SBS and production partner Blink TV today revealed two more artists to join the Eurovision – Australia Decides line-up in February 2020.
Pop singer Montaigne and alternative artist Didirri will perform an original song for their chance to represent the country at the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
They join four previously announced artists, Aussie icon Vanessa Amorosi, powerhouse entertainer Casey Donovan, rising First Nations artist Mitch Tambo, award-winning singer-songwriter iOTA and four more artists yet to be revealed.
Montaigne said she was excited to be taking part in the competition.
“I’m excited to participate in Eurovision – Australia Decides for the opportunity to release the part of me that is dramatic and extreme. I manage to do it without a massive international music event as impetus, but on the big stage in Europe in front of millions would be everything the drama queen egomaniac inside me could want and more. It’s licence to let her out. And of course to represent my country! I didn’t quite get that far in football, so it would be cool to do it in music. It’s like the World Cup for pop.”
At only 24, the Sydney-based artist has been getting a lot of attention lately, and she just finished a highly praised national tour.
The past few years have seen her recognised for her work with multiple spots on the Triple J’s Hottest 100, an ARIA award for Best Breakthrough Artist and a nomination for Best Female Artist on her debut album Glorious Heights. Her sophomore album COMPLEX was released in August to critical acclaim.
Didirri shared his anticipation about joining the song challenge.
“I have always been interested in writers. Although the world of Eurovision is new to me, from the outside it seems to respect a well written song above all else. People seem to be free to express their art in whatever way they want. I’m a fan of ABBA, they wrote unfiltered, iconic anthems.
“My sister and I used to sing their stuff together in the bathroom. Who knows how they have influenced me, I’m quite a mix bag of ideas. Personal experience inspires most of my own writing – all I hope to do is to help people express some part of themselves. I’m also over the moon to be joining the line-up with my friend Montaigne who I respect very much.”
Didirri’s debut EP Measurements has collected over 30 million streams, and led to Didirri playing such renowned festivals as the UK’s The Great Escape and Latitude Festival, Australia’s Splendour In The Grass and Barcelona’s Primavera Sound.
In a matter of months, he toured the US and UK twice and shared the stage with well-known acts Vance Joy, Hozier, Tash Sultana, The Temper Trap and more.
Hosted by SBS Eurovisionaries comedian Joel Creasey and music buff Myf Warhurst Eurovision – Australia Decides will showcase the best of Australian music and bring the nation closer to the Eurovision action. Audiences are encouraged to vote for their favourite acts and the winner will be revealed during the Live TV Final broadcast exclusively on SBS on Saturday 8 February.
Source: Media Release
