“The Life Of The Party” – Penfriend

Get this song PLUS THREE more immediately when you order your copy of my new album “House Of Stories”, out 18^th April 2025.

The album is available on super limited edition vinyl colours, signed CD and KiT hybrid digital format, with tees, hoodies and hardback books to accompany the music
https://shop.penfriend.rocks/collections/penfriend-house-of-stories

A song for the introverts, for the bruised hearts, for the blushing ones fed up with holding it all inside.

Sometimes the past won’t let us go, but if we turn and face it, we can take action to dull the blows. We can heal ourselves.

This is a call to tell our stories – to ourselves and others. Our voices matter.

I wrote this song in one day in October 2023. Sometimes a song falls from the sky, and my job is to catch hold of it and nurture it.

This song helped heal me. Now it’s yours.

THANK YOU.

VIDEO CREDITS
Directed and shot by Laura Kidd at The Carousel, Nottingham, and edited in The Launchpad. Additional filming and warm support by Tim Bailey.

SONG CREDITS
Written, produced, performed, and recorded by Laura Kidd in The Launchpad, Nottingham.
Piano by Jay Chakravorty.
Drums by Max Saidi.
Mixed by Chris Sheldon.
Mastered by Katie Tavini.

HUGEST THANKS to The Correspondent’s Club. I can’t do this without you xxx

LYRICS

When did the light fade out of your eyes?
When did the life drain out of mine?
Now when the storm comes I’m ready to run
How do you explain what we’ve become?

Just wait
Don’t leave yet
Don’t second guess

I’m not the life of the party
I’m the light, I’m the light, I’m the light

I dream of a birthday – on my birthday
Chocolate cake in my hands – don’t take my hand
The gentlest fiction for my crash land

It shouldn’t surprise me – you surprise me
The mess that we’re in – this mess we’re in
Cos if it’s not raining it’s threatening – is threatening

Don’t leave
You’re never known me
Just listen

I’m not the life of the party
I’m the light, I’m the light, I’m the light

Where did the love go out of your kiss?
Why does it always come back to this?

I’m not the life of the party
I’m the light, I’m the light
I’m not the life of the party
I’m the light, I’m the light
I’m not the life of the party
I’m the light, I’m the light
I’m the light

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See you soon xo

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“Space, Man” – Penfriend

by Laura Kidd House Of Stories Letterbox Music News Releases Singles Space, Man

It could have been so great. They could have been heroes. But no. The internet made us disconnected, but they’re on another planet.

Maybe it was always like this, only now we can tune in at any time of day and hear the details. We watch, open-mouthed, as they get away with it. Criminal activity, noxious views, obscene gestures – anything goes when you have all the money in the world and a platform to spew from.

Living in a permanent state of cognitive dissonance is exhausting. Let’s disobey, let off steam, take care of each other and never, ever, give up.

VIDEO CREDITS
Directed and shot by Laura Kidd at The Createry, Nottingham, edited in The Launchpad. Additional filming and alien wrangling by Tim Bailey.

SONG CREDITS
Written, produced, performed, and recorded by Laura Kidd in The Launchpad, Nottingham.
Drums by Max Saidi.
Mixed by Chris Sheldon. Mastered by Katie Tavini.

HUGEST THANKS to The Correspondent’s Club. I can’t do this without you xxx

LYRICS

Spaceman
Floating in your tin can
Furious at everyone
Will you go straight for the gun?
Coulda woulda shoulda done
Still you go
Straight for the gun

Are we ecstatic or just numb?
Pushing through the bodies as we run
Boil the water slowly so we forget to scream
Pick out the wrong side
So we can just fight

Spacequeen
Louder than you should have been
Blowing it to smithereens
Still you go
Straight for the gun
“Unbelievable scenes”
Cos you go
Straight for the gun

Are we ecstatic or just numb?
Pushing through the bodies as we run
Boil the water slowly so we forget to scream
Pick out the wrong side
So we can just fight

It’s too late
Let your lies drag you under
Tell me what you want now
Can you tell me?
Tell me what you want now
You’ve got nothing to say anyway
Tell me what you want now
It’s all so strange, strange, strange
Tell me what you want now
You’ve got nothing to say
Nothing to say
Nothing to say

Spaceman
Could have been the biggest bang
But you go
Straight for the gun
Are we ecstatic or just numb?
Pushing through the bodies as we run
Boil the water slowly so we forget to scream

Pick out the wrong side
So we can just fight
Pick out the wrong side
So we can just fight
Pick out the wrong side
So we can just fight

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“Emotional Tourist” – Penfriend

by Laura Kidd Emotional Tourist House Of Stories Letterbox Music News Releases Singles

Songs can mend moments. Art stretches time, giving me a chance to walk back into the room and say what I wouldacouldashoulda. Giving me the power to walk out.

