Nearly three decades after they first helped ignite a new wave of psychedelia, Kula Shaker are back in full technicolor force. Their latest album, Natural Magick, shot to the top of the UK indie charts and has been hailed as their strongest work yet, a kaleidoscope of mysticism, fuzz-drenched riffs, and sly humor. As they gear up for their first major U.S. tour in years, the band sat down with us to talk about spiritual warfare, velvet capes, and why their live shows feel as much like rituals as rock concerts.
“Natural Magick” topped the UK indie charts and is being hailed as your best work. What do you think resonated so strongly with fans this time around?
Alonza: Hard for us to answer; we’re not part of the collective mind.
Jay: I think it’s down to my nude photograph tucked discreetly into the inner sleeve, along with a crisp ten-pound note.
Crispian: What a cunning marketing plan that was.
Alonza: Honestly, we wanted to make an album of short, powerful psychedelic symphonies with a heavy dose of masala. The immediacy of the tracks helped. Plus, the cover looked like something from a transcendental sweet shop, which probably appealed to a public infantilized by their governments.
Paul: Maybe people are just tired of how things sound and look these days.
Jay: Hopefully we’ve brought some freshly baked old-school Magick into the arena.
The new single “Charge of the Light Brigade” is a sonic call to arms. What inspired its creation?
Crispian: Look around, you’ll notice we’re in the middle of a spiritual war. The forces of evil have most of their monsters out in the field, in plain sight, giving you the impression there’s no hope. Charge of the Light Brigade is about the angelic counterattack.
You’re bringing the Mad Alchemist Light Show on tour. How does the visual element tie into your themes?
Jay: Touring with the Liquid Alchemist earlier this year was a real buzz.
Crispian: The light show becomes its own live performance, every night feels like a different gig.
Jay: He’s a legend. The swirling, breathing lights were so alive I sometimes forgot I was in the middle of a show. You have to stop and take it in. The music influences the lights, the lights influence the music—it’s symbiotic.
This is your first major U.S. tour in years. How has your relationship with American audiences evolved?
Crispian: We’ve been lucky enough to play all over the world, and every country has its character. American audiences always dug our live shows and our psychedelic roots. And of course, we’ve got that U.S. pop culture legacy with I Know What You Did Last Summer. People still ask us about it! It’s all very amusing.
Spirituality, mysticism, and history often play into your lyrics. What influences are shaping this era of Kula Shaker
Paul: I can’t believe I’m about to answer something “spiritual” or “philosophical.”
Jay: Then don’t.
Alonza: Just tell us what you’re listening to.
Paul: I’m the drummer. It doesn’t matter what I’m listening to.
Crispian: Go on.
Paul: Fine. Afrobeat. Fela Kuti led me to Ebo Taylor, and lately I’ve been into Antibalas and Budos Band.
Crispian: Anything philosophical to add?
Paul: Yeah, Eric Fromm’s The Art of Loving.
Crispian: Not the kind of book the title suggests. You may be disappointed.
Jay: No pictures?
Paul: Sod off. It’s incredible.
Looking back on the ’90s, how does today’s psych-rock revival compare to when you came up?
Alonza: In the early ’90s, UK and European scenes were dominated by electronic dance and processed pop. Everyone said rock ’n’ roll was dead. In many ways, nothing’s changed. Psych rock has always been counterculture, slightly obscure. The internet makes it easier to find now, but back then we’d dig through thousands of records hoping the psychedelic cover art actually matched the music. Very hit or miss.
Will the tour lean more on new material or classics?
Jay: Expect loud psychedelic music, velvet cape swishes, murmured swearing at faulty gear, and coughing from the incense clouds. Something old, something new. We take our fun extremely seriously.
Paul: We’ll always play songs from K and Peasants, Pigs & Astronauts, but we’ve been sliding in new album tracks too. Charge of the Light Brigade and Broke as Folk went down surprisingly well on the UK tour. With the alchemical light show, anything feels possible.
What’s next after this tour and album? Another record? Maybe a live release?
Crispian: Our eighth record is sounding great and will be out soon. And yes, the inevitable live album is coming. Our live show is such a different beast than the records, we’ve been waiting for the right moment to capture it. The next 12 months will be action-packed.
Kula Shaker plays the Regency Ballroom in San Francisco on Oct. 8 // 1300 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94109
