MONTAIGNE: FINDING A NEW SOUND AND THE CONCEPTUAL NATURE OF 'MAKING IT!'

Watch our interview with Montaigne below!

Australian pop artist Montaigne has treated us with their third studio album, making it!. We caught up with the singer to chat about the release, the evolution of their songwriting, working with their idol and so much more!

Described by the singer as an album about "love", the record serves as a body of work about making it through life, whilst also bringing a science-fiction inspired element. There's tracks that document the doe-eyed moments of experiencing unconditional love, ones that navigate the more anxiety-inducing moments of every day life, and cuts that take a more conceptual approach where the singer builds a fantasy world brimming with unique characters and situations.

Co-produced by Montaigne and Dave Hammer (Genesis Owusu; Lime Cordiale), the album moves into new sonic territory for the singer, leaving behind organic instrumentation and sounds to create what they describe as a "computer record". Glitchy production helps to form bright and upbeat soundscapes that simmer beneath the singers captivating vocal acrobatics. They enlist a number of superb collaborators throughout the album, with fellow Eurovision 2021 contestant Daði Freyr lending his talents to make me feel so…, whilst Japanese-French singer, songwriter, DJ and producer Maika Loubté joins comet death. The singer had the chance to team up with their idol, David Byrne of Talking Heads on two tracks, always be you and gravity.

To mark the release, Montaigne will return to the stage for a national tour, performing tracks from making it! for the very first time. Kicking off in Adelaide on September 30, the run of shows will continue on to Perth, Byron Bay, Maroochydore, Brisbane, Sydney, Newcastle, Melbourne, Geelong and Ballarat, before wrapping up in Wollongong on October 28. More details can be found here. The singer is also set to at Sydney All-Nighter at Opera bar later this month, with the event bringing together more than 100 of the country's best DJ and live acts.