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 my! – raise the question of live gigs plus discuss why on earth this ... Read more

7 down? Recording bass guitar for my new album at home – Captain’s Vlog 02

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Process Productivity

This month, I’m making an album with Rat from Ned’s Atomic Dustbin under the name OBEY ROBOTS and sharing the process in my Captain’s Vlog ⚓ I have 19 days ... Read more

How I record cover songs – “This Is The Sound”

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Process

In my twenties, I spent a few years running a covers band called Co-Star. Great name, right? Good work, Gareth the guitarist. I booked the shows, played bass and sang. ... Read more

HONEST (messy!) studio tour + recording an album in 19 days. Captain’s Vlog 01

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Process Productivity

I’m recording an album in 19 days! In 2019, my friend Miles Hunt from The Wonder Stuff put me in touch with Rat from Ned’s Atomic Dustbin, and our collaboration ... Read more

Resolutions don’t work. This does…

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Process Productivity

The 17th January is “Forget New Year’s Resolutions Day”. Did you know that? I believe everyone has the power to tweak and improve their lives, but there’s a far better ... Read more

Casey Neistat made me do THIS

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Process

I started making videos again this year after discovering Casey Neistat’s vlogs 6 years late! Here are the three big things I’ve learned from his videos, why I think filmmaking ... Read more

Don’t read the comments.

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Mindfulness Process

Good advice, or just a pile of rubbish? Scroll down for the video transcript, and subscribe to my channel for more! THANK YOU for visiting my website! I’m Laura Kidd, a ... Read more

Online Gig 15/12/21 – watch / download

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News

I played my first gig in a very long time on 15th December 2021, and it’s available for you to enjoy on YouTube whenever you like! I performed songs from ... Read more

How to not suck at YouTube (like I did for 14 years)

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Process

We all start somewhere! Bridgerton superstar Regé-Jean Page played a Bowie-inspired zombie clown in my first music video in 2010 BRILLIANTLY, but even he couldn’t save my YouTube channel… Musicians ... Read more

What is a podcast? Where to find them and how to listen for FREE

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Process

I’ve been making a podcast for two years, and have been harbouring a funny feeling that not everyone knows what a podcast is, how to find them and how to ... Read more

50 conversations on creativity, grit and determination

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Podcast

Here’s a full list of every episode of my podcast Attention Engineer 2020-2021 with direct links to listen onsite or via YouTube. “Attention Engineer” can be found on your favourite ... Read more

EU VAT woes? Bandcamp musicians, you’re (probably) doing it wrong…

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News Process

…but it’s not your fault, and I’m here to help. TAX DOESN’T HAVE TO BE TAXING (apparently…)! [Last edited 15/10/21 after input from kind tweeters – I feel this may ... Read more

My burnout recovery tips – completing the stress cycle

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Mindfulness Process Productivity

I’ve been dealing with burnout for a few years on and off, and learning about completing the stress cycle recently has really helped me. In this video I talk about ... Read more

Making more time for creativity | Getting up at 6am for a week

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Mindfulness Process Productivity

I decided to challenge myself to get up at 6am every day for a week – and it changed my life! Join me for a week in my life as ... Read more

I only did it for him | Garden cleanup time-lapse

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Mindfulness Process Productivity

Join me as I clear my overgrown back garden so my elderly dog Mister Benji can use it, PLUS enjoy oddly satisfying timelapses! Accidental passionfruit! Gnomes lost in the undergrowth! ... Read more

BUT is it any good? How to assess your own creative work

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Mindfulness Process Productivity

It can be really hard to make stuff – but once you’ve got started, how can you assess your own creative work? Is it any good? We all want to ... Read more

How I get stuff done! | 5 steps to achieve any goal

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Mindfulness Process Productivity

Consistency is the habit that separates people who say “I wish I could…” from those who actually get on with it and put in the work. It’s not glamorous and ... Read more

How to stop your inner critic from holding you back

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Mindfulness Process Productivity

Your inner critic is the annoying voice inside your head that whispers mean things to you. It’s holding you back from trying new things, putting yourself out there and living ... Read more

“Why I’m still not playing gigs in 2021” [VIDEO]

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News Process

As an independent songwriter, producer and musician, releasing my new album this year was more of a challenge than usual. The UK government left venues with no choice but to ... Read more

Penfriend in the charts…look what you did!

by Laura Kidd Letterbox

Look what you did! THANK YOU. This is a childhood dream come true…and I couldn’t have done it without the support of music fans. WHATTTTTTTTTTT! There’s way too much smoke ... Read more