“Emotional Tourist” is a fiery anthem* for anyone who’s suffered at the hands of bullies, creeps and narcissists. Fielding comments – or worse – on your appearance, your weight, your life choices. Painted into a corner by politeness, with an inability to believe someone could truly be that awful – and be doing it on purpose, too.

Just me? Sadly not.

11 years ago, faced with my soon-to-be-ex’s final attempts to extinguish my creativity I did manage to get out, but there was no blaze of glory. Real life is usually quieter than that.

I know I’m one of the lucky ones.

“Emotional Tourist” is a chance for me to rewrite my story in that blaze of glory – 3 minutes 40 seconds of foot-stomping, fist-wielding synth rock.

Because when events from the past refuse to stay there, the only thing to do as a songwriter is stab them in the eye with the blade of truth.

“You reap what you sow.”

* PS: my rule on such bragging is: if someone else (who isn’t a friend and doesn’t live with me) calls the song an anthem, I can call the song an anthem…

VIDEO CREDITS
Directed, shot and edited by Laura Kidd.

Additional filming and warmest encouragement from Tim Bailey, my actual hero (can you spot his lovely face near the end of the video?)

Paper house crafted by LK, with a cameo from the Christmas tree fairy Sarah-Jane Osborne made for me a few years ago, when I went by the name She Makes War. Thank you, S-J!

PS I’m playing my beloved Reverend Double Agent OG in this video.

SONG CREDITS
Written, produced, performed, and recorded by Laura Kidd in The Launchpad, Nottingham.
Drums by Max Saidi.
Mixed by Chris Sheldon. Mastered by Katie Tavini.

HUGEST THANKS to The Correspondent’s Club. I can’t do this without you xxx

LYRICS

You think I’m an emotional tourist
But you don’t know how deep I go
Holding tight, but I’m lost in this forest
And there’s no sign of my hero
So I guess I’ll just sleep in the snow

It’s like this –
The lure of a late night kiss
A situation that shouldn’t exist
Now I’m trapped in a house in the humdrum
With a cut-price narcissist
– Now I’m trapped in a house with a poisoned mind

He tells me to give up my dream
The thing I’ve wanted since I was 13
Or I’m not on his team
Now there’s smoke in the house
And I didn’t even think to scream

You reap what you sow, motherfucker / lazy lover
Go
Go, go

You think I’m an emotional tourist
But you don’t know how deep I go
Holding tight, but I’m lost in this forest
And there’s no sign of my hero
So I guess I’ll just sleep in the snow

I’m not finished

That’s two years I’ll never get back
I’m sick of hearing
I’m too fat
I’m too boring
I’m too this
I’m too that

He said I couldn’t make him feel
That I shouldn’t write about what’s real
Then he lit that match
Oh well – what’s a girl to do?

You reap what you sow, motherfucker / lazy lover
Go, go
I hope you know
You reap what you sow
So go

I hope you choke

You think I’m an emotional tourist
But you don’t know how deep I go
Holding tight, but I’m lost in this forest
And there’s no sign of my hero
So I guess I’ll just sleep in the snow
I guess I’ll just sleep in the snow

You think I’m an emotional tourist
But you don’t know how deep I go
Holding tight, but I’m lost in this forest
And there’s no sign of my hero
So I guess I’ll just sleep
And you can just weep in the snow

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It’s “Our Last Christmas” (a fictional prequel to the Wham! classic)

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News Releases Singles

Get your FREE copy of “Our Last Christmas” by Penfriend here or search for it wherever you listen to music online.

40 years after “Last Christmas” changed the festive singalong forever, “Our Last Christmas” is here to shed light and nuance on an innocent love story gone sour.

The fictional prequel to the biggest Christmas banger of all time, a festive tale of love, understanding and the particular resignation that, when you break a songwriter’s heart, they’re probably going to write about it.

We all get carried away sometimes, taking steps down a road that steals us further away from our true selves. That awkward, sinking feeling when we realise we’ve made a mistake, led someone on with the best intentions. The conversation where we try to explain.

Like milk left out on a hot day, love can turn so quickly to something else, and – if you’re (un)lucky enough to be dating a songwriter – you brace yourself for the inevitable lyrical backlash.

Empathy is always an option, and my fictional retelling has it in spades, as our protagonist sends her spurned lover off with openhearted wisdom as she steps into her own changed future.

