I’m singing on Miles Hunt’s new song “Things Can Change”

I’m singing on Miles Hunt’s new song “Things Can Change”

Creativity Letterbox Music News Process

+ Listen to ”Things Can Change” here on Bandcamp.

+ Watch the “Things Can Change” video here.

In January 2022, one of my musical heroes invited me to contribute vocals to two of his new songs, and this video includes some glamorous behind the scenes shots of self-shooting some footage for his brand new music video.

Here’s to giving ourselves permission to do our own thing!


I was never invited to work in the music industry, so have had to find ways of overcoming my inner critic and giving myself permission to create my music, videos, podcast series and blog posts as an independent producer, songwriter and filmmaker.

“Sometimes people ask me what it’s like to work in the music industry, and, genuinely, that question baffles me. No-one ever asked me to come and work in the music industry, no-one hired me, or promoted my work, or paid me for my time. I don’t have any contact with the people who work there, I don’t know how it operates, really, and I’m pretty sure they’re unaware that I also work there, if indeed I do. It’s kind of like I just showed up at someone’s office, sat down at a desk and started doing stuff. No-one’s kicked me out yet, but I don’t get holiday and the boss always forgets to call me in for my annual review.

The great thing about all this, is that I get to make whatever I want – and so really it’s about giving yourself permission to make music, or paint, or draw, or whatever the thing is that you’re driven to create. I started writing songs seriously in 2005, and my main mission in life since then has been to increase the time per week that I’m able to make things. And for that, I don’t need anybody’s permission but my own. And nor do you.”


NEXT:

Subscribe to my channel for more videos xo

Listen to me and Miles Hunt on my podcast “Attention Engineer”:
Ep18: I interview Miles
Ep40: Miles interviews me


THANK YOU for visiting my website! I’m Laura Kidd, a music producer, songwriter and podcaster based in Bristol, UK. It’s great to meet you.

Get your copy of my new album “Exotic Monsters” right here.

+ Get two free songs immediately when you sign up for thoughtful letters about art and music.

+ Join my Correspondent’s Club for exclusive member perks, and to power the making of new music, videos and podcast episodes.

+ Browse episodes of my music podcast “Attention Engineer” here and subscribe via your favourite podcast platform.

+ You can also follow me around the web, on YouTubeTwitterInstagram and Facebook.

Have a lovely day xo



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Correspondent’s Club 007 – 25/4/22

Correspondent’s Club 007 – 25/4/22

Letterbox Music News Perks TCC

The seventh edition of The Correspondent’s Club quarterly music and zine bundle was created in March 2022.

The only way to get access to future Correspondent’s Club releases is to become a member – browse member perks here.

Track listing:

1. Penfriend Two Deep Dive (44 minute new album demo talkthrough)

Live from The Launchpad 02/22
2. Shields And Daggers
3. Dear Heart
4. The Best
5. Paper Thin
6. Seashaken
7. Delete
8. Scared To Capsize

Preview track: Penfriend Two Deep Dive (taster)

Ukulele or cavaquinho? Adventures in Portugal

Ukulele or cavaquinho? Adventures in Portugal

Creativity Letterbox Music News Process Productivity

I started playing the ukulele in 2008 after reading about George Harrison’s great love for the instrument, and have written many sad songs on it since. On a recent trip to Portugal I decided to find out about the precursor to the ukulele we know and love – the cavaquinho.

Come with me on an adventure to find a cavaquinho in Lisbon, and see what happens next!


NEXT:

+ Get my song “Seashaken” here
+ Get my album “Exotic Monsters” here

Huge thanks coolukulele.com for informing me about the ukulele’s history – read more here

And visit Cantinho da Regina if you’re ever in Sesimbra – she’s the best!

Subscribe to my channel for more videos xo


THANK YOU for visiting my website! I’m Laura Kidd, a music producer, songwriter and podcaster based in Bristol, UK. It’s great to meet you.

Get your copy of my new album “Exotic Monsters” right here.

+ Get two free songs immediately when you sign up for thoughtful letters about art and music.

+ Join my Correspondent’s Club for exclusive member perks, and to power the making of new music, videos and podcast episodes.

+ Browse episodes of my music podcast “Attention Engineer” here and subscribe via your favourite podcast platform.

+ You can also follow me around the web, on YouTubeTwitterInstagram and Facebook.