I’ll Start A Fire (18/5/21)

by Laura Kidd Creativity Homepage Feature Letterbox Music News Releases Singles

I'll Start A Fire (single) by Penfriend Release date: 18th May 2021Label: My Big Sister Recordings GET THE SONG + Click to download pay what you want/can from Bandcamp.+ Get ... Read more

Music Week says my new album is “essential”

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News

Imagine this indie upstart’s surprise and delight on the weekend when a friend sent me this photo*. Yes, that’s my artist name sitting pretty right near Billie Eilish’s face, with ... Read more

Behind The Song: Seventeen

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Podcast Process

Get the song. This bonus musical mini episode of “Attention Engineer” is also available on your favourite podcast platform. THANK YOU for visiting my website! + Get FREE music immediately ... Read more

Behind The Song: Black Car

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Podcast Process

Watch the music video and get the song. This bonus musical mini episode of “Attention Engineer” is also available on your favourite podcast platform. THANK YOU for visiting my website! ... Read more

Never fear, I’m still punk as fuck

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News Process

All this talk of the album charts recently might have made you think I’m selling out. I’ve spent my music career as the underdog with a punk spirit, sneered at ... Read more

Can we make Bristol music history together?!

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News Process

This is unbelievable! I have massive news to share with you today: my new album “Exotic Monsters” is two thirds of the way towards getting in the UK Top 40 ... Read more

Seventeen (23/4/21)

by Laura Kidd Creativity Homepage Feature Letterbox Music News Releases Singles

Seventeen (single) by Penfriend Release date: 23rd April 2021Label: My Big Sister Recordings GET THE SONG + Click to download pay what you want/can from Bandcamp.+ Get three album tracks ... Read more

Obey Robots – “Inside Out” (2/4/20)

by Laura Kidd Homepage Feature Letterbox Releases Singles

Release date: 2nd April 2021Label: My Big Sister Recordings Let It Snow by Obey Robots GET THE SONG + Get the song on pay what you want / can download ... Read more

Halfway to the UK Top 40!

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News Process

Black Car (26/3/21)

by Laura Kidd Creativity Homepage Feature Letterbox Music News Releases Singles

Black Car (single) by Penfriend Release date: 26th March 2021Label: My Big Sister Recordings GET THE SONG + Click to download pay what you want/can from Bandcamp.+ Get three album ... Read more

Behind The Song: Cancel Your Hopes

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Podcast Process

Behind The Song: Exotic Monsters

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Podcast Process

Watch the pop video and get the song. This bonus musical mini episode of “Attention Engineer” is also available on your favourite podcast platform. THANK YOU for visiting my website! ... Read more

New Penfriend live album – available for one week only!

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News

Last Friday’s Correspondent’s Club livestream turned out so nicely I’m sharing the posh recordings with you for one week only! I played seven songs and had a nice chat with ... Read more

Cancel Your Hopes (5/3/21)

by Laura Kidd Creativity Homepage Feature Letterbox Music News Releases Singles

Cancel Your Hopes (single) by Penfriend Release date: 5th March 2021Label: My Big Sister Recordings GET THE SONG + Click to download pay what you want/can from Bandcamp.+ Get “Cancel ... Read more

Why I won’t be playing in-person gigs in 2021

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Mindfulness Music News Process

For everyone who’s been asking me whether I’m going to be touring in 2021 – here are my thoughts on the matter. We’re all missing live concerts, artists are floundering ... Read more

My song is in a film!

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Music News Process

Most songwriters dream of one day having their song in a film soundtrack, and I’m fizzing with delight that “Dear Heart” appears in 21st century rom-com Modern Persuasion, directed by Alex ... Read more

Power to the people

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News Process

At the end of last week, I was invited to write a piece sharing an artist’s perspective on a harsh new scheme to charge musicians to perform their own work ... Read more

Exotic Monsters (22/1/21)

by Laura Kidd Creativity Homepage Feature Letterbox Music News Releases Singles

Exotic Monsters (single) by Penfriend Release date: 22nd January 2021Label: My Big Sister Recordings GET THE SONG + Click to download pay what you want/can from Bandcamp.+ Get “Exotic Monsters” ... Read more

2020 was my best year for reading – my recommendations

by Laura Kidd Homepage Feature Letterbox Process

I’m still gathering my thoughts on what 2020 meant to me. I really enjoy reading peoples’ end of year blog posts and have started mine a few times, from a ... Read more

Obey Robots – “Let It Snow” (4/12/20)

by Laura Kidd Homepage Feature Letterbox Releases Singles

Release date: 4th December 2020Label: My Big Sister Recordings Let It Snow by Obey Robots GET THE SONG + Pre-order vinyl / pay what you want/can download from Bandcamp. ABOUT ... Read more

