Name: Exotic Monsters
Brand: Penfriend

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

MBS2104

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Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2021-05-21

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

5051142008565

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Total Cap

1 / CD / Extended format: No / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

MBS2102

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Blue

Space Blue

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5051142008541

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1 / Extended format: No / LP / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No / blue

Artist

Penfriend

Genre GB

Alternative / Modern

Label GB

My Big Sister Recordings

Penfriend is an innovative and talented artist who captivates audiences with her unique blend of electronic pop and heartfelt lyrics. With a background in classical music, she brings a depth and sophistication to her compositions that sets her apart from other artists in the genre.
Her music is characterized by catchy melodies, lush production, and introspective storytelling. Drawing inspiration from personal experiences and societal issues, Penfriend's songs resonate with listeners on a deep emotional level.
With her powerful vocals and thought-provoking lyrics, Penfriend has gained a dedicated fanbase around the world. Her live performances are electrifying, showcasing her dynamic stage presence and undeniable talent as both a singer and multi-instrumentalist.

Laura Kidd is a music producer, songwriter and digital polymath based in Bristol, UK. Starting her music career as a bassist and vocalist for hire, she toured the world and achieved her childhood dream of appearing on Top Of The Pops (three times!) with Tricky, A-Ha, Viv Albertine (The Slits), Lil' Chris, Alex Parks and Duncan James (Blue), as well as singing on screen with David Bowie in the Ricky Gervais TV series, "Extras".

From 2010 to 2019 Laura created her own audiovisual world under the moniker She Makes War. In that time she released four full-length solo albums and sixteen music videos, playing 600 shows with artists from The Brian Jonestown Massacre to Juliana Hatfield, Frank Turner, Suede, Carina Round (Puscifer), Amanda Palmer, Nadine Shah and Filthy Friends.

Since then, Laura has been making music as Penfriend. Part reinvention, part reckoning with a more confident, wiser self, her new project is a deliberate call for more meaningful connection at a time of cheap dopamine highs and increasing depersonalisation.

The debut Penfriend record, Exotic Monsters, builds on Kidd's accomplished ear for melody and ambitious production style, marrying disparate influences from Tanya Donelly, Juliana Hatfield and Nevermind-era Nirvana to the gritty tension of Nine Inch Nails and Puscifer and synth soundscapes of Depeche Mode, Tears For Fears and Sylvan Esso.

Written and recorded in solitary confinement during the drawn-out, tumultuous Brexit nightmare and well on into the Covid-19 pandemic, Exotic Monsters mirrors our dystopian world, posing questions and offering comfort, hope and a friendly shoulder to lean on. Drawing more from her wide-ranging reading list than her favourite bands, Laura deals with the gruelling emotional matters of 21st-century life with honesty, grace and warmth, using fragments of prose from Ursula Le Guin, Barbara Kingsolver, Kurt Vonnegut, Margaret Atwood and Mark Westmoquette as jumping-off points.

Exotic Monsters

Music GB

Buy Penfriend - Exotic Monsters (Vinyl, CD) now from Rough Trade - independent purveyors of great music, since 1976.