The Songs Behind: Kula Shaker

2025 has already been a landmark year for Kula Shaker, releasing two of their best singles to date and contuining to take the live music scene by storm with their reunited classic line-up. The new music captures both their trademark spirit and a renewed creative fire, a thrilling prospect given the band have also teased an upcoming eighth studio album.

Kula Shaker's first new single of the year, ‘Charge of The Light Brigade’, was released back in April. It is a three-minute whirlwind of rich imagery and heady psychedelia that weaves mystical folklore into their unmistakable sound. The start of August then saw the group drop follow-up ‘Broke As Folk’, switching gears to a track that opens in moody, almost cinematic fashion before unfurling into warm, sunlit country-rock rhythms. The contrast between the two singles highlights the band’s ability to roam freely across genres while keeping that unmistakable Kula Shaker spirit at the core, a tantalising hint of what’s to come over the next year.

Alongside the new music, Kula Shaker have been killing it on the live scene this year, which has included spending time on the road with the likes of Ocean Colour Scene, as well as numerous highly regarded festival performances over the summer. Kula Shaker are now taking their live show over to North America for a string of special guest dates alongside the Dandy Warhols, preceeded by an exciting headline tour.

Kula Shaker 2025 North American Headline Tour:
Sept. 16 - Metro, Chicago, IL  
Sept. 18 - Mod Club, Toronto, ON    
Sept. 19 - Le Studio TD, Montreal, QC    
Sept. 21 - Brighton Music Hall, Boston, MA    
Sept. 22 - Irving Plaze, New York, NY  

With a legacy of genre-blending music and unforgettable live shows spanning nearly three decades, this next chapter feels like both a celebration and a reinvention, one that will carry across their upcoming North American tour. I’m joined by vocalist and guitarist Crispian Mills ahead of the upcoming live dates to discuss new music, upcoming live shows, and the band’s continued evolution, before diving into the songs that have shaped and inspired him as an artist in my ‘Songs Behind’ feature.


Your most recent release, ‘Broke As Folk’, explores many of the broken aspects of the world right now, but also highlights positivity and a spiritual appreciation for the things money can’t buy. How important is it to you to maintain that sense of hope and positivity in your songwriting?

"I oscillate between hope and despair continuously throughout the day. It’s easy to fixate on the negative, especially in our present culture and climate. So it’s important to remember that all worldly suffering and pleasure is temporary, and try to meditate on those things in life that are truly lasting. Only the good stuff lasts."

You’re coming up to the 30th anniversary of your debut album ‘K’, while also releasing some of the freshest and most relevant music of your career. How do you feel the band has evolved over that time, and what helps you keep things feeling fresh creatively?

"Well, it’s been great having Jay return to the band. That’s been an enormous boost. But on the whole, I would say that in order to remain creative, you just have to stay in love with life. Don’t let the bastards get you down. Life is a miracle. You are part of it, essentially, eternally, right on."

You’re now in the final dates of your UK festival run before heading to America for some exciting headline shows. When it comes to writing new material, how much does the live experience influence the process? Do you picture how songs will translate on stage from the start?

"Some songs are born live, others less so. Govinda was played for years before we put in on K. Our last song, 'Broke as Folk' initially came out of a live jam during ‘Jerry was There’."

I was lucky enough to see you play alongside Ocean Colour Scene earlier this year, and you were incredible. Now, alongside your upcoming US headline dates, you are going to be playing some shows with The Dandy Warhols. What’s it like touring with these other great bands, and does it impact your own performance in any way?

"Every consideration affects the performance. Before each show, we’ll check the vibe in the room, it’s very much like assessing the weather. ‘Should we wear our plastic raincoats and gum boots, or should we opt for flying capes and lycra?’ You read the room, then you play the show."

With such a deep discography now, and releasing some of your best music this year, how challenging is it to craft setlists that satisfy both yourselves and your fans?

"It’s getting harder and harder to choose, but we usually strike the right balance."