Kula Shaker talk Korea, Doctor Who and Charge Of The Light Brigade. It’s always an eclectic and entertaining time talking to frontman Crispian Mills. As a true card-carrying member of the Kula Shaker fan club, I am so damn happy this band is back on the British psychedelic rock scene where they truly belong.
So I was thrilled when I got a chance to catch up with frontman Crispian Mills this week as he travelled back to Cornwall following rave reviews during the sell-out tour with Ocean Colour Scene.
Named after a ninth-century mystic, Kula Shaker first burst onto the British music scene in the ’90s with debut hit Grateful When You’re Dead / Jerry Was There, followed by Top 5 songs like Hush and Tattva before releasing the legendary Govinda.
I had the honour of filming with the KS dudes in the ’90s when I was a telly producer at MTV. Soon after, the band became UK album chart-toppers with 1996’s imperious multi-platinum selling debut album ‘K’ and the follow-up Peasants Pigs & Astronauts before taking a hiatus.
Having formed their own label, Strangefolk, in 2007, Kula Shaker have slowly but surely returned to their sonic summit. A prolific surge of writing, which began in 2023 with 1st Congregational Church Of Eternal Love And Free Hugs, was followed by the highly acclaimed Natural Magick in 2024. 
Kula Shaker – New Album News
Fast forward to now, as Crispian reveals the next album drop is well on its way, with special gigs and events to celebrate its release, as well as even a trip to play a former bunker in Korea.
The band began recording their upcoming album in Alonza’s studio in Belgium before heading off to the deepest, darkest Devon to lay down the rest. Mills says the process on this album was a mix of jamming, ideas and lyrics, and then let the Kula Shaker alchemy commence.
“It was laid down live very quickly, and this was the first,” he says of the new single Charge Of The Light Brigade. “It’s a very heavy-sounding record, considering there’s no electric guitar on it. The drums and acoustic guitar were recorded at the same time onto the same microphone. Space echo, fuzz bass and harpsichord were added afterwards and — Presto! The cavalry arrived.”
The band will drop three singles ahead of the LP, which Mills says will be on vinyl, too. So it is very cool for us record collectors, with demand being very high for such a bespoke album.
As a music journo, I was treated to an advance listening of the first single Charge Of The Light Brigade which is a scarily catchy anthem of a song. No big guitar solos on this one, just great lyrics and the layers of sound Kula Shaker are famed for.
The Omen
The video for Charge Of The Light Brigade was filmed at All Saints Church by Putney Bridge which featured in The Omen movie where the vicar, played by Patrick Troughton, was famously impaled.
It was a no-brainer to film this stunning slice of video magic at this legendary location. “I am a big Doctor Who fan,” Crispian says, “but was a bit young when Patrick was playing The Doctor. So I went back and watched his series, and he was definitely the best.
“He lived near me and was a soft and intriguing man and a great actor.” I totally agree with Crispian on this one.
When it comes to guitar playing, not only is Mills a vocalist, but his guitar chops are sublime, soaring, packed with wah-wahs, and often underrated. For me, Mills is a class act on the guitar. When you hear his riffs, you instantly know you are listening to Kula Shaker.
“I always wanted to play the guitar,” he says. “It was the only thing I wanted to do. Then I fell into singing, but guitar is my love. I think I play scrappily rather than like the virtuosos out there.”
Having completed successful tours of North America, Asia, the UK and Europe last year, Kula Shaker are well and truly back on the world stage. Crispian says the band will be back to tour the USA, Australia, Japan, the festival circuit, and beyond, so our international fans will be pleased.
Kula Shaker, live, are a whole experience with huge anthems, a killer production show with awesome lighting and backdrops, fantastic fans and an energy like no other gig I have been to.
The band’s sound feels even more amplified than ever with the return of Hammond organ wizard Jay Darlington after a decade with Oasis and various Gallaghers. With bassist Alonza Bevan and drummer Paul Winter-Hart, this reunites all four members of the band’s classic line-up.
Sounding the charge for 2025, Charge Of The Light Brigade trailers the release of a new studio album, and we can’t frikkin’ wait. The video will premiere at MetalTalk at 9 am on Saturday, 12 April 2025.
Kula Shaker have proved they are still one of the most exciting entertaining, relevant and renowned bands around, and long may this continue.
Charge Of The Light Brigade will premiere at MetalTalk at 9 am on Saturday, 12 April 2025.
Charge of The Light Brigade will be released on 10 April 2025 via Strangefolk Records and can be ordered via slinky.to/ChargeoftheLightBrigade. 
Charge Of The Light Brigade
Charge of the Light Brigade took place on 25 October 1854.
Which is also the Battle Of Agincourt (439 years prior).
Which is also St Crispian’s Day.
Huge thanks to the Kula Shaker and their team, Ken Lower and Ali O’Malley for a brilliant interview.
Kula Shaker are currently on tour with Ocean Colour Scene as very special guests on their 2025 UK tour. Extra dates have been added due to huge demand, and will see the bands playing 24 dates across the country including two dates at London’s O2 Academy Brixton on 4th April and 1st May and two dates in Glasgow on the 15th and 16th April.
Tickets are like gold dust. You can try your luck here.
