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 series, I discuss different ways of writing songs, and gaining confidence through home recording with Rat, guitarist from Ned’s Atomic Dustbin and my duo Obey Robots!
Making music, telling stories and doing it yourself
Creativity Letterbox Process ProductivityHuge 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 power of story in sharing music.
Huge thanks also to Charley Stone for asking such excellent questions!
Listen to the full show here.
Read “How to be a successful DIY artist” by Kim Boekbinder here and check out her music here.
The only album review I’ll ever need
LetterboxI wrote recently that the only reviews I care about are from music fans…and opting out of all pay-to-maybe-be-played PR and radio shenanigans means that anything that does come in is truly exciting. When you’ve paid thousands of quid just to have your music considered for review, if something actually does come off it doesn’t feel the same. Writers certainly aren’t paid to write about you, but they wouldn’t know you had anything to write about if the PR person didn’t tell them. It’s…complicated.
So, when one of my all-time favourite songwriters – and one of the most passionate music fans I know – asked me to send him the lyrics to “One In A Thousand” so he could write a piece about it, you can perhaps imagine the feverish little dance I did around my home studio.
Huge thanks to Miles Hunt for a lifetime of musical inspiration, over a decade of encouragement and friendship, and for introducing Rat and I in April 2019! This album simply wouldn’t exist without him.
“One In A Thousand“: an album musing by Miles Hunt
Originally posted on Louder Than War
An email exchange between Ned’s Atomic Dustbin guitarist, Rat, and myself, sometime around 2020; [LK: it was April 2019]
Rat: Milo, I’ve got a bunch of tunes I really want to work on with a singer, preferably female, d’you know anyone that might be interested?
Me: Leave it with me, I’ll have a think.
Less than 24 hours later…
Rat: Milo, I found this, she’s brilliant, I’d love to work with someone like this, such a great voice, brilliant lyrics.
Me: Oh that’s my friend Laura Kidd, why don’t you ask her?
Rat: You know her?!
Me: Sure I do, I’ll ask her if she’s up for giving your tracks a listen.
Rat: Fuckin’ ‘ell mate!
And that’s how it began: Rat meet Laura, Laura meet Rat.
There are far fewer satisfying experiences in life than putting people together that are destined to come up with something truly great. I just didn’t know it was gonna be this great!
Laura and I met a few years back when she was performing in a short lived Carina Round line up, I was a guest singer during the show on a song that Carina and I wrote together many years ago, Four To The Floor. After the gig Laura introduced herself to me and The Wonder Stuff’s violinist, Erica Nockalls, and was kind enough to hook us up with her She Makes War record. We were seriously impressed and kept our eyes and ears on her future projects. We’ve never been disappointed.
Rat and I go way back, right back to the beginning of time in fact. Well, our time at least, 1989 when Ned’s Atomic Dustbin and The Wonder Stuff were just making our mark. I’ve always known Rat is a uniquely gifted guitarist, but so often the intricacies of his playing have been lost beneath the twin bass attack of The Ned’s. Not on this album though, among the many attributes of Obey Robots it is Rat’s moment to shine.
The album release has been preceded by a 7” single, Let It Snow. It blew me away on first listen. The main riff is classic Rat – intense, melodic and searing – and Laura underpinned it all with a bass line worthy of The Stranglers’ Jean Jaques Burnell. But the song, oh man, the song… nothing to do with toasting marshmallows around a log fire, instead it’s a howl of frustration for getting through those pesky lockdowns and being able to get on with what creative people need to do. In fact what all of us need to do; be with our loved ones, celebrate life, keep moving forward. All delivered in what becomes Laura’s signature dual octave layering on the album. Rat’s solo makes me wanna smash shit up, it’s a beautiful chaos.
‘Destruction makes us stronger’ is the first line in the chorus of the album opener, Not The Quiet Type, as it happens, and it’s a sentiment I wholeheartedly agree with. Lyrically, Laura has brought her ‘A Game’ to this album, at points even reminding me of my life long favourite lyricist, Magazine’s Howard Devoto. She centers on the ‘I’, it’s all first person and it’s all believable. She connects, and it’s a strong connection. Switching the second line of the chorus from “We will always get it wrong” to ”I will always do my best” in it’s finale is a beautiful touch.
They ain’t fuckin’ around sonically with this track either, the attack is equaled by the depth. I guess that’s what you end up with when you put together a top line, wah-wah footed, high frequency guitar player with a guttural low-slingin’ bass player such as Laura. All underpinned by a hard as nails drum performance by Max Saidi and a masterful mix by Chris Sheldon.
