For my first ever News Shopper blog post, I caught up with Laura Kidd, a “vocal chameleon” and multi-instrumentalist living in Herne Hill, and the one-woman whirlwind behind She Makes War.

A woman of many talents, over the last few years, Laura has made videos, toured and performed with an assortment of other bands, including musical miscreants and Dizzee Rascal favourites The Young Punx, and on occasion been a session musician for artists from Tricky to I Blame Coco. But now, she's concentrating on her solo project, She Makes War, a unique brand of punk-rock baroque-pop which is infectious and evocative, with ethereal soundscapes, gorgeous vocals, circus costumes and playful, pantomime theatrics.

When Laura has time in-between seducing what seems like the entire internet with She Makes War, her favourite places in South-East London include: “Brockwell Park, The Florence Pub for great veggie burgers, roasts and brunches, The Lido Café for pancakes and coffee by the pool, Olleys for pea fritters and the best chips around, Franco Manca in Brixton for organic sourdough pizza and the Sunday farmer's market in Brixton for really yummy and unusual cakes. Turnip and grape, anyone? It's delicious!”

Although she moved to London in 2004, Laura admits that until she settled in Herne Hill, she had “become quite disillusioned and lonely living in London. Moving to Herne Hill was fantastic because I finally had friends who lived walking distance away. It's the people that make a city and this area is full of really friendly creative types, many of whom I met at last June's - where local artists took over the old Apollo video shop and turned it in to a community arts space for a month.”

Like any South East London resident, as well as the positive sides, Laura also knows the negative traits all too well: “There have been stabbings just around the corner from my house, and I was burgled a few months ago. Apparently the burglary rate in the area is high, although it usually feels safe to walk around. Being on the borders of Camberwell, Brixton and Dulwich is always going to be an interesting culture clash, hence so many artists and creatives living here. Most of it is wonderful, but it's a shame about the bad bits.”

I Am, the latest single by She Makes War, was released today. Listen to it on the She Makes War website, or watch the video on YouTube. And then, make sure you let me know what you think! Or, if you know any creative types based in South East London that I should be chatting to for my next post, then tell me more in the comments.