“Emotional Tourist” – Penfriend

🎸 Get this song PLUS the stormy title track immediately when you order your copy of my new album “House Of Stories”, out 25th April 2025. The album is available on super ... Read more

On single release day, these two words have to go

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Music News Process

Day 8 of my daily index card collage challenge. “Gobblin’ Time” – get it? Original monster by Zozoville. Next Wednesday 15th January I’m releasing my first new song in two ... Read more

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 ... Read more

FREE live album – She Sings Sea Songs

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News Releases

“It’s so massive, and it humbles me…” Two days ago a member of my online gig audience asked why the sea has been a recurring theme in my music since ... Read more

Four years of Penfriend!!!

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Music News

Four years ago TODAY I launched my Penfriend solo project after 10 years of releasing music under another name. People told me it would ruin my career, that starting a ... Read more

Two listening parties this Tuesday!

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News

Why not, eh? My second and third She Makes War albums have birthdays this week, so I’m celebrating with two listening parties on Bandcamp on Tuesday 9th April: 7.30pm – ... Read more

FREE livestream – 3rd April

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News

The theme of April’s gig is “Direction Of Battles” – a celebration of the 12th and 8th birthdays of my second and third albums “Little Battles” and “Direction Of Travel”. ... Read more

It’s happening… (Patreon launch news!)

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News Process

You are welcome here. I’m Penfriend aka music producer and solo artist Laura Kidd. Half of Obey Robots, ex- She Makes War. I make heartfelt indie rock, synth pop and sad songs to ... Read more

New FREE download for 9 days only…

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News

Photo taken by Laura Ward at The Apollo Project in Herne Hill, June 2009. In the spring of 2008 I was feeling Very Cheesed Off. “Making an album one day” ... Read more

New Year, new live album gift for YOU

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Music News

I have a New Year’s gift for you: a hopeful 6-song live experience with bonus track and accompanying friendly gig chat. —> Get your copy of “Mending The Year” here – pay ... Read more

Correspondent’s Club 014 – 19/12/23

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News Perks TCC

To view this content, you must be a member of Laura's Patreon Unlock with Patreon ... Read more

Correspondent’s Club 013 – 19/12/23

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News Perks TCC

The life of a new song, something to dance to, plus a 20-page zine Q&A with photos and studio recording notes. The only way to get access to future Correspondent’s ... Read more

Weathering The Storm (FREE online gig next week)

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News

What: Join me for a weather-themed mix of Penfriend/She Makes War songs, with at least one shiny new one (probably two)! When?: Wednesday 29th November 2023, 8pm GMT Where: Here ... Read more

I said I would…

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News

During last month’s online gig I said I was going to play live more regularly – so I’m playing a completely different set of songs (including a BRAND new one ... Read more

Remember the summer when everyone stayed at home?

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Music News

Remember the time I wrote a song about my own imagined death? Here’s “Black Car” from last week’s livestream. Today I released the whole gig as a live album, available ... Read more

Live from Nottingham: online gig next Wednesday!

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News Process

It’s been a while…I moved city, painted some furniture bright pink and have been auditioning local Post Offices for the lofty honour of handling packages of music and merch for ... Read more

Correspondent’s Club 012 – 5/9/23

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News Perks TCC

One never-before-shared demo, some buried treasure plus a 24 page zine-letter with photos. The only way to get access to future Correspondent’s Club releases is to become a member – ... Read more

FLASH SALE for Friday 13th…anniversary of “Disarm”!

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News Process

My debut album “Disarm” is 13 today, so I’m running a flash sale to celebrate! Get 25% off: + “Disarm” on CD+ “Disarm” on vinyl+ “Disarm” demos and rarities collection ... Read more

I heart Bandcamp + last day of my BIG SALE

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Music News Process

TL;DR: House Clearance Sale – last day to get up to 50% off music and merch! In 2009 I was living in a rented maisonette in South London where, for ... Read more

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 ... Read more

Storms don’t last forever…

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News

My first Penfriend album “Exotic Monsters” just turned TWO YEARS OLD forcryingoutloud, so I’m celebrating with some vinyl bargains and limited edition rarities INCLUDING this never-before-publicly-shared reworking of three album tracks ... Read more

Correspondent’s Club 011 – 16/5/23

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News Perks TCC

Four brand new Penfriend demos, written as part of the recent Laura Veirs x School Of Song workshop series, plus a 24 page zine of thoughts, feelings and photos. The ... Read more

Cat Cobain!!!