Behind The Song: The Only Way Out Is Through

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Podcast Process

FREE DOWNLOAD – Attention Engineer S01 Nuggets available now

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Podcast

Something different from me this Bandcamp Friday – a present for you from the first series of my creativity podcast Attention Engineer. Sixteen quotes from brilliant artists to provoke, inspire ... Read more

I’ve been finding everything really hard lately

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Mindfulness Productivity

Friends, I’ve been finding everything really hard lately. I have a lot to feel fortunate for – not least the ongoing generosity and support of my Correspondents, THANK YOU! – ... Read more

The Only Way Out Is Through (8/9/20)

by Laura Kidd Homepage Feature Letterbox Releases Singles

The Only Way Out Is Through by Penfriend Release date: 8th September 2020Label: My Big Sister RecordingsDistributor: Southern Record Distributors GET THE SONG + Download PWYW from Bandcamp.+ Get all ... Read more

New Penfriend TV live album – available for one week only!

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News

Surprise PWYW live album for youuuuuuuuuu! On Friday 31st July I played my third Correspondent’s Club livestream, including a brand new song called “Seventeen”, and I am making some live ... Read more

Chasing the mountain

by Laura Kidd Creativity Homepage Feature Letterbox Mindfulness Productivity

Sometimes I wonder why I spend my time in the ways I do. A life’s primary occupation builds up through an infinitesimal series of decisions – what we wanted to ... Read more

Attention Engineer glowingly reviewed in The Observer!

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Podcast

“An interview series from musician Laura Kidd. Kidd talks with insight and warmth to (mostly) other musicians. Her opening show is with Belly’s Tanya Donelly, and is completely delicious; her ... Read more

Inspiration is for amateurs

by Laura Kidd Creativity Homepage Feature Letterbox Mindfulness Process Productivity

The thing that’s got me through the ups and downs, the fear, the uncertainty, the confusion, the anger, the frustration and the sheer bizarreness of 2020 is the daily routine ... Read more

Surprise live album – available for one week only!

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News

Surprise live album for youuuuuuuuuu! Get your hands on 8 songs (7 unreleased) plus some fun chat, available on a pay what you want basis* for one week only. Penfriend ... Read more

Album update: how not to get overwhelmed by big projects and the danger of endless lists

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Mindfulness Process Productivity

“Old Tape” image by Ozant Liuky from Pixabay Suddenly, I find myself with only a little bit of an album to complete.You might know I started writing this new collection of songs in ... Read more

You are not a number (and neither am I)

by Laura Kidd Homepage Feature Letterbox Mindfulness Minimalism Process Productivity

NEWS THIS WEEK“Attention Engineer” episode 4 is available now, featuring my conversation with songwriter Frank Turner! Recorded on the precipice of the UK lockdown backstage at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, Frank ... Read more

I wasn’t going to write this til I realised silence was worse

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Mindfulness

I am not a celebrity or a pundit (thank GOODNESS), or someone who thinks their “hot take” on every topic needs to be shared on all platforms. I’m on a ... Read more

So, why a podcast?

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Podcast

I’ve been on quite a journey over the past couple of years, exploring my relationship with social media. The internet has undoubtedly helped me find my people, but I needed ... Read more

Beware Of Darkness, online gig this Sat + why I’m launching a podcast

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Mindfulness Music News Podcast Process

Art by @grandfunkrev This morning I got up early to do yoga in the living room before walking the dogs round the block in the blazing sunshine. On returning home ... Read more

“Attention Engineer” – trailer online now!

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Podcast

Announcing the launch of my weekly podcast series “Attention Engineer”! The trailer is done done done, and submitting it for inclusion in all the big podcast directories this afternoon was ... Read more

My lockdown anthem of hope is out today

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News

GET THE SONG + Get “Everything Looks Normal In The Sunshine” plus unreleased track “The Only Way Out Is Through” FREE when you join The Correspondent’s Club.+ Download PWYW from ... Read more

Everything Looks Normal In The Sunshine (15/5/20)

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Releases Singles

Release date: 15th May 2020Label: My Big Sister Recordings GET THE SONG + Get all Penfriend singles PLUS unreleased track “Cancel Your Hopes” FREE when you join The Correspondent’s Club.+ ... Read more

Four Penfriend songs live on the internet – watch again links

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News

25/3/20 – Stay At Home Fest with Robin Ince, Josie Long, Jo Brand and Luke WrightStarts 44:39 – I played “Out Of The Blue” + “Everything Looks Normal In The ... Read more

Let me tell you a story…

by Laura Kidd Creativity Homepage Feature Letterbox Music News Process

When I was a little girl, one of my favourite possessions was a shoebox that I filled up with bits of paper, envelopes and leaflets gathered from wherever I could ... Read more