On single release day, these two words have to go

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

Why I stopped making videos…

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Mindfulness Process

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

What’s the worst that could happen?!

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Mindfulness Process

➡️ A brief explanation of why I haven’t been posting videos via some thoughts on sustainable creative practices and getting over ourselves to be able to do the things we ... Read more

Too late? How to find an audience in your 50s (and 40s, and 30s…)

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Process

➡️ At my December livestream, I was asked the following question by @hitchhiker7508 : “is 55 too old to hope to build a fanbase for original music?” – here’s my ... Read more

Feel the weight of the world, feel the weight of the universe

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Process

This is the last video in this little series, and this is your last chance to grab two FREE / pay what you can live albums before they disappear in ... Read more

Clouds collide…

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Process

When I listen closely to the lyrics I wrote more than a decade ago, my heart aches for that younger woman. “Others love, I stay rooted to the groundLosing, never ... Read more

I’d like to delete myself…

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Process

Delete: the song that started out as a joke about using a loop pedal, and turned into a high point of almost every live set I performed from mid 2011- ... Read more

I really f*cked this up…

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Process

…or did I?!! Sometimes things go “wrong” at a gig…but it usually just makes things more interesting. Here’s an “extended” version of “Exotic Monsters” from my recent livestream which hopefully ... 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

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 can’t do this any more // Tea & Empathy Episode 004

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Mindfulness Process

Have you ever wondered what happens when you click “BUY” on an indie artist’s products? In Tea & Empathy Episode 004, join me as I package up orders from my ... 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

Why I NEVER lie // Tea & Empathy Episode 003

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Mindfulness Process

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 ... 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

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 ... Read more

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 ... Read more

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 ... Read more

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, ... Read more

This home recording essential might surprise you…

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Mindfulness Process Productivity

Welcome to episode 2 of my Creative Spaces series! I met Ryan Hamilton online recently after his album release plan went very wrong…and I thought to balance out the industry ... Read more

You NEED an email list (or need to join one!)

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Process Productivity

I’ve never understood why artists shy away from setting up an email list. Musicians, photographers, visual artists, writers – if you’re serious about sharing your work online, it’s WAY more ... Read more

What now?

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Mindfulness Process

My new album is OUT NOW – so I thought it was time for a chat about what happens in the weeks after a big success at work, plus what’s ... Read more

We did it! Our #1 Independent Chart Album “One In A Thousand”

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Process

Obey Robots is a creative collaboration between myself – Laura Kidd (Penfriend / She Makes War) – and Rat (Ned’s Atomic Dustbin). Our album “One In A Thousand” was released ... Read more

WATCH: UK Album Chart Position Reveal!

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Process

Watch me and Rat learn about the chart success of our collaborative album “One In A Thousand” – a HUGE win for independent artists and independently-minded music fans everywhere! THANK ... Read more

First “band” interview with Diamond Dave!

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Process

Rat and I talked to the very lovely Diamond Dave from TotalRock about how the pandemic affected the emotional core of our album “One In A Thousand”, as well as ... 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

Creative Spaces: home studio tour with Rat from Ned’s Atomic Dustbin / Obey Robots

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Process Productivity

Finding space to be creative – whether that’s a physical space, a time of day or just a mindset – is so powerful. In the first of a new video ... Read more

Making music, telling stories and doing it yourself

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Process Productivity

Huge thanks Cassie Fox from LOUD WOMEN for inviting me onto Louder Than War radio to talk about the new Obey Robots record, my thoughts on DIY music and the ... 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

Wikipedia helps me write a SPIKY song!

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Process

Hang out with me as I write the verse lyrics for the Obey Robots song “Porcupine” with a little help from my faithful friend Wikipedia! A little bit of research ... 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

500 sales from the UK Top 40 – can we do it AGAIN?!

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Process

I’ve got a question for you: can we do it again? In 2021 you put my first Penfriend album “Exotic Monsters” into the Official UK Albums Chart at number 24. ... Read more

Why releasing new music is scary…

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Process

It’s scary releasing new music: sharing emotions, thoughts, riffs and melodies, baring your soul and sticking your neck out…but ALSO putting your money where your mouth is. Releasing an album ... 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

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

Taking small steps

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Mindfulness Process

Comics class has been cancelled due to lack of interest, and my Zoom H6 Handy recorder won’t turn on. I managed to wipe the battery compartment clear of crusty white ... 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

Making my first music video – 2009 VLOG

by Laura Kidd Creativity Homepage Feature Letterbox Process

An historical vlog from February 2009. See clips of “snow day” in London and enjoy my very first music video! “Eye Spy” is a straight-up anti-war song, and listening to ... Read more

I WAS DOXXED: What to do when online criticism goes too far

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Mindfulness Process

I’d been planning to make a video about how to deal with cruel comments on the internet – and then I got doxxed on Twitter. Doxxing is when someone publishes ... Read more

I’m out. Leaving Bristol after 10 years…

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Mindfulness Process

It’s time for a new adventure: I talk about why I’m leaving Bristol after 10 years of making music here, reveal the terrible mistake I made four months ago, and ... Read more

Moog Grandmother FAIL – why does this synth hate me?

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Process

I spent one of the hottest afternoons known to humanity trying to get one decent sound out of my Moog Grandmother. You’ll never guess what happened next… Join me – ... 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

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

“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

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

The magic of live music, and being truly yourself

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Mindfulness Process Productivity

I’ve been performing in rooms full of other humans since I was 7 years old, and touring since the age of 19. In this video I talk about how learning ... Read more

The life-changing power of showing up

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Mindfulness Process Productivity

Showing up – again, and again and again – is the simple but surprisingly effective reason I am currently finishing off my sixth album, working from my home studio The ... Read more

Is it worth all this? 2022 plans + watch hours reveal

by Laura Kidd Creativity Letterbox Process Productivity

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 2019, my friend Miles Hunt from The Wonder Stuff put me in touch with Rat from Ned’s Atomic Dustbin, and our collaboration project OBEY ROBOTS ... 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

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

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

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

Halfway to the UK Top 40!

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Music News Process

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

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

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

Behind The Song: The Only Way Out Is Through

by Laura Kidd Letterbox Podcast Process

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

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

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

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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