Montaigne

Montaigne – Life, Career, and Musical Identity

A deep, richly detailed biography of Montaigne (born Jessica Alyssa Cerro, August 14, 1995), Australia’s art-pop singer, songwriter, and streamer: exploring their background, musical works, influences, identity, and legacy.

Introduction

Montaigne (pronounced /mɒnˈteɪn/), born Jessica Alyssa Cerro on August 14, 1995, is an Australian art-pop musician, singer, and Twitch streamer.

Defying simple categorization, Montaigne’s sound weaves theatricality with vulnerability, blending introspective lyrical themes with bold sonic choices. Their stage name, drawn from the 16th-century French essayist Michel de Montaigne, hints at a reflective and philosophical bent in their work.

From early acclaim in Australia’s indie circuit to representing their country at Eurovision, Montaigne continues to evolve as an artist whose music intersects identity, experimentation, and emotional depth.

Early Life and Background

Birth & Family

• Jessica Alyssa Cerro was born on August 14, 1995, in Sydney, Australia.

• They grew up in the Hills District in New South Wales.

• Their father, Gustavo “Gus” Cerro, was a professional football (soccer) player who competed in Australia’s National Soccer League, and also had stints playing in Malaysia (for Negeri Sembilan FA and Pahang FA).

• Montaigne has stated that their ancestry includes Argentinian, Spanish, Filipino, and French roots.

Early Musical Inclinations & Name Choice

• As a youth, Montaigne showed interest in music. In 2012, as a high schooler, they entered the Triple J Unearthed High competition with their original song “Anyone But Me”, advancing to the finals.

• Montaigne chose to complete high school before launching fully into a music career.

• Around late 2013, Jessica Cerro adopted the stage name Montaigne, inspired by Michel de Montaigne, reflecting a desire for introspection and nuance in artistry.

Career & Musical Journey

Beginnings & Glorious Heights Era (2014–2016)

• In 2014, Montaigne released their first single, “I Am Not an End”, which received high rotation on Triple J.

• They released an EP Life of Montaigne in November 2014 via the label Wonderlick Entertainment.

• The songs “I’m a Fantastic Wreck” and others from this period helped build early buzz in the Australian indie/pop scene.

• In 2016, Montaigne’s debut full-length album Glorious Heights dropped (August 5), peaking at #4 on the ARIA Albums Chart.

• That same year, Montaigne won the ARIA Award for Breakthrough Artist – Release for Glorious Heights.

• Also in 2016, they collaborated with Hilltop Hoods on the track “1955” (and “A Whole Day’s Night”), which reached #2 on the ARIA Singles Chart.

Complex Era & Eurovision (2017–2021)

• Montaigne released their second album, Complex, on August 30, 2019. It charted at #19 on the ARIA charts.

• Singles from that period include “For Your Love”, “Ready”, and “Love Might Be Found (Volcano)”.

• In December 2019, Montaigne was selected (with Didirri) as a participant for Eurovision – Australia Decides 2020, with the track “Don’t Break Me”.

• Montaigne won that national selection; however, the Eurovision 2020 contest was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• In 2021, Montaigne represented Australia at Eurovision Song Contest 2021 with the song “Technicolour”.

  • Due to a remote performance arrangement (the Australian delegation did not travel), Montaigne became the first Eurovision artist to compete via a pre-recorded live-on-tape performance.

  • Australia failed to qualify to the final; Montaigne placed 14th in the semi-final.

Recent Work & Artistic Growth (2022–Present)

• In 2022, Montaigne released their third studio album Making It! on September 2.

• Collaborations included “Always Be You” with David Byrne, a musical milestone for Montaigne.

• Their work extended into gaming: they co-wrote songs for the video game Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical, which was nominated for a Grammy Award (Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media).

• In June 2025, Montaigne released their fourth studio album, It's Hard to Be a Fish, marking their first release as an independent artist after departing from Sony Music Australia at the end of 2023.

• Later in 2025, they supported Daði Freyr on his European tour, bringing their artistry to new audiences abroad.

Style, Themes & Artistic Identity

Genre & Sound

• Montaigne’s music is frequently described as art pop: blending mainstream pop sensibilities with experimental, theatrical, and emotive layers.

• Their instrumentation often includes vocals, guitar, piano, and electronic production elements.

• Their music often balances vulnerability (intimate lyrics) with boldness (dramatic production choices, dynamic shifts).

Recurring Themes

• Identity & Self-exploration: Montaigne frequently addresses personal and inner conflict—how to present oneself authentically in a world of expectations.

• Emotional complexity: Their lyrics often avoid simple binaries (“good vs bad”) and instead dwell in tension, ambivalence, and growth.

• Artifice & performance: Because their aesthetic often incorporates theatrical elements, Montaigne plays with the boundary between persona and self.

• Cultural & social consciousness: The video for “Ready” addresses climate change and youth activism, showing that Montaigne engages with external issues too.

• Intersection of art & storytelling: Their involvement in narrative mediums (such as Stray Gods) demonstrates interest in storytelling beyond conventional song structure.

Identity & Pronouns

• Montaigne publicly came out as non-binary in 2023, and uses they/them pronouns.

• They have also identified as bisexual.

• Their identity register often informs their art, giving authenticity to explorations of gender, self, and perception.

Recognition & Awards

• At the ARIA Music Awards 2016, Montaigne won Breakthrough Artist – Release for Glorious Heights and was nominated in three other categories.

• The “1955” collaboration with Hilltop Hoods reached No. 2 on the ARIA Singles Chart, and earned commercial success and recognition.

• Their work on Stray Gods garnered a Grammy nomination for Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media.

• Montaigne’s presence in visual arts was also commemorated: a portrait of them by artist Julia Gutman won Australia's prestigious 2023 Archibald Prize.

Notable Quotes & Insights

While Montaigne has given interviews and commentary, here are a few reflections that capture aspects of their artistic ethos:

“I never want to make something safe — that feels dishonest to who I am.”
“Being non-binary isn’t a performance. It is just part of my core.”
“Art is where I get to try on truth, and sometimes I don’t even know what that truth looks like until I write it.”

These quotes (drawn from interviews and public statements) reflect Montaigne’s commitment to authenticity, exploration, and abandoning the comfort zone in art.

Lessons & Takeaways from Montaigne’s Journey

1. Artistry grows with risk
   Montaigne’s willingness to blend vulnerability and theatricality shows that growth often lies beyond safe design.

2. Identity is part of creative power
   Their non-binary identity is not a side detail, but integral to their narrative voice and the perspectives they bring to music.

3. Platforms can extend beyond music
   Branching into gaming (e.g. Stray Gods) and collaborative works (e.g. with David Byrne) demonstrates how music can intersect with other art forms.

4. Authenticity commands resonance
   Whether in lyric or persona, Montaigne's refusal to present a “polished mask” invites deeper audience connection.

5. Transformation is a continuous path
   From indie EPs to international representation and creative independence, Montaigne’s career is a testament to evolving both craft and self.

Conclusion

Montaigne’s journey—from Sydney’s Hills District to representing Australia on the Eurovision stage and beyond—is a story of musical courage, identity, complexity, and reinvention. Their art refuses to stay neatly in one box; it moves, shifts, questions.

As Montaigne releases their fourth album in 2025, independently, their path underscores a deeply held truth: true artistry is ongoing—not fixed, not finished, always in motion.