Last night the Recording Academy announced the nominations for the 2024 Grammy Awards. Among the nominees are Australia’s Eurovision 2020 and 2021 representative, Montaigne who is nominated in the ‘Best Score Soundtrack For Video Games And Other Interactive Media’ category for their work on Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical.
Grammy nomination for Montaigne
Overnight, the Recording Academy has recognised Montaigne’s passion for video gaming with the announcement that Montaigne has received a first Grammy nomination at the 2024 Grammys for their composition work on the video game, Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical. The all-Aussie writing team that includes, Montaigne (Jess Cerro), Austin WIntory and Tripod are nominated in the category for ‘Best Score Soundtrack For Video Games And Other Interactive Media’. Inspired by the Buffy musical episode, Stray Gods is a roleplaying adventure game where players assume the role of Grace who must take on the Greek Gods and Goddesses to prove their innocence through the power of music.
Last year the Recording Academy included this category for the first time, acknowledging the profound impact that video game music scores have on its audience, as well as the cultural impact of the gaming industry as a whole.
Montaigne and Austin shared their excitement on the social media platform, X (formerly known as Twitter):
we did it 😭🫠🤩😱 https://t.co/bheBFxeR1C
— Montaigne (@actualmontaigne) November 11, 2023
However, the Aussies face stiff competition if they are to win their first Grammy. Also nominated in the ‘Best Score Soundtrack For Video Games And Other Interactive Media’ category are, God of War Ragnarök, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, Hogwart’s Legacy and Star Wars: Jedi Survivor.
Montaigne’s Eurovision journey
Back in early 2020, Montaigne was selected as Australia’s representative after winning Eurovision: Australia Decides with their song, ;Don’t Break Me;. After the contest was cancelled, SBS invited them back to compete at the 2021 contest in Rotterdam with ‘Technicolour‘.
Australia were one of two countries to take part in the contest using their live-on-tape performance. Montaigne joined the first semi-final live from the SBS Studios, as opposed to the Green Room in Rotterdam’s Ahoy. Unfortunately, ‘Technicolour’ did not advance to the Grand Final, placing 14th with 28 points. This was Australia’s first non-qualification since their 2015 debut.
Since then, Montaigne has proven Eurovision results are not the benchmark for success, with their first acting role in the musical comedy, Time To Buy. As well as this, Montaigne has enjoyed working on compositions for soundtracks, including featuring on the soundtrack for the Netflix hit Heartstopper with, ‘Because I Love You’.
Eurovision success at the Grammys
When many have cried “Too good for Eurovision!” the Recording Academy has most definitely disagreed. Over the decades, many names from Eurovision past and present have been been acknowledged for their contribution to the music industry. Previous winners at the Grammys include – Celine Dion, Olivia Newton-John , Domenico Modugno and Julio Iglesias. Meanwhile Gina G, Bonnie Tyler, Il Volo, Måneskin and of course ABBA, have also received nominations in past years.
However, only two Eurovision entries in the history of the Grammys have been nominated. During the first ever Grammy Awards in 1959, ‘Nel Blu, Dipinto Di Blu’, which came third for Italy in the 1958 contest, went on to win ‘Song of the Year’ and ‘Record of the Year’. Thus, this remains the only Eurovision entry to ever win a Grammy. Much later in the 1996, Gina G’s UK entry ‘Ooh Aah… Just A Little Bit‘ saw the Australian pick up a nomination for ‘Best Dance Recording’.
You can find out how Montaigne get on by tuning in to the 66th Annual Grammy Awards February 4th 2023 on CBS and Paramount+. (8pm ET/5pm PT, 1am GMT, 2am CET, 12pm AEDT).
Can Montaigne win their first Grammy Award? Let us know! Be sure to stay updated by following @ESCXTRA on Twitter, @escxtra on Instagram, @escxtra on TikTok and liking our Facebook page for the latest updates! Also, be sure to follow us on Spotify for the latest music from your favourite Eurovision acts. As well as YouTube to see our reactions to the news in the run up to the new Eurovision season.
Cerro not Serro!