On One Of These Days Rat proves he’s still got pretty in him, just as he did on Ned’s Atomic Dustbin’s Stuck all those years ago, when he cleans up his sound you get a true sense of his sensitivity. And Laura responds with an empathetic review of a past altercation. Oh and fat as fuck bass riff. I particularly like the way the jarring, off beat performance of Max Saidi’s drum part never gives in to straightening out for the obvious final furlong, it keeps up the juxtaposition of Laura’s lyrical debate throughout.
Talking of jarring… I don’t like straight forward and I don’t like the obvious, equally as much as I don’t like the blues. There’s a million plus verses been written around two chords and there’s probably a few million more to come. Out of all the music I have been subjected to in my life I can honestly say I have enjoyed less than 1% of it. But that’s my cross to bear. What I am immediately drawn to on the album’s third track, Elephant, is it’s discomfort with itself – a beat and a rhythm guitar part at odds with each other. And as much as this pleases me to hear, I have a wee bit of experience in trying to find a vocal melody to ride over such polar opposites, to the point of almost driving myself ‘round the bend.
Laura hasn’t suffered so here. Her entry is as unexpected as it is inspiring and she has saved her frustration for the lyric, another empathetic view, this time towards those that aren’t as fortunate as perhaps she feels? It’s Punk Rock, it’s the Punk Rock I understood anyway. It’s the giving of strength, of solidarity, of an olive branch. It’s optimism and it’s delivered with a bouquet of flowers, including the thorns. Her ability to take the melodies where I can never predict is such a rare pleasure for me. And when Rat goes pretty again – in an unnecessary but admittedly generous shift in atmosphere – Laura reacts with a playful bit of vocal trickery. And as it all comes to a close the Ned’s king-sized guitarist piles on layers of emotion to take it home. These two artists we born to create together, I’m constantly hearing one push the other further.
Talking of Punk Rock – and I’m genuinely not trying to do this on purpose, the talking of motif – but, talking of Punk Rock, the opening of track four, Next Summer, could be Killing Joke for feck’s sakes! It settles into something of a more commercial nature though, and no bad thing for it. In my mind’s eye I see a flag waving Glastonbury-tastic calling for it. There’s a synth hook, The Kids like that sort of thing don’t they? And as the chorus lyric states “Optimism can be so nauseating”, that’s The Kids too, right?
On Glitter Turns To Dust Rat comes over all Johnny Marr, switching to a luscious sounding acoustic guitar. And with zero disrespect intended towards Johnny, his work in the 1980s had an unquantifiable influence on all us wanna-be gun slingers of that decade. And the 80s is what this beauty of a song has all over it. Laura’s use of the “last to know” lyric is all too familiar to me, it puts a tear in my eye for the memory of a dear departed friend of immeasurable talent that wrote a song of that very title in the decade I am transported to. But that is the beauty of what songwriters and musicians do, isn’t it? To either connect us to them or reconnect us with our past selves. Either way, I’ll be eternally grateful for what this song does for me.
Side Two of an album always deserves a Single to open it. I’ve adhered to that rule myself a few times. Side One concludes with a change of mood, we flip the fucker over and want a kick up the arse when we drop the needle again, right? Yeah, that’s right. And Porcupine delivers a swift and purposeful boot up the jacksy. I’ve no idea what Laura’s absolute point in this lyric is, but were I a kid adding this record to my youthful record collection I would consider her an otherworldly genius, if only for adding the word Erethizontidae to my prepubescent vocabulary, just like Howard Devoto did with Permafrost before I had any hairs on it. Big Ups to Rat on this one too, a riff like this one woulda made me quit playing with my Dinky Cars and pick up a guitar, no doubt about it.
Old Kindnesses and Super Connected have all my favourite parts of Bauhaus and Smashing Pumpkins without the Bowie-esque devotion or a daft name. They are both what I think of as more traditional Side Two tracks, not fillers but requiring a deeper concentration. The afore mentioned Let It Snow is up next and refocuses the mind to the ease and swagger of this collaboration.
Did I mention yet that Laura can sing her ass off? And whilst I’ve piled on compliments towards Rat’s versatility as a guitar player I don’t think I’ve touched upon their combined ability to bring the emotion. And that’s what the title track of the album, One In A Thousand, does – perfectly placed as the album’s closer. The way Laura pitches the opening vocal line goes straight to the heart, Rat’s chord change for the chorus gives me Chicken Skin, The Fizz… whatever you call it, the fuckin’ hair’s on your arms moment. The moment every songwriter wants you to feel, or at the very least, this songwriter. Laura sings about December 2019, I can’t tell you how much joy that gave me. A date, a hotel room number, a person’s name, a city, a highway number… a detail that means so much to the singer they just had to let you know. It leaves a question in the listener’s mind, “What the fuck happened in December 2019?!” I love it. It draws us in, we just HAVE to know, for chrissakes! But most important of all to me in this song is the line “I’d rather be one in a thousand”, not The One in a thousand, just One. That’ll do Pig. No muscle flexing, no being better than, just inclusivity.