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Music News

I went to Rough Trade Nottingham in search of our Obey Robots album and found this instead! Art by Niaski. With hat tips to ace records by Sleaford Mods, Public ... Read more

Charts Schmarts! But…

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News Process

It’s been a very exciting week here at Penfriend HQ! The headline: it’s the last day to cast your vote for independent music waving merrily at the mainstream, by picking up your ... Read more

What’s happening in my life?!!

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Music News

Wednesday 15th February. Rat’s monster riff is unmistakable – but I can’t understand how it’s coming out of the kitchen stereo. I walk back inside the house, my puppy Luna ... Read more

“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 ... Read more

Look what we made! Obey Robots unboxing video + Top 20 WTF?

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News Process

It’s been an exciting few days in album release land. Packages of colourful merch have been arriving, books, CDs and guitar and bass picks have been signed with metallic Sharpie, and on Tuesday ... Read more

The story of the record the shops didn’t want.

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News Process

The story of the record the shops didn’t want. On Wednesday I received the news from my distributor that they only need 150 copies of my new album “One In ... Read more

Correspondent’s Club 010 – 7/2/23

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News Perks TCC

I found some treasure! My Zoom recorder died, and I nearly formatted the SD card before realising it *might* be pretty full of song ideas… It was, so I listened ... Read more

This job is SO WEIRD!

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News Process

Some thoughts about how SUPER WEIRD my job is, how grateful I am to do it full-time, how BLOODY EXPENSIVE it is to make records, and what it’s really like ... Read more

I’d rather be one in a thousand

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News

Are you trying to be one in a million? I grew up with that phrase knocking around in my brain, instructing me to try and be so brilliant, so very ... Read more

With 4 weeks to go…

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News

It’s official: 2023 is the Year of the Robot. You heard it here first! My Obey Robots collaboration album “One In A Thousand” will be released into the world in four ... Read more

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: -> ... Read more

Correspondent’s Club 009 – Winter 2022

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News Perks TCC

The ninth edition of The Correspondent’s Club quarterly music and zine bundle, a members-only 9-song live performance. Track listing: 1. Dress rehearsal2. Olympian3. Devastate Me4. Dispensable Body5. Please Don’t6. I ... Read more

A fresh direction for 2023

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Mindfulness Music News

A snoozy day, punctuated by washing piles of soft furnishings and spraying the entire house with Indorex. Surprise baths for reluctant pooches. Flea and worming tablets doled out a few ... Read more

Free music for you, to end 22

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News

As we approach the end of a particularly tough year, I’ve decided to collate all my free / pay what you want/can releases in one place, so you can fill ... Read more

“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 ... Read more

“And Peace” – (2019)

by Laura Kidd Albums Letterbox Music News Releases

When I decided to bring my She Makes War project to a close at the end of 2019, I created this eight-track retrospective featuring fan favourites from all four She ... Read more

“Disarm:15” – (2015)

by Laura Kidd Albums Letterbox Music News Releases

I released my debut album “Disarm” under the name She Makes War in September 2010. I’d been collecting the songs together for a couple of years, gradually focusing my mind, ... Read more

Is Twitter DEAD?! 108,142 tweets…now what?

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Music News

I joined Twitter on 23rd November 2007 and am looking at losing touch with nearly 15,000 followers if the platform crumbles under the leadership of Elon Musk, or if I ... Read more

“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 ... Read more

Limited live album release + “Devastate Me”

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Live performances Music News

I performed nine songs live on the internet on Wednesday 26th October 2022, and am making the studio quality recordings available for a short time only. The theme of the ... Read more

“Brace For Impact” – (2018)

by Laura Kidd Albums Letterbox Music News Releases

From 2009-2019 I made music under the name She Makes War, releasing 4 and a bit solo albums and playing nearly 600 shows. “Brace For Impact” was the final full-length ... Read more

FREE online gig 26/10/22 – “Sad songs to make you feel better”

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Live performances Music News

The theme for my next FREE online gig is “sad songs to make you feel better”. It’s all a lot at the moment, isn’t it?!! – and I’ve always found ... Read more

Pre-order the Obey Robots album today!

by Laura Kidd Creativity Homepage Feature Letterbox Music News

The day is finally here! I’m delighted to invite you to browse the Obey Robots “One In A Thousand” pre-order extravaganza for limited edition coloured vinyl, CDs, cassettes, hardback books, guitar pick tins, ... Read more

“Direction Of Travel” – (2016)

by Laura Kidd 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 third album “Direction Of Travel” was ... Read more