It’s easier to make a cartoon of someone who hurt you than to see their side of the story – and there’s always another side to the story.

“Our Last Christmas” is proof that we can’t always get what we want, but if we try sometimes we just might get what we need.

There’s always another side to the story.

Happy holidays! xxx

VIDEO CREDITS
Directed, shot and edited by Laura Kidd.

SONG CREDITS
Produced, performed, recorded and mixed by Laura Kidd in The Launchpad, Nottingham.

With HUGE thanks and maximum respect to George Michael for 40 years of musical inspiration.

I’ve never understood the “Whamageddon” thing, I love hearing “Last Christmas” and will happily spend every December in “Whamhalla” – see you there?

LYRICS

It’s our last Christmas
Our last Christmas

My friends think you are trouble
But I like your leather coat
The bad boy in the kitchen
With the world in every note

It’s our last Christmas
Our last Christmas

But I don’t want you to go
Not like this
So give me one more kiss

You made a fuss of cooking
But something won’t compute
You seem to like my brother
And I think your sister’s cute

It’s our last Christmas
Our last Christmas

But I don’t want you to go
Not like this
So give me one more kiss

It’s honestly fine
We’ll be just friends
And I’ll tell my family

Promise me this
Come over and give me one last kiss
And promise you’ll write a global hit
Come over and give me one last Christmas kiss
x

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Stars and spangles: “Elephant”: the video

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Releases Singles

“Elephant” by Obey Robots features on our album “One In A Thousand”, out 24th February 2023 and available here.

Someone said the thumbnail of this video makes me look like I’m in an episode of Doctor Who, and I am here for that.

VIDEO CREDITS
Directed, shot and edited by Laura Kidd.
Filmed in the corner of Rat’s messy attic in the Midlands and in the middle of Laura’s messy home studio in Bristol. Luna tried to get on camera, but it wasn’t the right time. Can you spot her in this one though?

SONG CREDITS
Produced by Laura Kidd in The Launchpad, Bristol.
Mixed by Chris Sheldon at Red Cedar, London, mastered by Katie Tavini at Weird Jungle, Brighton.
All music by Laura Kidd and Rat. Guitars by Rat.
All lyrics, arrangements, vocals, bass and synths by Laura.
Drums by Max Saidi.

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“Elephant” – Obey Robots

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Music News Releases Singles

Taut and propulsive, “Elephant” marries the pop nouse of XTC with the stop-start dynamics of 00’s post-hardcore mainstays Hundred Reasons before opening up into the kind of shimmering chorus that would have shot Obey Robots to MTV stardom had it been the 90’s.

Pre-order the Obey Robots album “One In A Thousand” now and receive this track PLUS four more immediately.

Shop limited edition vinyl, signed CDs, cassettes, tees, hoodies, lyric books and guitar pick tins.

SONG CREDITS
Produced by Laura Kidd.
Mixed by Chris Sheldon. Mastered by Katie Tavini.

All music by Laura Kidd and Rat, all lyrics and arrangements by Laura Kidd. All vocals and bass by Laura, all guitars by Rat. Drums by Max Saidi.

Rat’s guitars recorded by Dan Austin. All other instruments recorded by Laura in The Launchpad, Bristol.

Single artwork by Laura Kidd, robot illustration by Alex Tillbrook.

LYRICS

Newspaper shouts that we’ve had enough
The radio says we’re all out of love
Don’t let them take what you worked hard for
Slaving away for your family
There’s nothing left for the strangers who bleed
Hold tight to the things that you value

Thank your lucky stars
Look to the future
There’s freedom in guitars

We try to get it right
Fight the forces on the other side
Just a little longer
Unbandaging our eyes
Count the seconds as they crystallise
It’s just a little further

The government says we’re overrun
They get a break while you soldier on
Cos you don’t have the life that you deserve
You’re working hard for your family
There’s nothing else, you believe what you read
This wasn’t given to you on a plate

Don’t politicise
Stick to the music
Dance for a little while
Always scraping the barrel
Parroting lines
I’ve never felt so angry

We try to get it right
Fight the forces on the other side
Just a little longer
Unbandaging our eyes
Count the seconds as they crystallise
It’s just a little further

We’re wasting time
Don’t want to feel so bad
We’re wasting time
And it was all we had

We try to get it right
Fight the forces on the other side
Just a little longer
Unbandaging our eyes
Count the seconds as they crystallise
It’s just a little further

We try to get it right
Fight the forces on the other side
Just a little longer
Unbandaging our eyes
Losing hours as they hypnotise
It’s always a little further than we can

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Yes, we made these costumes ourselves…

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Releases Singles

“Porcupine” by Obey Robots features on our album “One In A Thousand”, out 24th February 2023 and available here.

