Mike’s answer for the world was always musical. His mother bought him his first guitar when he was 8. A beater, acoustic hippie guitar, with paint on it. Since then he circled the globe playing with alternative favorites Giant Sand, he has recorded six records, and continues to record, with Friends of Dean Martinez, One record with L.A.’s Campfire Girls and was a hired gun for bands like Marjorie Fair.

As a member of Friends Of Dean Martinez, Mike co-wrote and recorded the score to the Richard Linklater, Fox Searchlight, major motion picture Fast Food Nation. The film also includes the SECRETARY BIRD song “Tio” from the SECRETARY BIRD debut record. Fast Food Nation screened in competition at the Cannes Film Festival and played to sold out audiences. Fast Food Nation is scheduled to be released in November 2006.

With enlisted help from drummer Kirke Jan and bass player Einar Pedersen, SECRETARY BIRD is powerful, maxi-slow up-tempo, undeniably sincere songwriting, smashed with a singing style that’s hypnotic and lackadaisically melodic like Lou Reed or Paul Westerburg. Add Mike’s trademark distinctive guitar work, born of a 70s British influence, as it’s laid beautifully and softly down, at the foot of your soul. Think Psychocandy meets The Days of Wine and Roses add a bit of Wilco.

SECRETARY BIRD successfully fuses these very different sounds and brings a celebration and sadness in its songs that breaks your heart just for the pleasure of healing it.

Blackie Onassis formally of Urge Overkill calls Mike Semple ...the best unsung guitar player in the world. Period. And SECRETARY BIRD the only L.A. based indie-record he bought all year.