Sophie Hunger

Sophie Hunger is the recording name of Emilie Welti, a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Bern, Switzerland, based in Zürich. Born in 1983, she begins her recording career as Emilie Welti and as a member of Fisher, appearing on the group’s self-titled album in 2005.

Solo work

Her first solo album, Sketches on Sea, appears in 2007 on Two Gentlemen. The album is recorded at home in a short period and involves a wide range of collaborators, including a trombone player and a flamenco guitarist. Her second album, Monday’s Ghost, follows in 2008 as an independent release and spends several weeks at the top of the Swiss charts, drawing attention from critics outside Switzerland. Her third studio album, 1983, appears in 2010 and includes a French-language cover of Noir Désir’s “Le Vent Nous Portera”. The Danger of Light is released in 2012, also on Two Gentlemen.

Style and language

Hunger’s writing reflects a cosmopolitan background, shaped by time spent in England and Germany. She sings mainly in English and German, and each of her albums includes one song in Swiss German. Her music ranges across folk songwriting, jazz-influenced moods and soul balladry, and her voice is described as fragile but mature.

Collaborations and live work

She works collaboratively and records The Danger of Light over three sessions abroad. In Los Angeles she works with Josh Klinghoffer of Red Hot Chili Peppers and PJ Harvey, Nathaniel Walcott of Bright Eyes, and Steven Nistor of Danger Mouse. In Montréal she works with Howard Bilerman of Arcade Fire, singer-songwriter Mark Bérubé, Brad Barr of The Barr Brothers and David Payant of A Silver Mt. Zion. A session at Hotel2Tango in Montréal is included on the deluxe edition of the album. Hunger builds a reputation as a live performer and shares stages with Erik Truffaz, The Young Gods, Kutti MC and Stephan Eicher. She also appears at venues and festivals including Olympia in Paris, Miles Davis Hall at the Montreux Jazz Festival and the John Peel Stage at Glastonbury Festival.

Other work

She contributes music to the documentary Zimmer 202 and to Micha Lewinsky’s film Der Freund.