The only reviews I care about are from music fans…here are some words on “Porcupine”:

“Damned fine. Catchy, driving tune allied to pleasingly daft day-go visuals” – author Ian Rankin

“90s guitar mated with 80s synth to make a 2023 musical gem of a baby. love it.” – TheHousePanther

“an absolute hoot!” – Jo

“You Robots know how to party!” – Joe

“Awesome riff, hilarious video, cracking song! Love it!!! “ – Gary

“SO FUN! Love this!” – Wendy

“Killer riff, great vocal, and a hugely fun video to go with them. Well played, again. This album is going to be a belter.” – Matt

“Pink wafers for the win.” – PupGeorge

“That was absolutely bonkers and I love it!” – Vince

“What fabulous nonsense! I will practice dance moves for any live performance you put on – even if I’m not attending” – Shane

“every part of this is utterly delightful!” – Dan

“I am a porcupine!” – Jez

THANK YOU

I’d had this video idea in mind for months, and when it came time to make it a reality the timing was perfect.

New Year, new outlook. It was time to throw off the bad bits of 2022 and be as utterly silly as we liked. Who cares?

I’m a porcupine! You’re a porcupine!

The song is about defensiveness (particularly on the internet); our seemingly innate urge to throw up our spikes right away to defend ourselves by caricaturing the opposition, magnified by addictive media.

We’re told “there’s nothing new under the sun”…bring me another song containing the words “erethizontidae” and “hystricidae” accompanied by a video featuring a cardboard robot party in the local village hall and I’ll agree with you!

PS the last few “I’m a Porcupine” tees are for sale here.

VIDEO CREDITS
Directed and edited by Laura Kidd
DOP – Sarah Smither
Camera and lighting assistant – Miles McDowell
Set photography, porcupine creation and general wonderfulness – Tim Bailey
Costumes by Rat & Laura (obviously!)
Filmed at Shirehampton Public Hall, Bristol

SONG CREDITS
Produced by Laura Kidd in The Launchpad, Bristol.
Mixed by Chris Sheldon at Red Cedar, London, mastered by Katie Tavini at Weird Jungle, Brighton.
All music by Laura Kidd and Rat. Guitars by Rat.
All lyrics, arrangements, vocals, bass and synths by Laura.
Drums by Max Saidi.

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Why I shot a music video using Quicktime player and made it look like a Zoom call…

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Music News Process Releases Singles

Originally released in December 2020, “Let It Snow” wasn’t just the first Obey Robots single, it was the first song we completed (in December 2020!).

It was a test:

-> can we make music together?
-> do we love what we made?
-> does anyone want to hear it?

If the answer to the first two questions had been “no”, you would never have heard of Obey Robots. And if the answer to the second question was “yes”, the answer to the third question would never stop me anyway.

Happily, the answer to the second question was HELL YES! – and the overwhelmingly positive response from music fans was the icing on the cake. A cake full of riffs!

For this new video, I decided to invite you in to get a sense of what the collaboration process was like for Rat and I.

By December 2020 we’d only met in person twice, so all communication was by email and occasional Zoom calls. We were always speaking from our individual creative spaces, which I think helped us both to feel more confident talking to someone we didn’t know that well.

I got so used to seeing Rat on my computer screen that it still surprises me when we meet up – he’s very tall!

Most of the video was shot using Quicktime player. We’ve all grown perhaps too familiar with the particular quality of footage you get on video calls, so I wanted to retain that to bring you right into the middle of things.

All the footage up to the instrumental was shot individually and separately: me in my home studio, Rat in his. And then – well, I don’t want to ruin the plot twist, you’ll just have to watch!

Being creative doesn’t require fancy equipment or a big team of people. You can achieve a lot with just an idea, some basic gear and the drive to complete something. That’s how our album was made, and how everything else we’re sharing is being made. That’s how I’ve always worked.

This is real people making real music about real things. I hope you enjoy it.

Love,
Laura xo

-> PRE-ORDER “One In A Thousand” by Obey Robots now – out on 24th February 2023! You’ll receive four songs immediately, with another beaming into your inbox before the album release.

Thank you for supporting independent music!

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“Super Connected” – Obey Robots

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Music News Releases Singles

A song about the cognitive dissonance of feeling “super connected”: supposedly informed and part of a community via social media, yet deluded if we think typing words into a little box is enough to show empathy to people in very different situations to our own comfort. “If we’re super connected, why aren’t we all floating in the sea?”

