Penfriend's Letterbox

(formerly Attention Engineer)
  • 5.0 (15)
  • MUSIC INTERVIEWS
Penfriend's Letterbox

I'm Laura Kidd, an independent music producer, songwriter and visual artist based in Nottingham, UK, making music as Penfriend (formerly She Makes War and Obey Robots). My mission is to encourage creativity in others by sharing my artistic process, plus thoughts on the philosophy of creativity. In my first podcasting era 2019-2021 I interviewed 50 of my favourite artists and comedians for my "Attention Engineer" episodes. I asked nosey questions about creativity, grit and determination and received some surprising answers... In 2024 I missed podcasting so much I decided to start sharing here in a different way. Subscribe to join me for the next part of this journey! penfriendrocks.substack.com

  1. Giving yourself permission to be creative - Matthew Caws, Nada Surf

    11/03/2021

    Giving yourself permission to be creative - Matthew Caws, Nada Surf

    Matthew Caws has been playing guitar, singing and writing songs in Nada Surf since 1994. He is one half of Minor Alps with Juliana Hatfield. He’s from New York City but currently lives in Cambridge, England. Find out more at nadasurf.com. In this episode, we discuss how anxiety gets in the way of songwriting, the anomaly of artists being financially successful, what it’s like listening to the music you made a long time ago, how to keep writing interesting material when you’re happily married and ageing with your audience – when your existence is a mirror to their years gone by.I'm Laura Kidd, an independent music producer, songwriter and visual artist based in Nottingham, UK, making music as Penfriend (formerly She Makes War and Obey Robots). Get my FREE 12-track album + 31-page zine http://penfriend.rocks/hello This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit penfriendrocks.substack.com

    1h 24m
  2. Connection and communion through music...talking to Grace Petrie

    09/29/2021

    Connection and communion through music...talking to Grace Petrie

    Visit the deluxe show notes page for this episode at http://penfriend.rocks/grace - and read the transcript at http://penfriend.rocks/grace-ts About my guest: a folk singer, songwriter and activist from Leicester, UK, Grace Petrie has been writing, recording and touring relentlessly for more than ten years. Her unique takes on life, love and politics, and the warmth and wit with which they are delivered, have won over audiences everywhere, across the alternative, folk, political and comedy scenes. Visit www.gracepetrie.com for music and more.In this episode, we discuss the unique communion and connection between a performer and their audience at a live show, how political burnout led to the more personal themes on new album “Connectivity”, how genres can help and hinder artists, choosing your own truth on the internet and trying to create boundaries online – how even a fan can ruin your day. I'm Laura Kidd, an independent music producer, songwriter and visual artist based in Nottingham, UK, making music as Penfriend (formerly She Makes War and Obey Robots). ✅ Get my FREE 12-track album + 31-page zine http://penfriend.rocks/hello This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit penfriendrocks.substack.com

    1h 33m
  3. Music as a tool of unity - Rou Reynolds (Enter Shikari)

    09/15/2021

    Music as a tool of unity - Rou Reynolds (Enter Shikari)

    Get my FREE 12-track album + 31-page zine http://penfriend.rocks/helloVisit the deluxe show notes page for this episode: http://penfriend.rocks/rou.Read the text version: http://penfriend.rocks/rou-tsRou Reynolds is a vocalist, songwriter, composer, author and award-winning producer, best known for fronting Enter Shikari. Formed in 1999, the band are known for making outspoken, genre-spanning music accompanied by explosive live shows. In this episode, we discuss pre-album writing anxiety and ways to get started on new projects, exploring subjects matter from songs in a more expansive way, the reality of being a supposed "Myspace band" - social media platforms as part of a larger puzzle, music making as mountain climbing: tough and lonely at times - but exhilarating, too, mindfulness and meditation as tools for a better understanding of ourselves and the importance of a decent chair when you're someone who sits in one all day long. I'm Laura Kidd, an independent music producer, songwriter and visual artist based in Nottingham, UK, making music as Penfriend (formerly She Makes War and Obey Robots).Join The Correspondent's Club on Patreon and support future podcasts, music and videos http://patreon.com/penfriendrocks/about This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit penfriendrocks.substack.com

    1h 5m
  4. Celebrating a breadth of voices in music - Miki Berenyi (Piroshka / Lush)

    09/01/2021

    Celebrating a breadth of voices in music - Miki Berenyi (Piroshka / Lush)

