i miss your mess

Vocals and orchestral arrangement: Michael Johnson
Orchestra: The Reclinerland Symphony Orchestra

Recorded between 2022 and 2023 at Reclinerland HQ in Paris, France. Mixed and mastered by Michael Johnson and Jarkko Heiniö.

In the quaint alleys of Amsterdam, amidst the vibrant theater scene of 1917, Berenice Messey found solace. An English actress, songwriter, and composer, she strove to leave her mark on the Dutch stages with her innovative musical plays. But behind the curtains, her heart harbored a secret ache. Berenice's world collided with brilliance the day Sophie Berenbaum auditioned for one of Berenice’s plays. Sophie, an actress and fellow playwright from New York, radiated a mystique that enchanted Berenice from their first meeting. Berenice offered Sophie not only a part in her new play The Flying Milkmaid of Utrecht, but also lodgings in her small Amsterdam flat and the connection between the two women blossomed so much that Berenice dedicated The Flying Milkmaid of Utrecht to Sophie. As the run of the play progressed, Berenice found herself captivated by Sophie's intellect and charm. Her admiration grew into a love that echoed through the cobbled streets of Amsterdam. But Sophie's heart beat to a different rhythm, one that did not align with Berenice's yearning. One fateful night, Sophie confessed her inability to reciprocate Berenice's feelings. The words hung heavy in the air, shattering Berenice's hopes like fragile glass. Milkmaid, sadly, had a short run, and both the closing of the show and Sophie's departure left a void in Berenice's world, a chasm of unspoken words and unfulfilled dreams. "I Miss Your Mess" was Berenice’s attempt to capture the essence of longing, the bittersweet notes painting a portrait of a heart in turmoil. After the show finally closed on the Amsterdam stage, Berenice stood on the threshold of her empty theater, memories of Sophie lingering like ghostly whispers. The stage that once held their shared laughter now echoed with the silent echoes of a love that wasn’t to be.