Martin Messent Biography


Based in Brighton, Martin Messent has been
playing a mix of folky blues, alt. country and wistful 
ballads since quitting booze, drugs, sex and 
employment in 1996. 

He has since taken up sex and employment again 
after, mystically, seven years of onanism and 
poverty. 
Growing up in south London in the 1980s he was influenced by a diverse 
selection of music; from the crazed psychedelic rock of Zodiac Mindwarp and 
Ozric Tentacles to dub, The Smiths, techno and trad jazz!

He began the acoustic rounds with a set combining Gram Parsons, Beck, 
Ray Charles, Beck and Leonard Cohen songs with his own meandering, 
jazz/ folk originals.

A regular of the long running original open mic night Creative Liquid, he has also played at popular Brighton venues like The Komedia, Sallis Benny Theatre, Corn Exchange (with Kate Murdoch supporting the LPO), Sussex Arts Club, spots at Peace 2002 and 2003 Festivals, and the 12 Bar Club in London. 

Martin's first EP 'Bye Bye Blackbird' was recorded with local musicians Mark 
Treffel(Keys), Joe Ospalla(Drums), Tom Cheek(Bass) and Kevin Lowe (tenor sax). Those that have been lucky enough to get a copy have been exceedingly impressed, especially for such an understated local release.

He has contributed two songs to the 'Last Songs' project, as well as guitar 
duties on other tracks, and has also helped out with production and 
arrangement ideas for the rest of the album. 

What others have said about Martin:

   "...an unfussy and bare vocal strength..."   Live review, Sanctuary 6/6/02

  "'Bye Bye Blackbird' is full of mellow subtleties, lonesome riffs and fine vocal 
    moments. Humility and soul set the tone for thought provoking, heartfelt 
    lyrics and melodies."    MW, Drowned In Sound.