10 Comments
User's avatar
Kevin's avatar

You do have to take the time you need to recover and it is different for all of us. Over the last 15 years I have been involved with cyclists who have raced around the world or across continents. It has been their focus for so long that when they reach the finish line they are lost. What now? Some have suffered with depression. You are not alone.

Expand full comment
Laura Kidd 💌 Penfriend's avatar

Thank you, Kevin! I wish it were financially possible to properly down tools for a while, but the downside of having a dream job is that this is all I have…that’s so interesting about the cyclists. I’m happy I have something that can be ongoing (if I can continue to make it so); it must be really difficult when your career is tied to your physical ability.

Expand full comment
Kevin's avatar

That is a difference. The cyclists I mean are amateurs who return to regular jobs after a time. Some free kit, and a bike if they are lucky, being the only payment. You, of course, are a professional, and as you point out, can’t take so much time off.

Expand full comment
J.Mac's avatar

You Rock! You’re the British Juliana Hatfield because your voice sounds like it’s coming from a higher dimension!

Expand full comment
Laura Kidd 💌 Penfriend's avatar

I appreciate this is coming from a place of giving me a huge compliment Jay, and I do appreciate that, but as a fully formed human in my own right I'll carry on being my unique self and Juliana will doubtless do the same. x

Expand full comment
Al Melchior's avatar

Just in my own experience, I have found the cyclical nature of making stuff and then putting it out in the world to be pretty grueling. I imagine that's greatly amplified when the project is as public and with as long of a timeline as making an album is. FWIW, I'm an obsessive-type listener, so when someone puts out an album I love, I continue to care greatly about the songs for months (or sometimes years) after its release. That's been the case with HOS, and I am sure I am far from alone in this. Just because you can't see us driving around belting the lyrics to "In the Light Sometimes" or getting chills from "Disco Loadout" doesn't mean it's not happening.

Expand full comment
Laura Kidd 💌 Penfriend's avatar

This is a very good point! And really, the lesson is it's up to me to find meaning, create activity and action for myself :) Thank you, Al xo

Expand full comment
Laura Kidd 💌 Penfriend's avatar

(indeed my next piece is half written and is about exactly this)

Expand full comment
Al Melchior's avatar

Looking forward to reading that piece!

Expand full comment
Malcolm Harrison's avatar

Unfortunately much of life is ephemeral and people lose interest very quickly. I'm still finding so much in House of Stories and as a newcomer to your music I'm also delving into Obey Robots and She Makes War - so much for me to explore. Incidentally, Skin of Skunk Anansie talks about the life of an artist in a recent interview in the Independent. Well worth a read

Expand full comment