Have a lovely day xo



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“Little Battles” – (2012)

“Little Battles” – (2012)

Letterbox Music News

From 2009-2019 I made music under the name She Makes War, releasing 4 and a bit solo albums and playing nearly 600 shows.

“Little Battles” is available on vinyl for the first time ever right now, remastered for vinyl by Katie Tavini with new “cover version” artwork by Ben The Illustrator.

Recorded in East London in summer 2011 and released on my own label My Big Sister Recordings the following year, this album was generously funded by music fans via my first Pledge Music campaign. I was able to spend 33 days in the studio (double what I could afford for my debut “Disarm”) and realise my dreams of creating a deeper, more layered album.

Recorded just around the corner from the Hackney riots, London’s crackling tension is echoed within the 15 songs, but if love is a battlefield this album is a peaceful protest: honest and vulnerable, yet steely and sure of itself, all melancholy romance and wide-eyed hope for the future. It’s about collisions – analogue with digital, war with peace and technology with nature.

Stream the album in full below and subscribe to my channel for more videos xo


THANK YOU for visiting my website! I’m Laura Kidd, a music producer, songwriter and podcaster based in Bristol, UK. It’s great to meet you.

Get your copy of my new album “Exotic Monsters” right here.

+ Get two free songs immediately when you sign up for thoughtful letters about art and music.

+ Join my Correspondent’s Club for exclusive member perks, and to power the making of new music, videos and podcast episodes.

+ Browse episodes of my music podcast “Attention Engineer” here and subscribe via your favourite podcast platform.

+ You can also follow me around the web, on YouTubeTwitterInstagram and Facebook.

Have a lovely day xo



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“Paper Thin” – live one take performance

“Paper Thin” – live one take performance

Creativity Letterbox Music News Process Productivity

On 23rd February 2022 I played an atmospheric acoustic online gig on my Luna Dolphin ukulele and Boss RC30 loop pedal.

This song was released on my third album under the name She Makes War, and was a duet with the wonderful Tanya Donelly (Belly / Throwing Muses / Breeders).

+ Watch the music video featuring Tanya here.
+ Watch the three-song highlights from this livestream here.

Subscribe to my channel for more videos xo


THANK YOU for visiting my website! I’m Laura Kidd, a music producer, songwriter and podcaster based in Bristol, UK. It’s great to meet you.

Get your copy of my new album “Exotic Monsters” right here.

+ Get two free songs immediately when you sign up for thoughtful letters about art and music.

+ Join my Correspondent’s Club for exclusive member perks, and to power the making of new music, videos and podcast episodes.

+ Browse episodes of my music podcast “Attention Engineer” here and subscribe via your favourite podcast platform.

+ You can also follow me around the web, on YouTubeTwitterInstagram and Facebook.

Have a lovely day xo



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Reading this could have made me give up on my music career…

Reading this could have made me give up on my music career…

Creativity Letterbox Music News Process Productivity

If you battle your inner critic on a regular basis – this one’s for you. I received a standout email recently from a subscriber, and it was surprisingly freeing!

Receive free songs and stories immediately when you join my friendly list here.

[Hot tip: there’s an unsubscribe link on every one of my emails 🤣]

Subscribe to my channel for more videos xo


THANK YOU for visiting my website! I’m Laura Kidd, a music producer, songwriter and podcaster based in Bristol, UK. It’s great to meet you.

Get your copy of my new album “Exotic Monsters” right here.

+ Get two free songs immediately when you sign up for thoughtful letters about art and music.

+ Join my Correspondent’s Club for exclusive member perks, and to power the making of new music, videos and podcast episodes.

+ Browse episodes of my music podcast “Attention Engineer” here and subscribe via your favourite podcast platform.

+ You can also follow me around the web, on YouTubeTwitterInstagram and Facebook.

Have a lovely day xo



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“Disarm” – my 2010 debut album

“Disarm” – my 2010 debut album

Letterbox Music News

From 2009-2019 I made music under the name She Makes War, releasing 4 and a bit solo albums and playing nearly 600 shows.

My debut album “Disarm” was recorded and mixed in 17 days at the end of 2009, fan-funded via a Bandcamp pre-order and released on 1st September 2010.

“Disarm” is available on vinyl for the first time ever right now, remastered for vinyl by Katie Tavini with new “cover version” artwork by Ben The Illustrator.

