Australian art-pop artist Montaigne, who represented her home country at the Eurovision Song Contest last year, has teamed up with David Byrne for a new track called ‘Always Be You’. The single comes paired with a video from directors Nick Ward and Jacinthe Lau. Watch and listen below.
Speaking about the collaboration in a press release, Byrne said:
Jess (Montaigne) approached me about singing on a song, or a possible collaboration and to be honest I had not heard of her. After my current show was safely up and running I checked out her new and old songs and quickly responded, yes! How could I have not been aware of this person? Someone I imagine might occasionally get labelled “quirky” — as I often am.
How many artists would reference funny monologist Daniel Kitson?? But with Jess that quirkiness translates into complete heartfelt honesty and transparency about her feelings — feelings many of us might be ashamed or afraid to admit to — all set to incredibly infectious tunes. Brave, weird and catchy. Thrilled to be invited and love how the songs turned out.
Montaigne added: “It’s a dream come true to be able to work with David Byrne (if only remotely)! Everything he’s done from the Talking Heads to solo work & one-off collaborations has been so influential to me. It’s absolutely buck wild to me that he has assented to singing lyrics and melodies I’ve written, as well as contributing his own fabulous sense of humour & writing voice. Such a treat.”