here is a selection of press editorials.
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Derrin Nauendorf Band + Mike Last + Susy Thomas.
Review by: David Bailey 24/07/06
Suzy Thomas was first on the bill, but surely she won't be for long. An easy-going, confident display af perfectly natural singing and playing was Suzy's strong point - the gig seemed just a pleasant part of her day - and it was certainly a very pleasant part of mine. Her songs were memorable, well composed and the performance was lively and engaging. As a set it was perhaps just a little on-paced and maybe needed an up-tempo number or a really slow ballad to mix it up a little, but it didn't detract from a beautiful performance. Her free CD single "Mirror For Me" was eagerly received and the driving band arrangements on the CD place her firmly in the modern country-influenced rock category without ever typecasting her completely. She's well worth seeing again. Just charming.
Mike Last was next, (but not last) - oh how he must hate those puns - and injected much needed pace and wit into the evening's proceedings with a set of original songs - including, bravely, considering Mr Kyps discerning audience, a first performance of some new material. The lively "Said and Done" was followed by an Ezio cover (he supported them at Mr Kyps earlier in the year). After "Separate" came "Take It Or Leave It" when finally the audience decided they were going to take it and beaming faces and genuinely warm applause greeted each song. Then it was time for the ultimate modern stalking song "Cyberpsycho" and the hesitantly introduced Elastic, a novelty song that appeared to be about having an exceptionally flexible girlfriend. His set ended too quickly by half with "Russian Bride," a dark tale of Eastern mafia - just great. What next? Perhaps Mike will do a Derrin Nauendorf cover at his next Mr Kyps gig? He sings well, plays well, looks good and has bags of personality. Make sure you see him next time - and he had a free CD too. As one chap said to me at the bar, "He's brilliant, isn't he?"
Then it was time for MR N himself. A three-piece band (double-bass, drums and Derrin on acoustic guitar) thundered through his original material. Rhythmically complex, engagingly performed and very exciting the performance only lacked memorable melodies to have been perfect. Derrin had obviously picked great musicians and despite the low number of gigs together, they were very, very tight. At times it did seem as if it was more interesting for him than it was for the audience, with a little warmth and humour required - "I won't be giving away a free CD" is the only thing I remember him saying. Musically brilliant but a little po-faced.
Derrin Nauendorf Band + Mike Last + Susy Thomas.
Review by: Mick Ward 20/07/06
This is what a summer's evening is all about- friendly staff to welcome you in, some liquid refreshment, meeting up with friends, and some chilled out acoustic music from 'the round'. With the newly added ceiling camera and big screen set up at the back of the stage, it makes the atmosphere even better for a great night of live music. What a great start to the evening with an artist making her debut at Mr. Kyps, the young lady in question is Susy Thomas. Looking confident and making conversation with the audience between her self-penned songs from debut album 'In The Morning', she quickly won over everyone with her voice and guitar playing. Standout tracks were the single release 'Mirror For Me' and 'Take me Away' .
Next up we were entertained by singer/songwriter Mike Last, who last played at Mr. Kyps as support to Ezio, amongst his own numbers he fitted in a song by them. He also went down well with the audience with his friendly manner and strong singing. With some verbal encouragement from the crowd he was persuaded to perform a brand new song which also went down well. After quite a few year's of performing solo Derrin Nauendorf decided to get a band together, he couldn't have chosen better than in Rick Foot on double bass and Channel Islander Jamie O'Keeffe on drums.
Kicking off with the very popular 'Shipwrecked' we were off to a cracking start. Second number was the first track off his latest album 'The Rattling Wheel' called 'Universal Demands' which I'm sure will be a regular number on future sets, with Rick showing what an underrated instrument the double bass is with some great work with not only his fingers but also using a bow. Some great stuff was coming from Jamie behind the drums, but the star of the show yet again came up with a brilliant set of singing and inventive guitar playing that makes sounds you've didn't think could be possible out of an acoustic guitar. Playing 'All Along The Watchtower' on his own gave the song a whole new feel to it, Bob would be proud. The audience were held spellbound when the band played 'Deliver Me An Angel', a slow number impeccably delivered. Derrin puts his heart and soul into every number and has built up fan base on this. If you want something that little bit different his next gig at Mr. Kyps is in November: don't miss it, you won't be disappointed.
Derrin Nauendorf Band + Mike Last + Susy Thomas.
Review by: Chris Male 20/07/06
A hot sticky evening maybe but such an electrifying evening with two artists I have seen before. But the artist new to me provided such a wonderful set and seeing the audience response to Susy Thomas I know I was not alone in feeling I had seen something special. All her own songs with such maturity for someone so young. The Round provides an intimate feeling and Susy's playing and voice were what made it into an unforgettable evening. So much so that I purchased her CD the following morning. I can only suggest to those who enjoyed the evening as much as I did go and buy it - you will not be disappointed. I just hope that we will have another opportunity to see and hear Susy in the Round before the inevitable stardom arrives.
Poor Mike Last having to follow such a performance. But his performance was excellent, he has such a infectious personality and got the audience on his side with a powerful set, although indicating a reluctance to perform for the first time a new song, I don't think anyone was fooled that he was happy with the reaction.
Derrin Nauendorf yet again gave an impeccable set, the addition of the band gives another dimension to the power of his talents. I met someone who caught the last two minutes of his appearance in the Square and felt he had to see him again and was so impressed. The talent of Derrin has been recognised by Bob Harris on his Saturday night radio show, playing some tracks over the last couple of weeks. The energy and power of the performance were influencing the audience in such a positive manner. Having seen Derrin on his last few visits it was great to hear the introduction of newly written songs. He said he is back in November - I will be there to see him as well as probably everyone else who witnessed another excellent set.
DAVID BAILEY - PACKET OF THREE APRIL 2006
For Mike Last it’s a warm-up gig, but revellers at Exeter’s Havana club on Friday night wouldn’t have known it. Prior to the ‘big one’ on 23rd in Poole supporting Ezio, Mike’s entertaining the crowds on the historic quayside and Havana is a bubbling cauldron of excitement. It’s well known as a restaurant but has the best stage and music set-up on the Exeter music scene and Mike’s doing the setting and the sound system justice with two full 45-minute sets. Much of the show is his new material together with a smattering of interpretations of other classics.
Working hard on recording his demos in advance of the release of his first CD has obviously honed the lyrics, melodies and arrangements to a fine point. Particularly fine is Mike’s live version of Coming Around, already a great song in demo form on www.mikelast.co.uk but made special by the subtlety of solo acoustic guitar work and the heartfelt ‘give it all’ performance. There’s a depth of emotion oozing from every phrase and the attentive audience are lapping it up. There’s an enthusiastic response to an offer to do requests and bouts of dancing erupts across the room. In a great rendition of Separate, the repeated lyrical phrases provide the most emotive part of the night. Whether the songs are wistful, rejected, accusing or contemplative, he makes you believe he’s lived it. It was a pleasure to be there to see an artist in the making. A warm up? It seemed pretty hot to me.
WHAT'S ON SOUTHWEST 18/09/2005
Molloys is the definitive Torbay Pub. It has all of the ingredients you would expect, including the essential weekly live music menu. What was great about this week’s blackboard special was that it was just that – live music. There are only a handful of performers left in the bay content with the simplicity of acoustic guitar and vocals, and to be honest it is refreshing to know that not everybody needs a karaoke machine.
Tonight’s performance was relaxed, spontaneous and unpredictable. That is to say that the song choices seemed completely impromptu, with some keen interaction from the crowd who were eager to test the performer’s repertoire. What’s particularly impressive is the passion Mike has for what he does. Choosing to play less frequently and more exclusively than most is possibly the key to harnessing such passion.
He is definitely not shy when it comes to holding debates with the audience between songs, which makes for a very cosy, informal evening. ‘It’s really a dream come true. Having the opportunity to connect with a room-full of people with just a guitar and a voice is quite special, you never really quite get used to it. Molloys has a unique atmosphere. It’s like ‘Cheers’ with live music. Everybody knows your name, and the crowd has discerning and varied musical taste. They’re really into it.’
This is a musician who carefully selects unusual and challenging songs to cover, and mixes in a quality selection of original compositions. Such a cocktail adds unique flavour to an emotive performance. Another Must-see from What’s on Southwest!
LOWE DOWN, HERALD EXPRESS 2003:
From graphic designer,to disc jockey, then onto live music as one half of the duo Don’t Panic, followed by a solo career which continues to go from strength to strength..and all this in less than six years. Quite how local vocalist Mike Last (pictured) has crammed so much into so little time beats me, because he has also been studying for a BA (Hons) Media Arts degree at Brunel University, and on April 6 this year he became a dad for the first time. And all that on top of a recent 15-week apres-ski engagement in France! Far from exhausted, though, Mike is still working at full-tilt, and to prove the point. he can be seen in action at The Old Mill In Belgrave Road. Torquay tonight, plus The Roundhouse in Paignton tomorrow. Then it's oft to London for a couple of weekend engagements, before returning home for a gig at Rococo's on Tuesday evening. Mike's repertoire contains hundreds of songs... from Beatles, stones and Dylan. to a variety of emotively delivered original songs.
LOWE DOWN, HERALD EXPRESS 2004:
Mike is a man of very many parts - Film maker shows his mettle!
THOSE of you who read my article last week about the charity CD being produced locally in aid of Devon Air Ambulance, may have spotted a passing reference to Mike Last and his fly-on-the-wall documentary. Mike, a graduate in film and media, has recently launched a video production company called craftyproductions.com, and he's currently following on camera, the daily developments surrounding the making of the CD. However, Mike Last's talents don't end there, not by a long chalk. Many local live music fans will know he has been a prominent figure in the Torbay scene for some time.
In fact, guitarist/vocalist Mike has been working the clubs and pubs around South Devon, and beyond, since 1998.
Prior to that, he spent five Years gigging across London and across Europe. I met up with mike recently, and he was keen to point out that he’s one of the few, if not the only local entertainer to be performing completely live with no backing whatsoever.
Mike says "This makes the show very versatile, spontaneous and interactive, bearing in mind the unusually wide range of material I cover.” He's been causing a bit of a stir on the local live music circuit in recent weeks. And to underline the point, he returns by public demand to the Spinning Wheel in Paignton on Sunday evening.
Meanwhile, any bookers, venue proprietors or event organizers who would like more information on Mike’s availability as either a solo performer, video production executive, should email mike@craftyproductions.com
