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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 and a tote: typewriters and exotic monsters…
I’m very pleased to share two brand new Penfriend t-shirt designs and a tote bag, available ...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 -
“I Need My Girl”…
Who better to tackle for my sad song challenge than The National? This is the second ...See more -
Red hair and attitude – “A-Hole” Live from the Archive (2008)
🎶 “Disarm” and my second album “Little Battles” are available on limited edition coloured vinyl – ...See more -
Sailor stripes and vocal loops – “Olympian” Live from the Archive (2012)
Another previously unseen video from my sprawling archive, this live and loopy performance of “Olympian” was ...See more -
Live from the Archive – “Let This Be” and “Slow Puncture” from 2010
In June 2010, three months before the release of my debut She Makes War album “Disarm”, ...See more -
“Exotic Monsters” Live from The Launchpad
On 29th June 2022 I beamed an online gig from my home studio The Launchpad into ...See more -
“Free In The Knowledge”…
I was a bit late to the party listening to The Smile, despite being a HUGE ...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 -
My Video Gear – 2022
People often ask me what gear I use to make my videos, so I’ll keep this ...See more -
Be more Kate Bush
Kate Bush’s 1985 song “Running Up That Hill” is top of the UK singles chart for ...See more -
A week in my life as an independent artist VLOG
I wanted to share an average week in my life as an independent artist BUT it ...See more -
Plans change…
…meet Luna the 8-week old Cavapoo puppy from Wales who’s taken over my life. I love ...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 -
It’s one year since THIS happened…
My first album under the name Penfriend (and my fifth solo album), “Exotic Monsters” marked the ...See more -
“Little Battles” mini gig experience
My second She Makes War album “Little Battles” just turned 10, so I celebrated with an ...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 -
Make that thing! How I write songs and why I stay independent
Answering your questions on how I make things work as an independent musician, music producer and ...See more -
Solitude isn’t selfish
Solitude is good for you – some would say it’s essential. I’ve been craving time alone ...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 -
“Little Battles” – (2012)
From 2009-2019 I made music under the name She Makes War, releasing 4 and a bit ...See more -
“Paper Thin” – live one take performance
On 23rd February 2022 I played an atmospheric acoustic online gig on my Luna Dolphin ukulele ...See more -
Reading this could have made me give up on my music career…
If you battle your inner critic on a regular basis – this one’s for you. I ...See more -
“Disarm” – my 2010 debut album
From 2009-2019 I made music under the name She Makes War, releasing 4 and a bit ...See more -
Can I be honest with you?
I was delighted to be invited onto one of my favourite podcasts recently – The James ...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 magic of live music, and being truly yourself
I’ve been performing in rooms full of other humans since I was 7 years old, and ...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 -
Watch my 3-song mini gig!
I have a mini gig for you – a giglet, if you will! Watch highlights from ...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 -
Resolutions don’t work. This does…
The 17th January is “Forget New Year’s Resolutions Day”. Did you know that? I believe everyone ...See more -
Casey Neistat made me do THIS
I started making videos again this year after discovering Casey Neistat’s vlogs 6 years late! Here ...See more -
Don’t read the comments.
Good advice, or just a pile of rubbish? Scroll down for the video transcript, and subscribe ...See more -
How to not suck at YouTube (like I did for 14 years)
We all start somewhere! Bridgerton superstar Regé-Jean Page played a Bowie-inspired zombie clown in my first ...See more -
What is a podcast? Where to find them and how to listen for FREE
I’ve been making a podcast for two years, and have been harbouring a funny feeling that ...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.
