Penfriend's Letterbox – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Technical and general information from the podcast's RSS feed.

Penfriend's Letterbox

(formerly Attention Engineer)

Music

Arts

Frequency: 1 episode/10d. Total Eps: 56

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

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Recent rankings

Latest chart positions across Apple Podcasts and Spotify rankings.

Apple Podcasts

🇨🇦 Canada - musicInterviews
12/08/2026
#69
🇨🇦 Canada - musicInterviews
11/08/2026
#96
🇨🇦 Canada - musicInterviews
10/08/2026
#71
🇨🇦 Canada - musicInterviews
09/08/2026
#45
🇬🇧 Great Britain - musicInterviews
12/06/2026
#95
🇬🇧 Great Britain - musicInterviews
11/06/2026
#49
🇬🇧 Great Britain - musicInterviews
27/03/2026
#92
🇬🇧 Great Britain - musicInterviews
26/03/2026
#50
🇬🇧 Great Britain - musicInterviews
26/10/2025
#80
🇬🇧 Great Britain - musicInterviews
25/10/2025
#40

Spotify

No recent rankings available

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

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https://penfriendrocks.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&#38
56 shares
http://penfriend.rocks
28 shares
http://penfriend.rocks/join
24 shares

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu_mPlZbomAgNzfAUElRL7w
2 shares

RSS feed quality and score

Technical evaluation of the podcast's RSS feed quality and structure.

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RSS feed quality

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Score global : 64%

Publication history

Monthly episode publishing history over the past years.

Year

Latest published episodes

Recent episodes with titles, durations, and descriptions.

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

Wednesday, November 3, 2021 • Duration 01:23:37

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

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

Wednesday, September 29, 2021 • Duration 01:32:43

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

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Ep40: Laura Kidd (Penfriend) quizzed by Miles Hunt (The Wonder Stuff) on "Exotic Monsters" and always going deeper...

Wednesday, May 19, 2021 • Duration 01:28:28

Welcome to a very special episode of the podcast, where my friend Miles Hunt of The Wonder Stuff turns the tables on me and steals the host microphone to quiz me on my new album "Exotic Monsters"!

In this conversation, we discuss being a doing person - how completing little projects gives me energy, the role of letter writing in my life from childhood to now, taking the time to get things right in your work, so they won't haunt you forever, facing up to your ghosts, and finding new freedom through music.

Order your copy from http://penfriendrocks.myshopify.com - thank you for supporting independent music!

Thank you for listening 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

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Bonus Musical Mini Episode - Seventeen

Saturday, May 15, 2021 • Duration 05:51

Step backstage and hear more about the making of my recent single "Seventeen".

Get three songs immediately when you order my new album at http://penfriend.rocks/newalbum

Get "Seventeen" pay what you want/can here.

Thank you for listening! 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

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Bonus Musical Mini Episode - Black Car

Saturday, May 15, 2021 • Duration 06:50

Step backstage and hear more about the making of my recent single "Black Car".

Get three songs immediately when you order my new album at http://penfriend.rocks/newalbum

Watch the video at http://penfriend.rocks/blackcar

Thank you for listening! 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

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Ep39: Stephen Jones (Babybird) on surviving chart success and finding true connection with music fans

Wednesday, April 14, 2021 • Duration 01:27:51

Thanks for listening! Visit penfriend.rocks/stephen for the deluxe show notes for this episode, and head to Bandcamp to dive into Stephen's incredible back catalogue.

In this conversation, we discuss the importance of making music that’s for you first, the strange and inappropriate uses of “You’re Gorgeous” in pop culture, from Prince William to Barack Obama, how Bandcamp is the best internet version of DIY and the awkward glamour and excitement of making a million-dollar music video with Hollywood royalty.

My album pre-order is now live at http://penfriend.rocks/newalbum - thanks for supporting independent music!

If you’d like to sponsor a future episode of the podcast, find out three easy ways to get involved at all levels penfriend.rocks/sponsorship

All my work is supported by The Correspondent's Club, who have been powering the making of new music and podcasts since May 2020. Browse free and paid tiers at penfriend.rocks/join

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

Ep38: David Brewis (Field Music) on leaning into the editing process - inspiration is overrated

Wednesday, April 7, 2021 • Duration 01:27:09

Thanks for listening! Visit http://penfriend.rocks/davidb for the deluxe show notes for this episode, and head to http://field-music.co.uk to pick up the new album “Flat “White Moon.

In this conversation, we discuss how inspiration is overrated, and having to work on your idea doesn’t make you a worse artist (plus it’s fun!), the importance of sharing our experiences, to help younger artists have the encouragement we didn’t get ourselves, being prepared for the highs and lows of releasing albums – actually planning it in, how learning to do everything yourself can be faster than explaining what you want to someone else, the futility of playing support slots (even if they’re with your favourite bands), and why you don’t go to see Field Music for a good night out.

