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Why I shot a music video using Quicktime player and made it look like a Zoom call…
Originally released in December 2020, “Let It Snow” wasn’t just the first Obey Robots single, it ...See more -
Taking small steps
Comics class has been cancelled due to lack of interest, and my Zoom H6 Handy recorder ...See more -
A fresh direction for 2023
A snoozy day, punctuated by washing piles of soft furnishings and spraying the entire house with ...See more -
Free music for you, to end 22
As we approach the end of a particularly tough year, I’ve decided to collate all my ...See more -
“Super Connected” – Obey Robots
A song about the cognitive dissonance of feeling “super connected”: supposedly informed and part of a ...See more -
Pre-order the Obey Robots album today!
The day is finally here! I’m delighted to invite you to browse the Obey Robots “One In ...See more -
If “Anti-Hero” by Taylor Swift was indie rock…
Introducing a very special guest backing vocalist! Join my mailing list for free songs and stories, ...See more -
How to keep going.
Three steps to not quitting… Join my mailing list for free songs and stories, subscribe here ...See more -
Is Twitter DEAD?! 108,142 tweets…now what?
I joined Twitter on 23rd November 2007 and am looking at losing touch with nearly 15,000 ...See more -
FREE online gig 26/10/22 – “Sad songs to make you feel better”
The theme for my next FREE online gig is “sad songs to make you feel better”. ...See more -
This is your invitation
This is your invitation to directly support the creation of new music.To join a genuinely supportive ...See more -
Two new tees: typewriters and exotic monsters…
I’m very pleased to share two brand new Penfriend t-shirt designs, available now! These are extra ...See more -
Thank you (yes, YOU) x
I’ve been handling some really neggy comments recently, and I’m exhausted. After a long day of ...See more -
Moog Grandmother FAIL – why does this synth hate me?
I spent one of the hottest afternoons known to humanity trying to get one decent sound ...See more -
“Seashaken” by the sea
In April 2022 I spent a week in the Setubal area of Portugal, travelling up to ...See more -
My HIGH QUALITY music live stream setup for YouTube
I’ve been livestreaming my gigs on the internet since 2013, and I’m not stopping now! This ...See more -
For anyone feeling overwhelmed…
I made this video to help. I’ve been feeling completely overwhelmed lately, and I know I’m ...See more -
“Black Car” on Welcome To Night Vale!
I’m somewhat stunned and very excited to announce my song “Black Car” is The Weather on ...See more -
I’m singing on Miles Hunt’s new song “Things Can Change”
+ Listen to ”Things Can Change” here on Bandcamp. + Watch the “Things Can Change” video ...See more -
Ukulele or cavaquinho? Adventures in Portugal
I started playing the ukulele in 2008 after reading about George Harrison’s great love for the ...See more -
Why I’m leaving The Launchpad
Hands up if you find working from home with your loved ones a *little bit* tough! ...See more -
Vocal loops and ukulele mini gig for you!
On 23rd February 2022 I played an atmospheric acoustic online gig on my Luna Dolphin ukulele ...See more -
“Little Battles” + “Disarm” reissues + first-time on vinyl!
It’s astonishing to me that this April 9th marks the tenth anniversary of the release of ...See more -
The life-changing power of showing up
Showing up – again, and again and again – is the simple but surprisingly effective reason ...See more -
Gear and riff walkthrough with Rat from Ned’s Atomic Dustbin – Captain’s Vlog #3
For the first time in 30 years of music making, Rat from Ned’s Atomic Dustbin shares ...See more -
5 ways I’m failing…and why that’s okay
I’m doing my best – but I’m failing in several areas of my life at the ...See more -
Is it worth all this? 2022 plans + watch hours reveal
I share my music plans for 2022 – Obey Robots, She Makes War *and* Penfriend, oh ...See more -
7 down? Recording bass guitar for my new album at home – Captain’s Vlog 02
This month, I’m making an album with Rat from Ned’s Atomic Dustbin under the name OBEY ...See more -
How I record cover songs – “This Is The Sound”
In my twenties, I spent a few years running a covers band called Co-Star. Great name, ...See more -
HONEST (messy!) studio tour + recording an album in 19 days. Captain’s Vlog 01
I’m recording an album! In 2019, my friend Miles Hunt from The Wonder Stuff put me ...See more
Welcome to my website!
I’m Laura Kidd, a music producer, songwriter and digital polymath based in Bristol, UK, making music as Penfriend.
My latest album “Exotic Monsters” was released in May 2021, reaching #24 in the Official UK Album Chart and #5 in the Independent Album Chart. People power!
My mission is to encourage creativity in others by sharing my artistic process, plus thoughts on mindful productivity and digital minimalism, via my YouTube channel, Letterbox Blog and podcast series, “Attention Engineer”.
At the heart of the Penfriend project is The Correspondent’s Club, a generous, supportive and friendly community powering the making of all my new music, podcasts and videos.
