Kula Shaker Unveils New Track ‘Broke As Folk’ in 2025
Kula Shaker has recently released their second new track for 2025, “Broke As Folk.” According to Crispian Mills, the song is dedicated to individuals who didn’t attend Jeff Bezos’s wedding or belong to the 1%. The tune addresses the world’s financial struggles that have persisted for quite some time. It also emphasizes the importance of cherishing non-materialistic joys like friendship, family, and activities like foraging for mushrooms. Additionally, the track features a captivating organ solo by Jay, which Mills believes is exactly what the world needs at this moment.
The song “Broke As Folk” was both written and produced by Kula Shaker, with production taking place under the guidance of Peter Miles at Middle Farm Studios in Devon, UK.
Kula Shaker, a British psychedelic rock band renowned for its fusion of 1960s rock with Indian music elements, originated in London in 1995. Despite emerging during the Britpop era, the band distinguished itself from contemporaries like Oasis and Blur through its incorporation of Eastern mysticism, Sanskrit lyrics, and traditional Indian instruments such as the sitar and tabla.
Led by Crispian Mills, the band’s founding member and vocalist/guitarist, Kula Shaker’s formation was heavily influenced by Mills’ spiritual journey to India. Inspired by Hindu philosophy and music, Mills, along with Alonza Bevan (bass), Paul Winterhart (drums), and Jay Darlington (keyboards), initially formed a group called The Kays in 1993. By 1995, they had rebranded themselves as Kula Shaker, drawing inspiration from King Kulashekhara, a revered figure in Vaishnava Hinduism.
Their debut album, “K” (1996), marked a significant commercial breakthrough for the band, claiming the top spot on the UK Albums Chart. Featuring popular singles like “Tattva,” “Govinda,” and “Hey Dude,” the album stood out for its spiritual themes and Sanskrit lyrics, offering a unique flavor to the Britpop landscape. Notably, the track “Govinda,” sung entirely in Sanskrit, became the first such song to secure a position in the UK Top 10. Along with critical acclaim, Kula Shaker also faced controversies stemming from Mills’ vocal spiritual stance, as well as a misinterpreted interview regarding swastikas.
Subsequent efforts, like the ambitious and intricate “Peasants, Pigs & Astronauts” (1999), did not match the commercial success of their debut, leading to internal strife and, ultimately, the band’s dissolution in 1999. However, a reunion in 2004 saw the release of new material, including an EP titled “Revenge of the King” (2006) and a full-length album, “Strangefolk” (2007), reestablishing their presence in the music scene.
Over the years, Kula Shaker continued to push musical boundaries with albums like “Pilgrims Progress” (2010) and “K 2.0” (2016), reaffirming their psychedelic and Indian-inspired roots. The release of “1st Congregational Church of Eternal Love and Free Hugs” (2022) and “Natural Magick” (2024) further solidified their position as trailblazers in the psychedelic rock genre, captivating audiences with their spiritual depth and eclectic sound.
In conclusion, Kula Shaker remains a treasured gem in British rock history, celebrated for their adventurous spirit and genuine exploration of spiritual and musical realms that transcend time and culture.