    Get my FREE 12-track album + 31-page zine http://penfriend.rocks/helloVisit the text version of this episode at http://penfriend.rocks/miki-tsContent warning: this is a very joyfully sweary episode so probably not best listened to in the presence of kids. About my guest: Miki Berenyi is a singer, songwriter and guitarist who first became known in the late ’80s and ’90s as a member of Lush, and currently makes music in Piroshka. In this episode, we discuss how Miki was a huge inspiration for teenage wannabe-musician me, what it's like for her starting a new band after 20 years out of the music world, how creative work *is* work…but that’s okay, escaping the cartoon image of “Miki from Lush” and our shared future in chilblain rock. I'm Laura Kidd, an independent music producer, songwriter and visual artist based in Nottingham, UK, making music as Penfriend (formerly She Makes War and Obey Robots). Join The Correspondent's Club on Patreon and support future podcasts, music and videos http://patreon.com/penfriendrocks/about This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit penfriendrocks.substack.com

    1h 32m
  5. Ep46: Ginger Wildheart on creating a you-sized shape in the world of music

    08/18/2021

    Ep46: Ginger Wildheart on creating a you-sized shape in the world of music

    Visit the deluxe show notes page: http://penfriend.rocks/ginger Read the text version: http://penfriend.rocks/ginger-ts . Thanks for listening! Attention Engineer is a show where I share deep conversations with fellow artists about creativity, grit and determination. My aim is to consistently remind you - and remind myself - that creativity really is for everyone. Let’s kick that inner critic where it hurts! . About my guest: Ginger Wildheart has been busy releasing music since the late 1980’s: as the leader of British rock band The Wildhearts, as a solo artist and as a member of numerous side projects and collaborations. Ever keen to find new ways to embrace his special relationship with supporters of his music, over the years he’s experimented with release methods outside the record label model including crowdfunding triple album 555% and running fan subscription club “the Ginger Associated Secret Society” or G-A-S-S. . Pre-order The Wildhearts’ 10th studio album “21st Century Love Songs” now – out on 3rd September 2021. . In this episode, we discuss why Ginger would rather be a member of Sparks than a bigger but vastly inferior band, songwriting as a service, the beauty and resonance of the direct to fan relationship, the life-changing power of a song, why learning what not to do is more valuable than learning what’s awesome and what about the music industry? – predictions for a more sustainable, less bloated future. . About your host: I'm Laura Kidd, a music producer and solo artist releasing music as Penfriend. Come and grab two free songs plus letters about art and music from http://penfriend.rocks/hello. . My new album “Exotic Monsters” is out now: http://penfriend.rocks/exoticmonsters Sponsor the podcast here: https://penfriend.rocks/sponsorship . Have a fab day! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit penfriendrocks.substack.com

    1h 6m
  6. Ep45: Mary Spender on finding a smarter route to a full-time music career and building a huge fanbase on YouTube

    08/04/2021

    Ep45: Mary Spender on finding a smarter route to a full-time music career and building a huge fanbase on YouTube

    Visit the deluxe show notes page: http://penfriend.rocks/mary Read the text version: http://penfriend.rocks/mary-ts . Thanks for listening! . About my guest: combining her sultry voice and electric guitar to create rock songs infused with blues and soul, Mary Spender’s songwriting showcases her virtuosic style of guitar playing as well as her wide vocal range. Mary has amassed over 46 million hits on her YouTube channel, with nearly half a million subscribers watching her weekly videos, predominantly targeted towards guitarists and singer/songwriters. . She also offers online courses in Ableton Live (with producer Rachel K Collier) and Fingerstyle Guitar for Beginners on her website maryspender.com. . In this episode, we discuss finding a smarter way to grow your audience as a musician – opting out of the traditional singer-songwriter slog to make a full-time job of being a guitar nerd, what it takes to go from zero to half a million YouTube subscribers, how finishing John Mayer’s song for him led to a surprise package in the post and negative online comments – finding empathy for those who love to hate you on the internet. . About your host: I'm Laura Kidd, a music producer and solo artist releasing music as Penfriend. Come and grab two free songs plus letters about art and music from http://penfriend.rocks/hello. . Here's the direct link for my YouTube video about slaying your inner critic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3RQWj88Jck&t=1s . AND my new album “Exotic Monsters” is out now: http://penfriend.rocks/exoticmonsters . Recommended listening after this: Ep44: Ken Stringfellow (The Posies / R.E.M. / Big Star) on saying "yes" and Ep11: Skating Polly on the importance of dedication Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit penfriendrocks.substack.com

