright would be a platinum disc, or however you say it :) i'm glad somebody uploaded this one, i just learned it on the piano and it's awesome.
Lee Billy C
I love discovering new artists...especially when they are this good! Wow...I am a happy bunny.
Michael Molz
Love this song, which I 1st heard in the film, "Student Services" (the starlet of which is equally serene)..
JCMac777
oh yeah absolutely. in a more perfect world, she would be incredibly popular
apagaeltelevisor
love her!
raised hand
I love the Francis Bacon paintings in the background!
Alessandra D
bellissima la canzone e il video....grazie per averlo pubblicato
aleks kuculi
i cant find what this piano reminds me :/ so powerfull !
Sashi K.
Sad, lonely, quiet night.