Mike Sempert - Mid Dream

Mike Sempert is best known for his work as the songwriter and frontman of the Bay Area band Birds & Batteries. After years of recording and touring, Sempert decided to take a break from the band to focus on other aspects of life. He got a dog, moved to Los Angeles, and married his longtime love. Inevitably, a new collection of songs came together, many of them centered around these changes and the questions creative people often face as they stare into the oblivion of adulthood. And so comes Mid Dream, written and recorded in Oakland and Sacramento in the months leading up to Sempert's eventual move to LA. The album is comprised of deeply personal songs presented on both an intimate and epic scale, with heartful sincerity, craft and subtle humor. While Birds & Batteries' albums were on the synthier end of the spectrum, Sempert's new songs called for a more organic treatment - exposed vocals, live drums, acoustic and electric guitars, wurlitzer and rhodes. Some songs are ornamented with flourishes of orchestration, lush background vocals and achey pedal steel guitar, while others are stripped down to the bare essentials. Unobscured by excessive reverb or distortion, Sempert's unique voice and direct lyrics are laid out for all to see, in a humble and bold offering. The production choices and songwriting-style on Mid Dream were influenced by the classic studio albums of the 1970s- works like Paul Simon's 'Still Crazy After All These Years,' John Lennon's 'Walls and Bridges,' as well as albums by Aretha Franklin, Graham Parsons, Sparklehorse, Beck, Cass McCombs and so many more. Sempert's voice has been compared to that of Richard Manuel of the Band and Alan Sparhawk of Low. By some who know Sempert, this album has been described as 'like having a conversation with a friend.' Birds & Batteries bandmates Colin Fahrner and Jill Heinke were called on to contribute drums and bass respectively, as well as a cast of tremendous musicians from the Oakland music community. Friends and neighbors Blake Henderson (engineering) and Sonya Cotton (vocals) contributed vast intangibles to the album, fostering an environment of warmth and support around the recording process. The result is a soulful and often striking work, with bursts of sunshine breaking through the fog and sea spray. Mid Dream is Mike Sempert's inner-conversation on love and commitment, on art and growing up (or trying to). Mike will be on the road with his band to support the record, so we hope you get a chance to see him make this music live as well. 6/07 San Diego, CA at Soda Bar 6/08 Tucson, AZ at Che's Lounge (free show) 6/11 Albq., NM at Low Spirits 6/12 Lubbock, TX at Bar PM 6/13 Ft. Worth, TX at Shipping & Receiving 6/14 Denton, TX at Dan's 6/16 Wichita, KS at Lucky Everyday 6/17 Denver, CO at Leon Gallery 6/18 Provo, UT at Velour 6/20 Leggett, CA at hickey festival 6/28 Los Angeles, CA at Kensington Presents 6/29 Culver City, CA at Blind Barber (solo show) 7/16 Oakland, CA at New Parish 7/17 Springfield, OR at Plank Town Brewing 7/18 Seattle, WA at Columbia City Theater 7/19 Tacoma, WA at The Warehouse 7/20 Portland, OR at Rontoms.

1) Mollusk
2) Oceans of Rock and Roll
3) Mid Dream
4) Finest Line
5) Ms. Metronome
6) Good Morning Young Artist
7) Ain't I Good to You
8) Survival
9) Together Swimming
10) Recovery