My two mates Laura and Rat have knocked me off my feet, honestly they have. I’m so proud to have been a tiny part of their work together. I want more. And after hearing this record, I think you will too. Gold stars all round.
Get Miles Hunt’s latest solo album “Things Can Change” here (I sing on two tracks, woop!)
“Elephant” – Obey Robots
Creativity Letterbox Music News Releases SinglesTaut 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
Look what we made! Obey Robots unboxing video + Top 20 WTF?
Letterbox Music News ProcessIt’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 Rat and I spent some time oohing and ahhing at the beautiful things.
UK Top 20 WTF?
It’s really happening. Thanks to generous, supportive music fans our album is now gunning for the UK Top 20. Even writing that makes me feel…funny. Based on sales to date, “One In A Thousand” is possibly headed for the dizzy heights of the Official UK Albums Chart, a real pie in the eye for all people who have ever told Rat and I we couldn’t/shouldn’t.
The music manager who told me “I don’t see people lining up to work with you”…the teacher who said I should focus on the violin, because playing bass was a waste of time…the ex-boyfriend who told me I couldn’t – and shouldn’t – sing.
There will always be someone around to rain on your parade, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t spend time on the things that make you happy.
Our labour of love is having an effect on the people listening and watching – and sharing the music we’re so proud of is all that really matters…but I can’t deny it would be very exciting to see this independent release jostling with the big labels purely down to people power!
Whatever happens to “One In A Thousand”, its success is down to you! If you’d like to share something of ours with a friend, the “Porcupine” video is making people smile. Order limited edition vinyl, CDs, hardback books, cassettes, pick tins, tees, hoodies and badges here.
Wikipedia helps me write a SPIKY song!
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 goes a long way, and you never know what useful things you might learn.
I’m a porcupine!
“Porcupine” features on the Obey Robots album “One In A Thousand”, out 24th February 2023 and available here.
PS the last few “I’m a Porcupine” tees are for sale here
Yes, we made these costumes ourselves…
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.
500 sales from the UK Top 40 – can we do it AGAIN?!
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.
WHAT?!!
I recorded every single note of that album in my attic bedroom studio and released it on my own label, and there it was, bumping up against albums from Warner Brothers, Domino and Polydor. I’d have loved to be a fly on the wall in their meetings that Friday.
Now you are REALLY spoiling me. My new album “One In A Thousand”, a collaboration with my friend Rat from Ned’s Atomic Dustbin, is approximately 500 sales away from smashing into the Top 40.
No manager, no agent, no big label, no PR and radio plugger. No pay to play, no pay to get played. Just us and you.
Rat and I are so proud of the music we’ve made, and I can’t wait to send it to you – so I won’t!
When you pre-order “One In A Thousand” directly from my shop, you get access to the full range of limited edition music and merch only available there, PLUS your contribution goes directly to us.
We’re cutting out all of the middlemen.
I’ll also email you four songs immediately, with another one coming your way before the album release date of 23rd February 2023.

Why releasing new music is scary…
Letterbox ProcessIt’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 independently means finding and fronting the money to manufacture vinyl, CDs, lyric books, pick tins, t-shirts, hoodies and badges PLUS paying someone to shoot the videos I can’t shoot myself, to illustrate the album cover, to buy props for the upcoming “Porcupine” video…it adds up quickly, and it’s a peculiar feeling clicking “buy” on every item, hoping we’ve got it right, hoping we can reach the people who will get excited about the music and accompanying treats.
Perhaps now you can imagine the delight and relief I am experiencing today as I tell you that the second of four limited edition vinyl colours just SOLD OUT, and share with you photos of the remaining two hot from the pressing plant (thank you, Press On Vinyl)! These beauties are being delivered NEXT WEEK: some for Rat, some for me and the rest for YOU (via our distribution partners).


It’s less than THREE WEEKS until “One In A Thousand” is released on 24th February, so do head to the shop asap to secure your copies on vinyl, CD or cassette – they’re not available anywhere else!
Thank you SO MUCH for taking a chance on this new music, and especially for getting behind it by ordering something direct from us.
In a world where you could easily listen to music for free, this means a lot – and at a time where many of us are just scraping by, it’s a great privilege to be able to sculpt songs from thin air for your enjoyment, however you choose to listen.
I made a video sharing more thoughts on all of this, I’d love it if you’d take a look: