Well Mudkiss has come to the end of another fantastic year, and actually the end altogether. (Yes, you read that correctly). Please read on.....

This is a message to all our friends, followers and countless contributors over the past 5 years and a half years.

"Anyone who has ever managed a long standing music webzine/ magazine will appreciate it takes a massive amount of dedication, organisational skills, time Managment and patience. Many hours are spent pouring over e- mails, following up PRs for passes, organising interviews, reviews, keeping up with what the team are doing, challenging issues with arise, social networking, and that's before you begin to edit the site. So there comes a time when you have to consider future plans and where to aim your arrow next year. 

As the new year is upon us the time is right to move forward with fresh ideas. I have deliberated and agonised over my next statement for a few months now. Therefore I have come to the decision which I have been dreading to say and that is to wind down mudkiss for the foreseeable future. My aim is to take more time out to concentrate on mudkiss photography and to just chill out a bit more, leave myself more time for personal pursuits. 

My lust for music has brought me in contact with some amazingly creative people and very often really nice too. I've had some amazing experiences which I'll never forget. Lots of other opportunities fell into our lap like being asked to take part in a radio show, then being offered our very own mudkiss show, (Pure Mudkiss) a regular slot on a TV music program (which was decline for location reasons). Mudkiss also had our very own one off live showcase event back in 2012. Four Mudkiss interview books have been self published and a photo calendar was published each year since we began. 

I think we can hand on heart say we achieved everything and more we ever hoped to when myself and Lorraine set out on our little music based hobby back in June 2008. 

It's been both a pleasure and privilege to be a part of the roller coaster journey into the music industry. I'd like to end with a few words from former Managing Editor Andy Barnes who when I told him a few weeks back of my intention he said so fittingly ' it's like the end of an era'.

(Mudkiss Facebook for now will remain and twitter. As for the www.mudkiss.com it will remain as an archive site) So I'd just like to say a BIG thanks to everyone for supporting us, playing a part in our lives and to everyone who has contributed to Mudkiss over the years" - Mel

Our 2013 highlights and favourites: We asked some of the Mudkiss team for their top five from the year. So we got books, photos, gigs, albums and errrrm cat biscuits...:-) Contributions from Mel, Eva, Svenja, Mary, Dick, Lee, Den, Paul, Gareth, and Mike. It went something like this....

Mudkiss Top Five: - Singles/EPs/Albums of 2013 - http://www.mudkiss.com/bestmusic2013.htm

Mudkiss Top Five Live Shows of 2013 - http://www.mudkiss.com/topfivegigsof2013.htm

The best books we read in 2013 - http://www.mudkiss.com/bestbooks2013.htm

 INTERVIEWS:

Peace: We're Kind Of In A Weird Space - Interview by James Lowther

http://www.mudkiss.com/peaceinterview.htm

Deadcuts: The World's A Beautiful & Fucked Up Place, There's Never A Dull Moment - Interview by Anne Johanna

http://www.mudkiss.com/deadcutsinterview.htm

Nick Mulvey - Simple Music, Adventurous Textures, That For Me Is Where I Put My Energies - Interview by Gareth Allen

http://www.mudkiss.com/nickmulveyinterview.htm

Terry Chimes:Whats All This About You Used To Be In A Band? - Interview by Melanie Smith 

http://www.mudkiss.com/terrychimesinterview.htm

The Ruen Brothers: Journey From Working Men's Clubs to Glastonbury - Interview by Paul Hastings