My album pre-order is now live at http://penfriend.rocks/newalbum - thanks for supporting independent music!

If you’d like to sponsor a future episode of the podcast, find out three easy ways to get involved at all levels http://penfriend.rocks/sponsorship

All my work is supported by The Correspondent's Club, who have been powering the making of new music and podcasts since May 2020. Browse free and paid tiers at http://penfriend.rocks/join

Until next week... xoxo

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

Ep37: Ryan Miller (Guster) on constantly throwing seeds…even if a lot of them will never sprout

Wednesday, March 31, 2021 • Duration 01:23:53

Thanks for listening! Visit penfriend.rocks/ryan for the deluxe show notes for this episode.

Ryan Miller is the lead singer and guitarist of alternative rock band Guster. Formed in 1991, Guster have released eight studio albums, performed with symphony orchestras and played a LOT of gigs. Since co-writing and scoring the film “Nobody” with Rob Perez, Ryan has composed music for “Safety Not Guaranteed”, “The Kings Of Summer”, “The Fundamentals Of Caring”, “Mr Roosevelt” and “The Last Summer”. After moving to Vermont from New York, Ryan began hosting a TV series on Vermont PBS called “Makin’ Friends With Ryan Miller”.

In this conversation, we discuss the life of a multi-hyphenate artist – how giving yourself permission opens up the canvas of possibilities, not being scared to try new things, because your fans don’t remember your failures, the band / fan relationship – how Guster invented street teams in the 90s, and put their fans at the centre of everything they do and how overlapping your interests is like putting more colours onto your canvas.

My new album "Exotic Monsters" is available to pre-order now via http://penfriend.rocks/newalbum - thanks for supporting independent music!

If you'd like to sponsor a future episode of this show, visit the Sponsorship page for three easy ways to get involved.

The Penfriend songs featured in this episode are "Cancel Your Hopes" (intro), "Everything Looks Normal In The Sunshine" (instrumental) and "Black Car" (at the end). Visit the Songs page for more.

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

Ep36: Sananda Maitreya on making a masterpiece of your life

Wednesday, March 24, 2021 • Duration 01:10:14

Thanks for listening! Visit http://penfriend.rocks/sananda for the deluxe show notes for this episode, and head to http://sanandamaitreya.com to pick up the new album "Pandora's PlayHouse".

Artist, composer, arranger, producer, multi-instrumentalist, entrepreneur and Post Millennium Rocker Sananda Maitreya had his light switched on at the age of 2 by the music of the Beatles and has been a fool for music ever since. His debut solo album, “Introducing the Hardline” was released in July 1987 under the name terence Trent D'Arby, producing hits including “If You Let Me Stay”, “Sign Your Name”, “Dance Little Sister”, and the number one hit “Wishing Well”, and he’s released 12 wide-ranging albums in the years since.

In this conversation, we discuss making a masterpiece of your life, not just your art, letting go of an abusive past and learning to fly again, Sananda's relationship with his singing voice, the life of an artist - a career or a calling?, the value of surrendering to the creative process and allowing it to surprise you and making music that babies are conceived to - is there any greater compliment for an artist?

My album pre-order is now live at http://penfriend.rocks/newalbum - thanks for supporting independent music!

All my work is sponsored by The Correspondent's Club, who have been powering the making of new music and podcasts since May 2020. Browse free and paid tiers at http://penfriend.rocks/join

Until next week... xoxo

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

Ep35: Danz CM on having fun and being weird

Wednesday, March 17, 2021 • Duration 01:01:40

Visit the deluxe show notes page: http://penfriend.rocks/danz

Read the text version: http://penfriend.rocks/danz-ts

Thanks for listening! Visit http://penfriend.rocks/danz for the deluxe show notes for this episode, and head to http://zdanz.com to explore her musical world.

In this conversation, we discuss digging deeper to make the most meaningful music you can, why your creative ideas have to light you up, the whys and wherefores of changing a project name as a solo artist; how reinventing yourself is a way to grow artistically PLUS getting on with it – using the internet to learn how to do the things we want to do, then doing them!

My album pre-order is now live at http://penfriend.rocks/newalbum - thanks for supporting independent music!

All my work is sponsored by The Correspondent's Club, who have been powering the making of new music and podcasts since May 2020. Browse free and paid tiers at http://penfriend.rocks/join

Until next week... xoxo

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

Penfriend's Letterbox – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Penfriend's Letterbox – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Other99+

Youtube5

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Other99+

Youtube5

Patreon1