Before revisiting Glorious Heights on a national 10th anniversary tour, Montaigne sat down with Australian Musician editor Greg Phillips at Empire Studios in Heidelberg West to reflect on how both the album and its creator have evolved over the past decade. Looking back at the record that launched their career, Montaigne describes it as a snapshot of a young artist still trying to figure out life. “I was essentially a child,” they admit. “That album is proof of how lost and experimental I was.” Now at 30, they feel they’ve found a stronger sense of self, making the songs less about reliving old emotions and more about reflecting on the person they were.
Photos by Jason Rosewarne. Location: Empire Studios Heidleberg West.
MORE ABOUT THE MONTAIGNE INTERVIEW
That personal and musical shift extends beyond the lyrics. While Glorious Heights was written largely on acoustic guitar and piano before producer Tony Buchen transformed the songs into lush arrangements, Montaigne now approaches songwriting from an entirely different perspective. Production has become central to their creative process, with Ableton Live serving as their primary instrument. Rather than beginning with chords and lyrics, new songs often emerge from sound design, samples and textures before words are added. Years of working alongside producers such as Dave Hammer, combined with formal Ableton training (taught to her by Ninajirachi) , have transformed them from songwriter into fully self-sufficient producer.
Despite embracing electronic production in the studio, the Glorious Heights anniversary shows won’t reinvent the original recordings. Montaigne says the tour is about celebrating the album as fans remember it, performed by the original live band, minus one member now living overseas. Ableton will still handle playback duties, but audiences can expect the same organic, band-driven sound that defined the record a decade ago.
The anniversary has also given Montaigne a chance to appreciate just how much they’ve achieved since that breakthrough. In the years following Glorious Heights, they’ve represented Australia at Eurovision, collaborated with David Byrne, earned a Grammy nomination for work on the video game Stray Gods, and established themselves as an in-demand composer for games. Remarkably, they revealed they’d already ticked off every goal on a career bucket list they wrote in their early twenties. These days, the biggest ambition isn’t another accolade but something far more practical… financial stability.
One of the interview’s more fascinating insights is Montaigne’s growing confidence as both an artist and producer. Montaigne speaks candidly about learning the technical side of mixing, frequency balance and arrangement while creating last year’s independently produced It’s Hard To Be A Fish. Those lessons are already shaping new music currently in development, with Montaigne determined to deliver cleaner, more refined productions without sacrificing the adventurous spirit that defines their work.
The conversation also touched on some of the career moments that have become part of Montaigne folklore. They recalled nervously emailing David Byrne after producer Dave Hammer tracked down the icon’s contact details, only to receive a reply within a day that led to two collaborations on Making It. Likewise, their Eurovision experience remains tinged with frustration after pandemic travel restrictions prevented them from performing in Rotterdam, although Montaigne says they ultimately accepted the circumstances rather than dwell on what couldn’t be changed.
Away from the studio, Montaigne remains refreshingly grounded. Although renowned for their exuberant stage presence, they describe themselves as naturally introverted, explaining that performing simply unlocks a different side of their personality. They prefer intimate venues where they can see every face in the audience, even confessing they’d hesitate to stage a full orchestral version of Glorious Heights because larger concert halls can feel disconnected. Still, they admit hearing the album accompanied by an orchestra remains a dream project if budget were no obstacle.
Perhaps the strongest impression from the conversation is Montaigne’s unwavering commitment to artistic integrity. They acknowledge that following their own creative instincts hasn’t always been the most commercially rewarding path, but they have no regrets. “I’ve always made the thing I wanted to make,” they say, adding that being able to continue making music full-time while staying true to those values is an achievement they’re immensely proud of.
As the Glorious Heights anniversary tour begins this August, fans can expect more than a nostalgic run-through of a beloved debut. It’s a celebration of an artist who has evolved dramatically over the past decade while remaining true to the individuality and fearless creativity that first made Glorious Heights such a remarkable debut.
MONTAIGNE ‘GLORIOUS HEIGHTS’ 10TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR 2026
Friday Aug 7 – La La La’s Wollongong, NSW
Saturday Aug 8 – King Street Warehouse, Newcastle NSW
Friday Aug 14 – Rosemount Hotel, Perth WA
Saturday Aug 15 – Lion Arts Factory, Adelaide SA
Thursday Aug 20 – Mo’s Desert Clubhouse, Gold Coast QLD
Friday Aug 21 – Crowbar, Brisbane QLD
Saturday Aug 22 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney NSWThursday Aug 27 – Pelly Bar, Frankston VIC
Friday Aug 28 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne VIC
Saturday Aug 29 – Royal Theatre, Castlemaine VIC
https://montaignemusic.com.au/