Tea & Empathy Episode 003

Authenticity is a word we hear all the time, especially in relation to how we should present ourselves online. After something big happened recently, I wanted to talk about why I NEVER lie.

-> Order Andy J. Pizza & Sophie Miller’s ACE new book “Invisible Things” here (and support this channel at the same time)
-> Visit the “Invisible Things” site here
-> Then listen to Creative Pep Talk (it’s my fave!)

This is Episode 3 of “Tea & Empathy” – watch the rest here xo

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My new Penfriend album “House Of Stories” is available NOW on super limited vinyl, CDs and KiT hybrid digital albums, with accompanying tees, hoodies and books. Music fans got it to #2 in the Official UK Independent Album Chart in April 2025. Bonkers!

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Listen to my first Penfriend album “Exotic Monsters” and browse my back catalogue here.

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See you soon xo

PS yes, my songs are available everywhere else you listen to music online.
Just search for Penfriend, She Makes War and Obey Robots.

You could even subscribe here to send a message to the algorithm overlords that Penfriend rocks!

Better still

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Remember when Pledge Music stole our money?!

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News Process

For this new article I was invited to share my thoughts on how artists can take control of their online presence, instead of leaving it all in the hands of big companies who don’t care about us.

After Pledge Music folded in early 2019, stealing £6000 of my fans’ money aka the profit from my 2018 album “Brace For Impact”, I created my own Patreon-style membership club.

I invited everyone on my mailing list to join, and since February 2019 I have been able to do this weird and wonderful job full-time, instead of frantically freelancing in the day, trying to write songs at night and putting albums out every few years.

This is an unusual state of affairs. Most music makers have to juggle making their art with paid work doing other things. There’s nothing wrong with that, and the art isn’t any better or worse because the artist has to support themselves in other ways – but wouldn’t it be lovely if more of us could have a bit more time to make the things you love?

I’ve always been a grafter, and I enjoyed my freelance career making videos, taking photos and doing all sorts of digital bits and pieces – BUT I love what I do now way more. It’s what I’m best at, and I am forever grateful and thankful to everyone who’s:

– been a member of The Correspondent’s Club (and Supersub Club before it)
– crowdfunded or pre-ordered one of my albums
– bought music or merch from Bandcamp or my shop or at a gig
– come to see me play
– said hi and been friendly online

We’re in this together! If you’re in a position to support the artists you love by picking up music or merch please do, and if you’re not – PLEASE subscribe to their YouTube channels (hint hint), like and comment on their posts and, if you feel like it, send a compliment their way.

It all adds up to a really wonderful feeling of community, and spurs us on to keep making songs for you.

For my part, I’ll continue sharing how and why I do things, to help anyone else who wants to be more creative in their own lives.

Sending big love
Laura xxx

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Should you join Threads? Here’s a better question…

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Mindfulness Process

“Oh no, not another one!” I hear you cry, as Meta’s Twitter-like new social media platform Threads takes hold. I’ve been having a nice time on there, but wanted to offer this alternative viewpoint that applies to all social media platforms.

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AI RUINED my album artwork! Photoshop Generative FAIL

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Process

I got excited about using Photoshop’s new Generative Fill tool to make AI versions of my album covers…then things got weird.

Browse my back catalogue here please and thank you xo

READ: “AI Is a Lot of Work” on The Verge

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Let’s talk ROBOTS // Tea & Empathy Ep 002

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Process

Let’s talk about my side project Obey Robots, answering your questions about how our album “One In A Thousand” was written and telling the story of the band name – Potsdam! Bike tour! Ghastly snappers with selfie sticks! I also unbox my awesome new microphone and show you some other exciting bits of post.

Shop music and merch direct from meeeeee

This is Episode 2 of “Tea & Empathy” – watch the rest here

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Why being yourself is ALWAYS the best choice! Du Blonde x Penfriend // Creative Spaces 003

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Process

Welcome to episode 3 of my Creative Spaces series. Strap in for some big laughs, and bear in mind…there’s swearing.

We talk about Beth’s essentials for recording albums from home, how painting the walls with pink cow print affected their creativity, and how much we both absolutely adore fielding unsolicited comments from internet people with no music credentials. Hi, Jeff2789!!

Explore Du Blonde’s world here.

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UNBELIEVABLE. Solidarity with Billy Nomates / Tor Maries // Tea & Empathy Ep 001

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Mindfulness

AKA how not everything is for you, and how music criticism is different from bullying. I share a few thoughts on the barrage of abuse Tor aka Billy Nomates received for doing THE JOB SHE WAS HIRED TO DO by Glastonbury Festival / BBC 6 Music on the weekend. She earned that slot!

This is the first in a new series called “Tea & Empathy” – use the comment section to send me any questions you’d like answering, or topics you’d like to suggest for future episodes xo

PS yes, I suppose this first one is “Beer & Empathy” – it was too hot in Paphos for tea!

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How selfies fixed my self confidence (gear + how & why to)

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox

Not every person you see on the internet is super confident – I’m certainly not! A few years ago I decided I wanted to make a change, and taking self portraits using my camera, a tripod and a wireless shutter release button connected to my phone has made a HUGE difference to my ability to share my thoughts online.

I made this video to encourage you to at least think about giving it a try yourself: I talk about the mindset behind it, list the basic equipment you need and show exactly how I do it!

Life is too short to let our perceived visual imperfections get in the way of sharing our voices to help others, so please leave a comment with any questions you have about anything discussed in this video.

You can do this!

Love, Laura xxx

PS click through to YouTube to get links to my friend Jane’s book plus all the equipment I talked about

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I waited TEN YEARS for this!

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox

I’ve been livestreaming solo music performances for 10 years, using lots of different setups. Some worked well, some were a nightmare. It’s hard to focus on your performance and find time to experiment when things aren’t plug-and-play – enter the Boss Gigcaster 8!

Get Gigcaster 8 / 5 here.

I was super excited to try this out, and I’m thankful to Roland/Boss for sending me this incredible piece of gear as a gift. Please note: I was under no obligation to say anything nice, or anything at all, and my opinions will always be honest.

Watch my full performance of “Olympian” here
Watch my previous livestream setup video here (Logic Pro X into OBS + tips on how to play to no-one)

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How to use a loop pedal. Vocal performance of “Olympian” (Boss RC-30 via Gigcaster 8)

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox

This performance was live-streamed on Saturday 10th June 2023 as a test of the Boss Gigcaster 8 – huge thanks to Roland/Boss for the gift!
This song appears on my debut album “Disarm”, released in 2010 under the name She Makes War. Browse my back catalogue at http://shop.penfriend.rocks

Subscribe to my channel for more xo

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Category: Letterbox

Why I NEVER lie // Tea & Empathy Episode 003

NEXT

Remember when Pledge Music stole our money?!

NEXT

Should you join Threads? Here’s a better question…

NEXT

AI RUINED my album artwork! Photoshop Generative FAIL

NEXT

Let’s talk ROBOTS // Tea & Empathy Ep 002

NEXT

Why being yourself is ALWAYS the best choice! Du Blonde x Penfriend // Creative Spaces 003

NEXT

UNBELIEVABLE. Solidarity with Billy Nomates / Tor Maries // Tea & Empathy Ep 001

NEXT

How selfies fixed my self confidence (gear + how & why to)

NEXT

I waited TEN YEARS for this!

NEXT

How to use a loop pedal. Vocal performance of “Olympian” (Boss RC-30 via Gigcaster 8)

NEXT