    48 min
  7. Ep43: Lou Barlow (Sebadoh / Dinosaur Jr / The Folk Implosion) on building a body of work...however the f*** he wants to

    07/07/2021

    Ep43: Lou Barlow (Sebadoh / Dinosaur Jr / The Folk Implosion) on building a body of work...however the f*** he wants to

    Visit the deluxe show notes page: http://penfriend.rocks/lou Read the text version: http://penfriend.rocks/lou-ts . Thanks for listening! Attention Engineer is a show where I seek to make the best use of my own valuable time and attention by having deep conversations with fellow artists about creativity, grit and determination. My aim is to consistently remind you - and remind myself - that creativity really is for everyone….because it really is. Let’s kick that inner critic where it hurts! . About my guest: a founding member of the groups Dinosaur Jr., Sebadoh and The Folk Implosion, Lou Barlow is credited with helping to pioneer the lo-fi style of rock music in the late 1980s and early 1990s. His stunning fourth solo album "Reason To Live" is out now. . In this episode, we discuss letting go of self-criticism and comparison to focus on creating a body of work, making albums at home – how combining digital tools with cassette tape recordings makes for something unique, the quest for an undeniably beautiful song and the self-inflicted anguish of releasing music into the world. . About your host: I'm Laura Kidd, a music producer and solo artist releasing music as Penfriend. Come and grab two free songs plus letters about art and music from http://penfriend.rocks/hello. . My new album “Exotic Monsters” is out now: http://penfriend.rocks/exoticmonsters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit penfriendrocks.substack.com

    49 min
  8. Ep42: Shingai (Noisettes) on finding creative freedom through generosity

    06/23/2021

    Ep42: Shingai (Noisettes) on finding creative freedom through generosity

    Content warning: two brief mentions of suicide, in the context of having lost friends. . Visit the deluxe show notes page: http://penfriend.rocks/shingai Read the text version: http://penfriend.rocks/shingai-ts . Thanks for listening! Attention Engineer is a show where I seek to make the best use of my own valuable time and attention by having deep conversations with fellow artists about creativity, grit and determination. My aim is to consistently remind you - and remind myself - that creativity really is for everyone….because it really is. Let’s kick that inner critic where it hurts! . About my guest: Shingai Shoniwa is the legendary front woman and bassist from the Noisettes. Dubbed “The new afrofuturist pop goddess” by Rolling Stone, her debut solo album “Too Bold” was released in October 2020 and marks a new chapter of her journey. This sonic odyssey through an effervescent soundscape fearlessly infused with a soulful yet spontaneous spirit is the sound inspired by Shingai’s London, Bantu and Zimbabwean heritage. . In this episode, we discuss making music that’s a movement, too, the importance of creativity in a happy household, and how music helped Shingai navigate a childhood packed with grief, stepping off the major label conveyor belt and making music against the odds as an independent artist with integrity and the detrimental effect of social media and influencer culture on everyday creativity. . About your host: I'm Laura Kidd, a music producer and solo artist releasing music as Penfriend. Come and grab two free songs plus letters about art and music from http://penfriend.rocks/hello. . My new album “Exotic Monsters” is out now: http://penfriend.rocks/exoticmonsters . If you enjoyed this episode, I think you'll enjoy: + Episode 39: Stephen Jones (Babybird) http://penfriend.rocks/stephen + Episode 36: Sananda Maitreya (FKA Terence Trent D'Arby) https://penfriend.rocks/sananda + Episode 40: Laura Kidd (me!) http://penfriend.rocks/laura . Til next time xo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit penfriendrocks.substack.com

    1h 22m
See All (56)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

I'm Laura Kidd, an independent music producer, songwriter and visual artist based in Nottingham, UK, making music as Penfriend (formerly She Makes War and Obey Robots). My mission is to encourage creativity in others by sharing my artistic process, plus thoughts on the philosophy of creativity. In my first podcasting era 2019-2021 I interviewed 50 of my favourite artists and comedians for my "Attention Engineer" episodes. I asked nosey questions about creativity, grit and determination and received some surprising answers... In 2024 I missed podcasting so much I decided to start sharing here in a different way. Subscribe to join me for the next part of this journey! penfriendrocks.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    (formerly Attention Engineer)
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2021
  • Episodes
    56
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Penfriend
  • Show Website
    Penfriend's Letterbox

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