Interview by Paul Salfen
Kula Shaker has always existed in an alternate reality, a luminous anomaly in the midst of Britpop’s lad-culture swagger. Emerging in the mid-’90s with Sanskrit-laced lyrics, sitar-drenched feedback, and a mystical counter-narrative, they fused British psychedelia with Eastern mysticism in a way that felt less like a gimmick and more like a spiritual invocation. Fronted by the restless Crispian Mills, the band became one of Britain’s most exhilarating live acts, headlining Glastonbury twice in one weekend, scoring one of the fastest-selling double-Platinum debuts with their 1996 album K, and opening for Oasis at their era-defining Knebworth shows. Now, nearly three decades later, Kula Shaker—still powered by their original lineup of Mills (vocals/guitar), Alonza Bevan (bass), Paul Winterhart (drums), and Jay Darlington (Hammond organ)—is back at the peak of their creative powers, gearing up for their eighth album, Wormslayer, set for release on January 30, 2026.
This fall, Kula Shaker joins forces with Portland’s psych-rock stalwarts The Dandy Warhols for a Western U.S. tour, kicking off on September 22, 2025, in Salt Lake City and hitting Texas for a string of dates before heading to the West Coast. “We’ve always dug the Dandy Warhols’ tunes and their stonesy vibe,” Mills says, his excitement palpable. “Not to mention their work with the Velvets and their defining contribution to Pop Art. It’s going to be a blast traveling around with them!” The Dandy Warhols’ Courtney Taylor-Taylor echoes the sentiment: “We love that band, and we’re going to have a really good time hanging out with them.”
In a recent interview with AMFM Magazine, Mills opened up about the band’s whirlwind year, their creative evolution, and the cosmic chemistry that keeps Kula Shaker’s fire burning. Fresh off a UK tour with Ocean Colour Scene and riding the wave of their new single “Good Money,” described by Jammerzine as a “retro-tastic stance in the stanza with bravado and flair,” Kula Shaker is ready to bring their technicolor energy to American audiences.
A Psychedelic Road Trip with The Dandy Warhols
The upcoming tour with The Dandy Warhols is a match made in psych-rock heaven, blending two bands with a shared love for raw, vibrant soundscapes. “We tend to offer an assortment of live goodies,” Mills teases. “Songs like ‘Govinda,’ ‘Tattva,’ and ‘Hush’ are always a joy because they never get tired. They just run and run, like good German motor cars. Must be some kind of enchantment.” The setlist, however, is a delicate balancing act. With a catalog spanning hits and deep cuts, Kula Shaker must avoid getting lost in a “cul-de-sac of psychedelic epics,” as Mills puts it. “You don’t want a seven-minute meltdown followed by an eight-minute meltdown,” he laughs. “You’ll blow out all the fuses!” Instead, fans can expect a mix of classics and new tracks like “My Lucky Number” and “Good Money,” which Mills says “tallies well” in the live setting.
“Good Money” is a kaleidoscopic whirlpool of ‘60s psychedelia, sumptuous soul, and retro-freakery funk, with a video that’s as bold as the song itself. “Our last video was all in-camera, real stunts, real props, and epic battle scenes, which people assumed was AI,” Mills explains. “So we took a different approach with ‘Good Money.’ The whole video is entirely AI-generated by two monkeys. We gave them the song and the lyrics, and this is what they came up with. It’s kind of mind-blowing.” Lyrically, the track delves into a Faustian pact, part of a broader psychedelic opera woven throughout Wormslayer. “It’s a story about a boy in a small community who grows wings,” Mills says. “Some think he’s a freak, some think he’s a cherub, others see him as an opportunity to make money. Is it a metaphor for the music business? I’d say it’s a metaphor for life.”
Wormslayer: A Psychedelic Odyssey
Wormslayer promises to be Kula Shaker’s most ambitious record yet, a journey through technicolor soundscapes and storytelling. Previewed by singles like “Charge of the Light Brigade” and “Broke as Folk,” the album showcases the band’s signature celestial vocal harmonies and vibrant energy, while exploring new territory. Tracks like “Dust” touch on pastoral folk with nods to Yeats, “Little Darling” channels gothic crooning à la Roy Orbison jamming with The Doors, and the title track, “Wormslayer,” delivers expansive mantra-metal with cinematic flair. “I hope people enjoy the twists and turns this new record takes you on,” Mills says. “We always loved those psychedelic records that had great songs, great production, great storytelling, and took you on a journey. Kula Shaker has a life of its own. We’re just passengers, watching it happen in real-time.”
Mills’ 14-year-old son gave the album’s title track his seal of approval, a testament to its bold impact. “He said, ‘If you call it Wormslayer, it better be big,’” Mills laughs. “I played it for him, and he was complimentary, so I think we got away with it.”
The Art of Staying Connected
Kula Shaker’s enduring chemistry is rooted in their shared evolution. “You need a bit of luck,” Mills says when asked what keeps the band’s spark alive. “We’ve strangely continued in a sympathetic kind of evolution. We still find each other fairly entertaining and funny, and we see the world in a similar way.” That connection is vital when you’re spending long hours in a van, staring at the open road. “Traveling, queuing, waiting—that’s the stuff you hate,” he admits. “But when the moment comes to play music, you’re ready, focused.” The band’s DIY ethos shines through in their creative process, from crafting AI-generated videos to curating setlists that balance nostalgia with innovation.
Mills’ journey into music began at age 11, when The Kinks’ “You Really Got Me” hit him like a revelation. “I was walking down a dark hallway toward a brightly lit room, and this music was blasting,” he recalls. “It was like entering the inner sanctum of a temple.” That moment in the mid-’80s set him on a path that would define his life. “Great music takes you outside of time and space,” he says. “It’s beautiful, and it’s alive.”
Advice for the Next Generation
For young musicians inspired by Kula Shaker’s legacy, Mills’ advice is straightforward: “Do what you love. It comes naturally, and you’ll willingly dedicate yourself to it.” He stresses the importance of chemistry, whether in a band or any creative pursuit. “Be around people who bring out the best in you,” he says. “A band is an organism, not a bunch of individuals. They make you sound better than you actually are.”
Mills’ spiritual outlook also shapes his approach to life and music. “Your life should be a creative act, fresh and spontaneous,” he says. “It’s a life of service, understanding that everything is a gift. You’ve got to remind yourself that life is a miracle.” That mindset keeps him grounded, even amidst the grind of touring. “We see a lot of America from the inside of a van,” he says, reflecting on a recent drive from French Quebec to Vermont. “It’s wonderful, but rest stops? Humanity is not at its best in a service station.”
Back to Texas and Beyond
As Kula Shaker prepares to return to Texas for the first time in a decade, Mills is eager to reconnect with American fans. “It’s been a long time,” he says. “We’re excited to get back.” With Wormslayer on the horizon, a U.S. tour with The Dandy Warhols, and a renewed sense of purpose, Kula Shaker is proving that their psychedelic fire still burns bright. For fans old and new, this fall’s tour is a chance to witness a band at the peak of their powers—enchanting, electrifying, and timeless.
Catch Kula Shaker and The Dandy Warhols on tour this fall, and look out for Wormslayer, out January 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ami Jay.
