Launching in late 2024, the first 12 months for Messy Eater were incredible - a standout debut live session for BBC Introducing, selection from over 200 entries to be one of 10 “Breakthrough Artists” to play the historic York Theatre Royal and a sold-out secret Sofar Sounds show, plus support from Apple Music, Amazing Radio (Tom Robinson, Jim Gellatly and Shell Jenner) and numerous press tastemakers for his debut EP Starters and follow up EP Southern Fried. 

Following a run of live shows in late 2025, Messy Eater bursts into 2026 with the first single from his forthcoming Comfort Food EP - the uplifting, hook-filled self-acceptance anthem ‘Learning to love what I see in the mirror’.  Built around a driving, Motown-esque bass and drum groove, the verse vocal is a heart-on-sleeve outpouring of modern existential angst that explodes into a life-affirming call and response chorus. 

As is now becoming with synonymous with Messy Eater, the track takes playful twists and turns - verse two sets insistent handclaps against 808 trap rhythms while the mid-track breakdown brings in Latin house drums, easy listening harps and choir vocals. Somehow it all hangs together.  In our times of social media comparisons and not enoughness, ‘Learning to love what I see in the mirror’ is an irresistible, poignant, self-empowering singalong. 

Messy Eater is the new music and illustration solo project from Pete Bott, whose previous projects have been supported by NME, The Guardian, Notion and BBC Radio 1.  Drawing comparisons with Gorillaz, Beck, The Flaming Lips and The Avalanches, Messy Eater has been championed by BBC Introducing, Apple Music, Amazing Radio and many press supporters of emerging talent. 

“Infectiously grooving… instantly catchy… wonderful” - Plastic Mag

“A genre-melting joyride… that has kept us endlessly entertained” - Unrecorded

“Completely fresh… Messy Eater has a rare kind of vision” - Cheers To The Vikings

“A celebration and an exploration, breaking boundaries, defying expectations” - Music For The Misfits

"Mixtape culture meets genre-bending songwriting... with irresistible hooks" - Lost In The Manor

“An incredibly rich and mesmerising listen” - Mystic Sons