Pre-order the Obey Robots album “One In A Thousand” now and receive this track PLUS “Not The Quiet Type” immediately PLUS a new song in your inbox every six weeks leading up to the release date of 24th February 2022.

Shop limited edition vinyl, signed CDs, cassettes, tees, hoodies, lyric books and guitar pick tins.

VIDEO CREDITS
Directed and edited by Laura Kidd.
DOP – Sarah Smither.
Right-hand woman + set photography – Charlie Romijn
Set assistants/extras – Megan Green, Leanne Bond & Kit Crew-Gee
Set photographer – Kate Feast

Shot at Boom Satsuma, Bristol. Huge thanks to Freya Billington, Phil Zikking and David Neal.

SONG CREDITS
Produced by Laura Kidd in The Launchpad, Bristol.
Mixed by Chris Sheldon at Red Cedar, London, mastered by Katie Tavini at Weird Jungle, Brighton.

All music by Laura Kidd and Rat. Guitars by Rat. All lyrics, arrangements, vocals, bass, synths, drum programming and lead guitar by Laura.

LYRICS

I drew a target on the back of my neck
Cos some are more equal than others
Disaster junkies scrape bottomless feeds
As long as their self-satisfaction’s guaranteed

We hold on to life, like everyone tries
If we’re super connected
Why aren’t we all floating in the sea?

Stuck with myself, I run for my health
Cos these pretty flowers can kill you
Send bottles downstream in an alkaloid dream
Share in this delusion where no-one hears you scream

We hold on to life, like everyone tries
If we’re super connected
Why aren’t we all floating in the sea?

Join my mailing list for free songs and stories, subscribe here for future videos and get involved from the start of Penfriend album #2 by joining The Correspondent’s Club.

Have a lovely day! xo

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“Not The Quiet Type” – Obey Robots

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Music News Releases Singles

“Featuring the iconic guitar sound of Rat (Ned’s Atomic Dustbin) and the compassionate melodic arrangements of Laura Kidd (Penfriend / She Makes War), “Not The Quiet Type” implores the listener to stop chasing perfection and step fully into themselves and their perceived imperfections.”

No experience is truly wasted. Try, fail and try again. Be yourself, fall in love, get it all terribly wrong and get back up.

You’ve got this.

Pre-order the Obey Robots album “One In A Thousand” now and receive this track immediately PLUS a new song in your inbox every six weeks leading up to the release date of 24th February 2022.

Shop limited edition vinyl, signed CDs, cassettes, tees, hoodies, lyric books and guitar pick tins.

CREDITS
Produced by Laura Kidd in The Launchpad, Bristol. Mixed by Chris Sheldon at Red Cedar, London, mastered by Katie Tavini at Weird Jungle, Brighton. All music by Laura Kidd and Rat. All lyrics, arrangements, vocals, bass, and synths by Laura. All guitars by Rat. Drums by Max Saidi.

LYRICS

Goodbye, a little sigh
Sticking fingers in my eyes
Out of time, out of sight
So I’ll try another night

I won’t regret all the hours that I spent
I’m not here to make amends
I am not the quiet type

Destruction makes us stronger
We will always get it wrong
So fall to pieces, fall apart
We’ll stick it back together

Am I being interesting?
Turning cheek and fighting spin?
Finding comfort in my skin?
Imperfection’s always in

I won’t regret all the hours that I spent
I’m not here to make amends
No, I’m not the quiet type!

Destruction makes us stronger
We will always get it wrong
So fall to pieces, fall apart
We’ll stick it back together

Destruction makes us stronger
We will always get it wrong
So fall to pieces, fall apart
Then get back up

Destruction makes me stronger
I will always do my best
So fall to pieces, fall in love
We’ll stick it back together

Join my mailing list for free songs and stories, subscribe here for future videos and get involved from the start of Penfriend album #2 by joining The Correspondent’s Club.

Have a lovely day! xo

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Category: Singles

“The Life Of The Party” – Penfriend

LYRICS

NEXT

“Space, Man” – Penfriend

LYRICS

NEXT

“Emotional Tourist” – Penfriend

LYRICS

NEXT

It’s “Our Last Christmas” (a fictional prequel to the Wham! classic)

LYRICS

NEXT

Stars and spangles: “Elephant”: the video

NEXT

“Elephant” – Obey Robots

NEXT

Yes, we made these costumes ourselves…

NEXT

Why I shot a music video using Quicktime player and made it look like a Zoom call…

NEXT

“Super Connected” – Obey Robots

“Not The Quiet Type” – Obey Robots