Born in rural Pennsylvania. Steeped in history as parents ran local historic sites. Transplanted to Atlantic Maritimes in his teens. The Halifax music scene is deep and varied - influences him from post-rock to pop to traditional music - all of which he uses in his playing. Heavily influenced in equal parts by the early troubadour ballades and playing of Europe's pre-discovery music - which translated later by Dylan and Simon into American classic songwriting - and post-rock, mathy, angular, build and release - heavy music. Imagine all that fused into a 3 minute song and you have Messick. Known for his touch on the guitar and seasoned voice - he often employes tight vocal harmonies and fingerpicking (alternate tunings). With a band he is decidedly 'Blond on Blond' era rock jangle pop.