Prime purveyors of psychedelia and one of the biggest bands of the ‘90s, Kula Shaker are back and stronger than ever. Featuring their classic line-up – Crispian Mills (vocals/guitar), Alonza Bevan (bass), Paul Winter Hart (drums) and fan favourite Jay Darlington (Hammond organ) – the band’s previous album, 2024’s ‘Natural Magick’, topped the UK indie charts, achieving their highest chart position in a quarter-of-a-century. Now Kula Shaker build on that momentum with today’s release of the brand new single ‘Broke As Folk’ — accompanied by an epic video directed by Mills, filmed on the furthest south-western cliffs of Cornwall, England.
Howling wolves, foreboding keys and sparse gothic guitars set an ominous tone before ‘Broke As Folk’ suddenly changes gear. What emerges from the shadows is a luminous flourish of Cadillac choruses and Doors-esque grooves, led by Darlington’s inimitable swirling Hammond and Mills’ beguiling lyrics — “Now Day is Night, and Night is Day…”
Crispian Mills: “‘Broke As Folk’ is a song for everyone who didn’t fly in for Jeff Bezos’s wedding; who isn’t part of the 1%; who’s ‘feeling the heat’, courtesy of our toxic overlords. Being ‘broke’ isn’t just about money, it’s a condition of the soul, a near-constant state of PTSD, which applies to most of us, if we’re honest. What do we do when reality itself is broken? When everything we read or hear (at least in the ‘official’ narrative) has lost all credibility. What replaces it? The song is also about the flip side, about counting one’s blessings, being grateful for the joys that money can’t buy. Like faith and family and friends, and foraging for wild mushrooms. It’s also got a really cool organ solo by Jay, which is what the world needs right now.”
‘Broke As Folk’ is written by Kula Shaker, produced by Alonza Bevan, and mixed by Ash Howes.
As Kula Shaker put the finishing touches to their 8th studio album (TBA) the video for’Broke As Folk’ continues the theme of the ‘Charge of The Light Brigade’ (released by the band in April) with its mystic twist on Madchester, and allusions to spiritual vampires and war mongering. This Spring, the band also made a high impact return to the live arena, with a sprawling UK tour as special guests to Ocean Colour Scene. Their new era has been supported with coverage including The Guardian, Loaded and Northern Exposure, as well as fresh airplay from Amazing Radio.
Kula Shaker emerged during the Britpop era, very much as an anomaly: their sound evoking echoes of Jimi Hendrix, The Doors and Deep Purple but with a spiritual ethos reminiscent of George Harrison’s ‘All Things Must Pass’, an energy befitting the optimistic zeal of the mid-’90s. Their debut track ‘Grateful When You’re Dead/ Jerry Was There’ a launched series of classic hits: the free-spirited rush of ‘Hey Dude’ (#2), the unstoppable hooks and Indian mantra vibes of ‘Tattva’ (#4) and ‘Govinda’ (#7) plus their famous take on the classic ‘Hush’ (#2).
