Indie newcomer Sophie Hunger's haunting vocals — at once fragile and soulful — carried her wistful, blues-dappled acoustic folk from intimate cafe appearances to extraordinary word-of-mouth success and cross-Europe tours.

Why you should listen

Sophie Hunger's music lures us to a hidden place in the fog where memories visit, enchanting and mournful. This limbo is where the young Swiss singer-songwriter is most comfortable -- a crossroads of musical styles and young melancholy settling down to mature.

After freak folk's quick fadeout in the early naughts, her first effort, 2006's Sketches on Sea, hinted that something new and cohesive was coming, and she might bring us to it.

Totally unknown as recently as 2005, a small pressing of Sketches was passed around Zurich literally by hand until critics (and the Two Gentleman label) took note -- and spread it through Switzerland, Germany and to London. Now she's booked solid for sold-out shows through the summer, traveling as frontwoman of her understated trio, including trombone, flute and keys --  sometimes joined by drums. Take care as you follow her delicate guitar riffs through these moody atmosphere-setters. You might get lost in them.

What others say

“And instantly one is being infected by Hunger's fevered voice. And one almost becomes addicted to her expression.” — NZZ Albums

Sophie Hunger’s TED talk

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Music

Songs of secrets, city lights: Sophie Hunger on TED.com

May 28, 2010

This haunting, intimate performance by European singer-songwriter Sophie Hunger features songs from her breakout debut “Monday’s Ghost” and the just-released album “1983.” (Recorded at TEDGlobal 2009, July 2009 in Oxford, England. Duration: 23:04) Watch Sophie Hunger’s performance on TED.com, where you can download it, rate it, comment on it and find other talks and performances […]

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