This is your invitation

by Laura Kidd Creativity Homepage Feature Letterbox Music News Process

This is your invitation to directly support the creation of new music.To join a genuinely supportive online community, to receive thoughtful, lovingly made limited edition art and music bundles, to ... Read more

Two new tees: typewriters and exotic monsters…

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News

I’m very pleased to share two brand new Penfriend t-shirt designs, available now! These are extra special, because they were designed by my clever sister Julia. Hooray! Have a browse ... Read more

Correspondent’s Club 008 – 24/8/22

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News Perks TCC

The eighth edition of The Correspondent’s Club quarterly music and zine bundle was created in August 2022. I reworked three songs from “Exotic Monsters” for a collection provisionally titled “from ... Read more

Experience “Exotic Monsters” Live!

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News

Let’s celebrate! It’s one year since my debut Penfriend album landed at #5 in the Independent Albums Chart and #24 in the Official UK Albums Chart, and got me a ... Read more

It’s one year since THIS happened…

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News

My first album under the name Penfriend (and my fifth solo album), “Exotic Monsters” marked the start of a new musical chapter. Written, produced and recorded in my home studio ... Read more

“Black Car” on Welcome To Night Vale!

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News

I’m somewhat stunned and very excited to announce my song “Black Car” is The Weather on episode 208 of the Welcome To Night Vale podcast, “Cecil in The Big City”. ... Read more

Watch my latest livestream whenever you like!

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Music News News

Last Wednesday I invited friendly music lovers into the new Launchpad to celebrate the 10th birthday of my second album “Little Battles”. Hooray! Watch whenever you like: Set list: MinefieldsExit ... Read more

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

by Laura Kidd 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 ... Read more

Correspondent’s Club 007 – 25/4/22

by Laura Kidd 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 ... Read more

Ukulele or cavaquinho? Adventures in Portugal

by Laura Kidd 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 ... Read more

“Little Battles” – (2012)

by Laura Kidd 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 ... Read more

“Paper Thin” – live one take performance

by Laura Kidd 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 ... Read more

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

by Laura Kidd 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 ... Read more

“Disarm” – my 2010 debut album

by Laura Kidd 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 ... Read more

Can I be honest with you?

by Laura Kidd 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 ... Read more

Why I’m leaving The Launchpad

by Laura Kidd 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 ... Read more

Vocal loops and ukulele mini gig for you!

by Laura Kidd 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 ... Read more

“Little Battles” + “Disarm” reissues + first-time on vinyl!

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News

It’s astonishing to me that this April 9th marks the tenth anniversary of the release of my second album “Little Battles”. It is, however, true – so I’m celebrating with some beautiful ... Read more

FREE online gig Wed 23rd Feb

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News

She Makes War to Penfriend: join me for a deep dive into my back catalogue beaming live from my home studio The Launchpad into your home (or wherever you happen ... Read more

Correspondent’s Club 005 + 006 – 21/12/21

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News Perks TCC

The fifth and sixth editions of The Correspondent’s Club quarterly music and zine bundle were released together in December 2021, comprising two zines and one CD. The only way to ... 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

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

Correspondent’s Club 004 – 4/8/21

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News Perks TCC

The fourth edition of The Correspondent’s Club quarterly music and zine bundle, created in July 2021. An exclusive “Exotic Monsters” album commentary, made just for you x The only way ... 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

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

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

Correspondent’s Club 003 – 21/4/21

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News Perks TCC

The third edition of The Correspondent’s Club quarterly music and zine bundle, created in March 2021. The only way to get access to future Correspondent’s Club releases is to become ... Read more

Halfway to the UK Top 40!

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News Process

Black Car (“Exotic Monsters”)

by Laura Kidd Creativity Homepage Feature Letterbox Music News Releases Singles

To my great delight and excitement, this song is featured as “The Weather” on “Cecil in The Big City”, Episode 208 of the Welcome To Night Vale podcast, 15th May ... 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

Correspondent’s Club 002 – 15/12/20

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News Perks TCC

The second edition of The Correspondent’s Club quarterly music and zine bundle, created in Oct/Nov 2020. The only way to get access to future Correspondent’s Club releases is to become ... Read more

Correspondent’s Club 001 – 21/8/20

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News Perks TCC

The first edition of The Correspondent’s Club quarterly music and zine bundle, created in July 2020. The only way to get access to future Correspondent’s Club releases is to become ... 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

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

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

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

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

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