Montaigne shines in glorious 'Technicolour'

First things first: you can listen to Montaigne's entry Technicolour here.

“I’m so excited to present Technicolour to the world! I think it does it all - makes you want to cry, makes you want to dance, makes you want to take on a malignant corporate power - and I think that it is both forward-thinking and suitable for Eurovision.”

Written and produced specifically with Eurovision in mind, the banger combines upbeat pop stylings with catchy anthemic hooks. The Sydneysider co-wrote her Contest track alongside songwriter and producer Dave Hammer.

“I initially started writing the song after a catch-up call with my mum that was really emotional and had me crying on the floor thinking of that first line, ‘I want to be close to my mother.’ I picked up my guitar and started improvising around that, trying to get the feelings out of my system. I had to put the song down then because we were having people over for dinner.

Later, I picked the idea up with songwriter and music producer, Dave Hammer, since we were working on trying to make a Eurovision song happen, and the song became about resilience and the courage that comes from being able to be vulnerable, being able to ask for help, and knowing that in solidarity and togetherness we are stronger as people."

Montaigne will give her first live performance of Technicolour at the 2021 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, which is available to stream live on Saturday 6 March at 08:00 CET (or 18:00 AEDT) on SBS On Demand. Those kind people at SBS will be removing the geo-block for international viewers, so we might not be getting Australia Decides in 2021, but this does mean those of us in Europe still have the opportunity to enjoy one Eurovision reveal over brunch or breakfast.

Josh Martin, SBS Commissioning Editor and Australian Head of Delegation, adds:

“We love this song! SBS has always celebrated the technicolour nature of Australia and the world, and Montaigne has written an anthem that encapsulates all that we stand for as a broadcaster and a country. Where better to premiere it, than one of the world’s most loved Pride events – the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras! The song is positive, purposeful - and let’s face it - fun! It will be right at home at the world’s largest, inclusive technicolour song contest where, to borrow a line from the chorus: ‘if we stand together, we can do whatever’.”

About Montaigne

The Sydney-based artist has become an important figure on the Aussie indie scene, receiving widespread praise for her working including an ARIA award for Best Breakthrough Artist and a nomination for Best Female Artist in 2016.

The Sydneysider was due to represent her nation with Don't Break Me after winning Australia Decides back in February 2020. Her song Don't Break Me, slayed the competition by winning 54 points from the Australian public and 53 points from the music industry jury.

Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest

Australia was invited to join the party in 2015 to commemorate the 60th Eurovision Song Contest. The participation was set to be a one-off event but it was later confirmed that the Aussies would continue to compete until at least 2023.

In 2019, Australia switched from internal selections to a televised national selection called Eurovision: Australia Decides. Europeans who tuned in to the antipodeon antics could finally enjoy a national selection show over brunch, and the first edition was won by Kate Miller-Heidke, who managed to reach 9th place at the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 in Tel Aviv.