“I’ve always loved Halloween,” says Pete Bott, aka Messy Eater, as we chat about his new single, Haunted Heart.
By Graeme Smith
The popularity of the holiday seems to have skyrocketed lately in this country, not least in the world of music. It seems that more artists want to release a Halloween single than a Christmas one nowadays.
Alongside the decorations and the dressing up, Bott was also thinking of the horror films of the ‘80s when crafting his track. “[Halloween] has a larger than life, playful vibe but with underlying darkness,” he says. “That really appeals to me. It also fits the story of Haunted Heart perfectly; it’s about someone who is trying to get over a breakup, but they can’t get their ex off their mind. It’s like their mind is haunted and the memories of the ex are poltergeists in their house.”
It does see Messy Eater get a little darker than we’ve heard from them before. That bold ‘80s movie soundtrack vibe comes through strong, combining the cheesy and upbeat with the atmospherically ghoulish.
It’s still a track that’s unmistakably Messy Eater though. We get Bott’s laidback, expressive vocals and plenty of the oomph we’ve come to expect over the last year.
It’s been a busy twelve months for the project, which was only conceived in 2024. “I’ve released a couple of EPs, Starters and Southern Fried,” reminisces Bott. “I’ve done a live session for BBC Introducing with my awesome band, and I’ve had some great support from places like Apple Music, Amazing Radio (Jim Gellatly and Tom Robinson) and various blogs. It has been very fun start to the project!”
We’re among those various blogs and have been hitched to the Messy Eater wagon since the beginning. It helps that they’re York-based. Bott describes our local scene as “very healthy,” calling out Jericho Keys’ BBC Introducing show as well as The Fulford Arms and The Crescent.
Musically, Bott takes his cues from the likes of Gorillaz, Beck, and Avalanches. He also cited Prince, Outkast, Daft Punk, A Tribe Called Quest, Danger Mouse, Hard Life and Tyler the Creator during our chat.
There’s another side to his creativity, though, and that’s a visual element. “I’m also really inspired by illustration, street art, graphic design and photography,” he says. “A few names that come to mind are Joel Sternfeld, Peter Saville, and Yeye Weller.”
Messy Eater is an act that stands out thanks to its unique combination of music and illustration. Haunted Heart sees the project take on something a little different though – a collaboration with another illustrator, My Sunbeam.
“I’ve been a huge fan of My Sunbeam since the start of Messy Eater,” says Bott. “I had some of his illustrations on my mood board when I was planning the project, and I wore clothes with his illustrations on the covers of the Feels Good and Slowcoach singles.
“I messaged him on Instagram, and we met in London about six months ago. The conversation turned to a possible collaboration and, I’m very pleased to say, he was up for it! He said he always wanted a reason to make a Halloween illustration, and I had the demo of Haunted Heart ready for the right moment. It all just flowed from there.”
Looking beyond Halloween, Bott’s ambitions for the Messy Eater project are to “keep refining my lyrical takes on modern life while finding fun ways to expand the sonic palette.”
“I’d like to do more with the illustration side too, including a possible comic/lyric book next year,” he adds. “In other ways, I want to keep growing the audience for the music and enhance the life show into a really joyous, immersive experience. Bands like The Flaming Lips have always inspired me in that way. I think we need more celebratory live music experiences together!”
Speaking of live music, you can catch Messy Eater next at The Fulford Arms on Wednesday 22 October 2025, supporting Youth Sector. Following that will be shows in Leeds, Newcastle, Glasgow and Carlisle before the end of the year.
A third EP is on its way in 2026. While we wait, be sure to get Haunted House added to your Halloween playlist. The single is out now, and you can listen to it below.
