Her independently released second album "Monday's Ghost" (2008) stayed at the top of the swiss charts for several weeks and caught the attention of critics abroad. The Guardian described her as "Laura Marling, Beth Orton and Björk in one folk-rocking package".
The Swiss singer spent parts of her youth abroad, living in England and Germany. Her cosmopolitan biography is reflected in her multilingual songwriting. While most songs are in English or German language, each album contains one song in a Swiss German dialect. Her third studio album 1983 (2010) also includes a cover version of Noir Désir's Le Vent Nous Portera in French language.
Hunger has always worked in a collaborative spirit, and her many musical interests have led her to a fascinating geographic and personality mix. While she had recorded her solo début "Sketches On Sea" at home in just a few days, her latest album "The Danger Of Light" evolved over three sessions abroad. In Los Angeles she was joined by Josh Klinghoffer (Red Hot Chilli Peppers, PJ Harvey), Nathaniel Walcott (Bright Eyes) and Steven Nistor (Danger Mouse); in Montréal Howard Bilerman (Arcade Fire), singer/songwriter Mark Bérubé, Brad Barr (The Barr Brothers) und David Payant (A Silver Mt. Zion) jammed along. That last session from Hotel2Tango-Studio in Montréal is included on the Deluxe Edition of her latest release.
Rapidly gaining a reputation as an electrifying live performer, Hunger has been sharing stages with some of Switzerlands’s most successful artists, like Erik Truffaz, The Young Gods, Kutti MC or Stephan Eicher and appearing at locations such as Olympia in Paris, Miles Davis Hall at the Montreux Jazz Festival or the John Peel Stage at Glastonbury Festival.
The musical directions of Sophie Hunger are limitless, from traditional folk songwriting bathed in jazzy moods to soul balladry. Her musical universe is very flourished, nourished by an exceptionally fragile yet mature voice as well as an ability to cross genres. For Sketches On Sea, she collaborated with a great number of musicians, from a trombone player to a flamenco guitarist. Sophie’s technical prowesses can lead her anywhere and allow her to do things that nobody else could get away with.
Sophie Hunger also contributed the soundtrack to the documentary "Zimmer 202" and the movie "Der Freund" by Micha Lewinsky.
Sites: SoundCloud, Vimeo and Facebook.
Travelogue
Sophie Hunger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lay down the pen
Take off your glasses
And unpack your things
Feel with your thumbs the
Edge of your chin and
Hold your hands up again
Halt and I stand
i follow the lines in
The palm of my hand
Feel with my thumbs the
Dust on my skin and
No, I will not dream again
I'm ready now, I'm going now
Nowhere
Don't take me out, I'm breaking out
In air
I'm ready now, I'm going now
Nowhere
Bring me some water and
Don't bring me wine
Turn off the movie
Let it be time
Destroy all the airplanes I'll
Sleep on the floor
We must dream no more
I'm ready now, I'm going now
Nowhere
Don't take me out, I'm breaking out
In air
I kill the fire, I'll close the doors
And I watch you
No more
The lyrics to Sophie Hunger's song Travelogue speak to the idea of leaving behind the trappings of modern life and embracing a simpler, more intuitive way of living. The first stanza encourages the listener to put away the distractions of society, represented by cards and pens, and really tune into their own physical sensations and surroundings. The next stanza follows this theme, encouraging the listener to abandon their preconceptions and rely on their own inner resources, symbolized by the lines in their palms and the dust on their skin. The chorus is an affirmation of the singer's readiness to embrace this new way of being, a powerful statement of determination that acknowledges the need to break free from old patterns.
The second verse takes the message of the first even further, emphasizing the need to leave behind not just our mental distractions but our physical possessions as well. The image of destroying airplanes is particularly powerful, suggesting a desire to escape the trappings of modernity and embrace a more grounded, earthy way of living. The final lines of the song are a declaration of independence, a final breaking free from the past to embrace a new way of life.
This song is particularly notable for its intense lyricism and the strength of its message, which speaks to many people who feel trapped by the expectations and demands of modern society. Its themes of self-discovery, rebellion, and freedom are universal and deeply resonant, making it a popular song for many listeners around the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Call back the cards now and
Stop what you're doing and reflect on your past decisions.
Lay down the pen
Stop writing and creating, and take a break.
Take off your glasses
Stop seeing the world through the lens of your job or daily routine, and see things for what they really are.
And unpack your things
Let go of your physical and emotional baggage, and start fresh.
Feel with your thumbs the
Take a moment to reflect physically and connect with your body.
Edge of your chin and
Pay attention to the small details in life.
Hold your hands up again
Be open and ready to embrace life.
I lower my head now I
I am surrendering to the present moment.
Halt and I stand
I am stopping to reflect.
i follow the lines in
I am being introspective and reflecting on my own life.
The palm of my hand
I am analyzing myself both emotionally and physically.
Feel with my thumbs the
I am taking a moment to connect physically with myself.
Dust on my skin and
I am acknowledging the physical imperfections and wear and tear on my body and soul.
No, I will not dream again
I am letting go of unrealistic or unrealistic expectations and instead embracing reality.
I'm ready now, I'm going now
I am ready and excited for a change.
Nowhere
I am open to any direction or outcome.
Don't take me out, I'm breaking out
I am making a conscious decision to break free from any emotional or physical bonds.
In air
I am embracing the freedom and possibilities that come with letting go.
Bring me some water and
I am asking for nourishment to start anew.
Don't bring me wine
I am abstaining from distractions that keep me from reaching my goals.
Turn off the movie
I am choosing to live my own life and not be influenced by external forces.
Let it be time
I am embracing the journey and the process of growth and change.
Destroy all the airplanes I'll
I am doing away with unhealthy dependencies and unhealthy desires.
Sleep on the floor
I am taking a humble approach to the next chapter of my journey.
We must dream no more
We must let go of unrealistic dreams and live in reality.
I kill the fire, I'll close the doors
I am taking steps to let go of destructive thoughts and behaviors.
And I watch you
I am letting go of the past and observing what lies ahead.
No more
I am embracing the present and the future without the burdens of the past.
Contributed by Luke A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.