http://www.mudkiss.com/ruenbrothersinterview.htm

Stella Grundy: Interview With A Northern Star - by Nicky Crewe

http://www.mudkiss.com/stellagrundyinterview.htm

Blue October: Sway Is About Hope, Courage And Faith - Interview by Eva Jostakova

http://www.mudkiss.com/blueoctoberinterview.htm

Katatonia: I Want To Bring Back The Old Gory Element - Interview by Gareth Allen

http://www.mudkiss.com/katatoniainterview.htm

The Struts: Natural Born Performers - Interview by Nigel Cartner

http://www.mudkiss.com/thestrutsinterview.htm

Joe Foster: I'm Still Working I Haven't Died - Interview by Lee McFadden

http://www.mudkiss.com/joefosterinterview.htm

The Shimmer Band: Sending Chills Down The Spine - Interview by Nigel Cartner

http://www.mudkiss.com/theshimmerbandinterview.htm

Those Darlins: We Always Try To Create A Unique Atmosphere - Interview by Paul Hastings

http://www.mudkiss.com/thosedarlinsinterview2.htm

The Bedroom Hour: Putting The Music First - Interview by Nigel Cartner

http://www.mudkiss.com/thebedroomhourinterview.htm

The Obscure Department: The 3rd Mind Of Robert Coyne & Jaki Liebezeit - Interview by Jeremy Gluck

http://www.mudkiss.com/robertycoyneintervew.htm

Barb Wire Dolls: Punk Is Hard, Fast And Life Changing - Interview by Teddie Dahlin

http://www.mudkiss.com/barbwiredollsinterview2.htm

LIVE SHOWS:

Top Five Live Shows of 2013 as voted for by ten of our Mudkiss reviewers and photographers.

Eva Jostakova, Svenja Block, Melanie Smith, Paul Hastings, Dick Porter, Gareth Allen, Mary O'Meara, Mike Ainscoe, Den Browne, Lee McFadden

"We are hurtling towards the end of 2013, and to celebrate what a great year it has been for live music, some of us have put together a top five list of our favourite shows, which held special moments for us, so check them out."

http://www.mudkiss.com/topfivegigsof2013.htm

Black Veil Brides/ Heavens Basement/ The Smoking Hearts @ manchester Academy 19/12/13 (in photos)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/vivamel/sets/72157638886511116

Mr Peeps Christmas Party @ Gullivers, Manchester 06/12/13- With Kismet Ryding / Transister Baby / Stolen Haven / The Velocets

http://www.mudkiss.com/mrpeepschristmasparty13.htm

Peace / Drenge @ The Ritz, Manchester 11/12/13

http://www.mudkiss.com/peacelivemanchester.htm

Haim @ The Ritz, Manchester 08/12/13

http://www.mudkiss.com/haimmanchester.htm

The Doors Alive @ Manchester Academy 30/11/13 (in photos)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vivamel/sets/72157638238968034

The Fratellis / Cut Ribbon @ Manchester Academy 27/11/13

http://www.mudkiss.com/thefratellismanchester.htm

Desperate Journalist @ Upstairs At The Garage, London 21/11/13

http://www.mudkiss.com/desparatejournalistlive.htm

Barb Wire Dolls @ The Boulevard, Wigan 21/11/13 (in photos)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vivamel/sets/72157638211666333/

Sukh @ The Castle Hotel, Manchester - 24/11/13

http://www.mudkiss.com/sukhlivemanchester.htm

Dave Hause/ Northcote @ Gorilla, Manchester 16/11/13

http://www.mudkiss.com/davehausemanchester.htm

The Virginmarys / Vox Empire/ To The Bones @ Manchester Academy 22/11/13

http://www.mudkiss.com/thevirginmaryslive.htm

Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman @ The Willows Folk Club, Kirkham 13/11/13

http://www.mudkiss.com/kathrynrobsethlake13.htm

Gary Numan @ The Roundhouse, London 16/11/13

http://www.mudkiss.com/garynumanlondon13.htm

Nick Mulvey @ King Tut's Wah Wah Hut,, Glasgow 09/11/13

http://www.mudkiss.com/nickmulveylive.htm

Damnation Festival @ Leeds University Union 02/11/13

http://www.mudkiss.com/damnationfest2013.htm

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds @ Barrowlands, Glasgow 31/10/13