Stream the album in full below and subscribe to my channel for more videos xo


THANK YOU for visiting my website! I’m Laura Kidd, a music producer, songwriter and podcaster based in Bristol, UK. It’s great to meet you.

Get your copy of my new album “Exotic Monsters” right here.

+ Get two free songs immediately when you sign up for thoughtful letters about art and music.

+ Join my Correspondent’s Club for exclusive member perks, and to power the making of new music, videos and podcast episodes.

+ Browse episodes of my music podcast “Attention Engineer” here and subscribe via your favourite podcast platform.

+ You can also follow me around the web, on YouTubeTwitterInstagram and Facebook.

Have a lovely day xo



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Can I be honest with you?

Can I be honest with you?

Creativity Letterbox Music News Process Productivity

I was delighted to be invited onto one of my favourite podcasts recently – The James McMahon Music Podcast. It was nerve-wracking being on the other side of questions for once, but James made me feel comfortable enough to share some pretty personal stuff.

In this video, I talk about how moving all the time and being bullied at school knocked my confidence, but trying and trying again to make music helped me grow. I also share the reason I stopped making my podcast “Attention Engineer” and why I changed my artist name from She Makes War to Penfriend. Plus, get a sneaky glimpse of my new studio room!

Subscribe to my channel for more videos xo


THANK YOU for visiting my website! I’m Laura Kidd, a music producer, songwriter and podcaster based in Bristol, UK. It’s great to meet you.

Get your copy of my new album “Exotic Monsters” right here.

+ Get two free songs immediately when you sign up for thoughtful letters about art and music.

+ Join my Correspondent’s Club for exclusive member perks, and to power the making of new music, videos and podcast episodes.

+ Browse episodes of my music podcast “Attention Engineer” here and subscribe via your favourite podcast platform.

+ You can also follow me around the web, on YouTubeTwitterInstagram and Facebook.

Have a lovely day xo



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Why I’m leaving The Launchpad

Why I’m leaving The Launchpad

Creativity Letterbox Music News Process Productivity

Hands up if you find working from home with your loved ones a *little bit* tough! Two full years of sharing a wall with my darling husband has come to a grateful end – I’m leaving my beloved home studio The Launchpad for a bigger, quieter space.

In this video I discuss Joseph Campbell’s concept of a “Bliss Station” (via Austin Kleon) to help YOU get the creative time and space you deserve, plus I explain what led to this decision and give you a sneak peek of my new room…

Subscribe to my channel for more videos xo


THANK YOU for visiting my website! I’m Laura Kidd, a music producer, songwriter and podcaster based in Bristol, UK. It’s great to meet you.

Get your copy of my new album “Exotic Monsters” right here.

+ Get two free songs immediately when you sign up for thoughtful letters about art and music.

+ Join my Correspondent’s Club for exclusive member perks, and to power the making of new music, videos and podcast episodes.

+ Browse episodes of my music podcast “Attention Engineer” here and subscribe via your favourite podcast platform.

+ You can also follow me around the web, on YouTubeTwitterInstagram and Facebook.

Have a lovely day xo



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Vocal loops and ukulele mini gig for you!

Vocal loops and ukulele mini gig for you!

Letterbox Music News

On 23rd February 2022 I played an atmospheric acoustic online gig on my Luna Dolphin ukulele and Boss RC30 loop pedal.

I’ve chosen three songs to share in this mini gig experience, all from my She Makes War back catalogue: “Delete” (“Little Battles”), “The Best” (“Direction Of Travel”) and “Scared To Capsize” (“Disarm”).

🎁 Studio quality recordings of the full-length gig are available for a limited time, pay what you want/can from Bandcamp.

📺 Watch the full live stream here.


THANK YOU for visiting my website! I’m Laura Kidd, a music producer, songwriter and podcaster based in Bristol, UK. It’s great to meet you.

Get your copy of my new album “Exotic Monsters” right here.

+ Get two free songs immediately when you sign up for thoughtful letters about art and music.

+ Join my Correspondent’s Club for exclusive member perks, and to power the making of new music, videos and podcast episodes.

+ Browse episodes of my music podcast “Attention Engineer” here and subscribe via your favourite podcast platform.

+ You can also follow me around the web, on YouTubeTwitterInstagram and Facebook.

Have a lovely day xo



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