It’s been just over three years since Mess Esque – the stunning collaboration between Helen Franzmann (McKisko) and Mick Turner (Dirty Three, Tren Brothers) – released their self-titled album (see my review here), and a follow-up entitled ‘Jay Marie, Comfort Me’ is due for release on 28 March 2025 through Drag City Records and Remote Control Records. As a taster of what's to come, a dreamy new single 'Let Me Know You' has been released today.

from the album Jay Marie, Comfort Me

from the album Jay Marie, Comfort Me

from the album Jay Marie, Comfort Me

Met een tour als support van Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy in het vooruitzicht en een nieuw verschenen plaat, trekt Mess Esque alle aandacht naar zich toe. Terecht, want wat is Jay Marie, Comfort Me weer een heerlijke eigenzinnige bluesy countryfolk plaat. Dit hobbyproject van Dirty Three gitarist Mick Turner en Helen Franzmann telt alweer een aantal […]

Melbourne-based band Fancy Weapon are one of those once in a lifetime gatherings of some legendary antipodean indie musicians who have come together like metal filings on a magnet and create something whole and truly magnificent. They have been playing together over the past few years and the membership is a who's who of the industry. There's the legendary Mick Turner from Dirty Three, who has also played with Moodists (alongside Dave Graney and Clare Moore) and more recently Backseat Mafia favourites Mess Esque and Bleak Squad). He's not just a pillar of the local antipodean musical scene, he's part of the very foundations.

Mess Esque, the collaboration between Helen Franzmann (McKisko) and Mick Turner (Dirty Three, Tren Brothers), follow up on their self-titled debut 2021 album (reviewed by me here) with the astronomically beautiful 'Jay Marie, Comfort Me'. Released through Drag City Records and Remote Control Records, it's a stunning collection of dreamy shimmering tracks that glow in the firmament.