http://www.mudkiss.com/nickcaveglasgow.htm

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds @ Manchester Apollo 30/10/13

http://www.mudkiss.com/nickcavemanchester13.htm 

Bellowhead @ Parr Hall, Warrington 08/11/13

http://www.mudkiss.com/bellowheadlive.htm

Emily Barker & The Red Clay Halo / Chris T-T / Rachel Hillary @ St Philip’s Church, Salford 7/11/13

http://www.mudkiss.com/emilybarkerlive.htm

The Cult/ Bo Ningen @ Liverpool Academy 29/10/13

http://www.mudkiss.com/thecultliverpool.htm

Clean Bandit @ Gorilla, Manchester 24/10/13

http://www.mudkiss.com/cleabanditlivereview.htm

Honey @ Gaslights, Redruth 02/11/13

http://www.mudkiss.com/honeylive.htm

The Full English @ The Atkinson, Southport 25/10/13

http://www.mudkiss.com/thefullengish.htm

Marky Ramone's Blitzkreig @ The Electric Ballroom, Camden, London 23/10/13

http://www.mudkiss.com/markyramonelive.htm

Everything Everything/ The Dutch Uncles/ All We Are @ The Ritz, Manchester 12/10/13

http://www.mudkiss.com/everythinglive2013.htm

NEW MUSIC REVIEWS: - http://www.mudkiss.com/musicreviews.htm

December Singles 2013 - by Chumki Banerjee - http://www.mudkiss.com/singlesdec13.htm

As 2013 slips away, I grieve that time can never be retraced, that in the end we must all say goodbye, that ‘I will never look into your eyes again’. But before we must part, as this year fades into twilight, a final twelve tunes for Christmas, luminous lament to what has been, blinded by the light of what will be.

Singles:

• The Red Paintings - You're Not One Of Them
• Andrew London - When I Saw Your Ghost
• In The Valley Below - Stand Up
• SCNTST - Self Therapy
• The Belle Game - River
• Atlum Schema - Bottom Line
• HARTEBEEST - Death
• Jane Badler - Nursery Rhyme

Eps:

• Happyness - Happyness
• Eurielle- The Incarnation
• Manraze - I Surrender
• The Moth & The Flame - & 

December Album Reviews by Paul, Dick, Gareth, Anne, Mike - http://www.mudkiss.com/december2013albums.htm

• Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Live from KCRW
• Beans On Toast - Giving Everything
• Rebekka Karijord - Music For Film & Theatre
• Hold The Sun - Hold The Sun
• Dum Dum Girls - Too True
• Yeah And She Has Red Lips Too - The Lost Generation Suite
• Beastmilk - Climax
• Crystal Grenade - Lo! And Behold
• Anat Ben-David - MeleCh
• The Peckham Cowboys - 10 Tales From The Gin Palace
• Larry And His Flask - By The Lamplight
• The Delray Rockets - Strictly Not Fluffy
• American Dirt - Heavy Thought And Riddle
• Trick Mammoth - Floristry
• Five Finger Death Punch – The Wrong Side Of Heaven and The Righteous Side Of Hell - Vol 2
• Housewives - Housewives

December album of the month: The Velvet Underground - White Light White Heat - Review by Dick Porter

Chumki singles/Eps for December:

Singles:

          EPs:        

• Truly Ford - SuperNova
  
• Sincere Deceivers - Once More Unto
  
• Sundays - Of Eros and I
  
• Digital Farm Animals - Bugged Out
  
• Only Real - Days In The City
  
• Bat and Ball - We Prefer it in the Dark
  
• Death In Texas - Pluck
  

November album of the month: Brendan Benson - You Were Right - Review By Paul Hastings

November EP of the month: James Stevenson - The Shape Of Things To Come Review by Chumki Banerjee

November albums:

