As I type these words, the results are in. It’s 5.51pm and I’ve been ignoring the internet all day, knowing that at some point a number will be assigned to my new album. It may well have been published somewhere online already, or is about to be.
So I thought I’d write to you before I read that number. Because, as I wrote to my Correspondent’s Club members this morning:
“We are not defined by things outside our control but by what we put into the world and how we carry ourselves. And I feel good about both of those things today.”
HUGEST thank you for your support and encouragement not only in this hectic week of album releasing, but since you first came across my work. It makes a huge difference knowing I have a friendly group of music fans to share my songs, words and videos with. You are appreciated.
Whatever numbers I read in a few minutes won’t change my belief in the album I shared with you last Friday, and the energy I have for continuing to create experiences around the songs on “House Of Stories”.
As I sang in “Emotional Tourist”: “I’m not finished”.
An album release is a new beginning, not just for those songs starting to find their homes in peoples’ lives and hearts, but for me to start the second hero’s journey of sharing them with people outside this lovely circle.
If you fancy helping me with that, I’ve created a webpage which gathers the album, videos and blog posts all in one handy place to easily share it with new people: http://penfriend.rocks/house-of-stories
Thank you!

Last time I put a record out (in 2023) it took so much out of me that I slumped into a long period where I didn’t write anything new. I’m not letting that happen this time.
Earlier this week I started excavating my piano from being surrounded by boxes of junk, and this morning I got myself set up to receive musical messages again. It feels good.
“Keep the channel open”, said Martha Graham. Too right.
I’m excited to keep sharing my new album “House Of Stories” with you in fun and creative ways over the coming weeks and months, but alongside that I’m commencing experiments for solo album 7.
Channel open. Let’s go x
Drum roll please…
“House Of Stories” is:
#2 in the Independent Albums Chart
#2 in the Downloads Chart
#10 in the CD Albums Chart
#11 in the Vinyl Albums Chart
#11 in the Scottish Albums Chart
#74 in the Official Albums Chart
And…it’s the fourth highest charting new entry this week.
Wow.
THANK YOU. You did this!
Now: go and have a lovely weekend. You deserve it.
Love,
Laura xxx

