You are welcome here
A gift from your Penfriend
I'm Laura Kidd, an independent music producer, songwriter and visual artist based in Nottingham, UK, making music as Penfriend.
My mission is to encourage creativity in others by sharing my artistic process, plus thoughts on the philosophy of creativity, through my writing, videos and podcast series.
A gift for YOU
Subscribe to my Substack newsletter and I’ll send you a completely FREE 12-track album featuring songs from my 14 year back catalogue PLUS a 31-page zine packed with stories, photos and artwork.
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I'm proud and very thankful to be a fully fan-funded artist, which is no mean feat in a world where music can be accessed for free, and monthly streaming royalties don’t cover the cost of a weekly shop.
So, why don’t I have a paid Substack option?
That’s because at the heart of the Penfriend project is The Correspondent's Club, a generous, supportive and friendly community powering the making of all my new music, podcasts and videos since February 2019.
I make four exclusive music and art bundles every year - comprising a CD/download + a zine packed with stories, photographs and artwork - and send them to my Correspondents around the world in analogue or digital form.
Other perks include regular member-only events, access to the friendliest forum on the internet and money off music and merch in my shop.
The Correspondent’s Club moved to Patreon on Friday 29th March 2024.
My story so far…
My new album “House Of Stories” is out on 25th April 2025. An album for anyone who's found themselves living between the wrong four walls. A celebration of age, experience and wisdom. Thoughtful, storyful, hopeful.
My last album "One In A Thousand" (a collaboration with Rat from Ned’s Atomic Dustbin) was released on 24th February 2023 under the name Obey Robots. It went to #14 in the Official Album Chart and #1 in the Independent Album Chart due to people power. Thank you!
My first Penfriend album "Exotic Monsters" was released in May 2021, reaching #24 in the Official UK Album Chart and #5 in the Independent Album Chart.
Before that, between 2009 and 2019 I released five solo albums under the name She Makes War. I had great adventures touring the UK and Europe, supporting artists including Nadine Shah, The Levellers, Carina Round, Ginger Wildheart, Lonely The Brave and many more.
At the end of 2019 it was time for a major life overhaul, and changing my artist name gave me the freedom to be more creative than ever.
Writing has always been at the core of everything I do, so I’m delighted to present myself as your new Penfriend.
I’ll write again soon. Have a fantastic day.
Love,
Laura xxx
Laura, I think that not going paid is a great way to start. This puts you into a period of bringing value and experimenting. Maybe at first there is nothing one can charge on. I believe that one should stay unpaid as long as possible. I myself started very recently and not planning to go paid any time soon. Keep up the good work! Cheers and greetings from Vilnius.