• The Road Home - Too Cold
• Future Monarchs - Weird Weather
• Blitzen Trapper - VII
• Stone Temple Pilots - High Rise
• Vamps (JPN) - Sex, Blood, Rock 'N' Roll
• The Bloodshots - On Fire
• Ninja Baby - Blue
• Kitrocket - Ants & Stars
• Lydia Loveless - Boy Crazy
• Northcote - Northcote
• Jake Evans - Easy On My Soul EP
• Kosheen - Solitude
• Motorhead - Aftershock
• Glassglue - Fantods (Klangbad)
• Buckcherry - Best Off
• Chris T-T & The Hoodrats - The Bear
• Emily Jane White - Blood/Lines
• Eurielle - The Incarnation EP
• Jump - The Black Pilgrim
• New Country Rehab - Ghost of Your Charms
• Pirate Copy - The Shape Of Piracy To Come EP
• The Cornelius Crane - The Cornelius Crane EP
• The Rubys - Silhoutte' and 'Sell The Sun At Once' singles
• Nick Raven - Love & Lomography
• Grip-Like Vice – Grip Like Vice (EP, self-released)
• Night Motor – Visceral Love (EP, self-released)
• Symbol Six - Symbol Six
• Polly Scattergood – Arrows
• Tides From Nebula - Eternal Movement
• Henry Priestman - The Last Mad Surge Of Youth
  

EVENTS:

Louder Than Words Festival 2013 @ The Palace Hotel, Manchester

http://www.mudkiss.com/louderthanwordsfest13.htm

BOOKS:

The Best Books We Read This Year by Melanie Smith, Den Browne, Dick Porter, Mike Ainscoe

http://www.mudkiss.com/bestbooks2013.htm

Something For Your Christmas Stocking?: December book reviews - by Mike Ainscoe, Paul Hastings, Mary O'Meara, Jeremy Gluck

http://www.mudkiss.com/bookreviews2013.htm

• The Strange Case of Dr Terry and Mr Chimes - Terry Chimes
• Last Shop Standing – Graham Jones
• Jim Morrison: The Lords. The New Creatures – Jerry Hopkins
• George Harrison : Behind The Locked Door -  Graeme Thomson
• Access All Areas - Teddie Dahlin
• Rush - The illustrated history - Martin Popoff
• A Passion Play ‘The Story Of Ian Anderson And Jethro Tull’ - Brian Rabey
• Look Wot I Dun ‘My life in Slade’ - Lise Lyng Falkenberg + Don Powell
• Strange requests and comic tales from record shops - Graham Jones
• Without frontiers - The life and music of Peter Gabriel - Daryl Easlea
• A Sense of Wonder - Van Morrison's Ireland - David Burke
  

Music Themed Photo Books - Reviewed by Lee McFadden & Philip Howe

http://www.mudkiss.com/decemberphotobooks13.htm

• Genesis Breyer P-Orridge (First Third Books)
• Set In Stone – Ian Tilton & Claire Caldwell (Omnibus Press)
• Elvis 1956 - Photographs by Alfred Wertheimer (Omnibus Press)
• Sex, & Drugs & Rock n Roll -  Chris Charlesworth (Omnibus Press)
• Glam - 'An Eyewitness Account' -  Mick Rock (Omnibus Press)
• Madonna Style by Carol Clerk / Stacy Appel (Omnibus Press) - coming soon

FEATURES:

The Local Music Scene In The South West: South West Rising by Dick Porter Featuring: Moriaty/ Honey / The Eyelids/ Pirate Copy / Mister Postman/ The Red Cords / Xeno/ Black Tambourines / Hold The Sun / Night Motor

http://www.mudkiss.com/southwestrising.htm

Rockabilly Rants: Christmas 2013 - by Coco Fierce

http://www.mudkiss.com/christmascocofierce.htm

Rockabilly Rants: Autobiographies - by Coco Fierce

http://www.mudkiss.com/autobiographies.htm

End................and this is truly the end my friend