Kula Shaker - A pop-rock mantra

2016 is a crucial year for Kula Shaker. First and foremost because they've returned to recording after a six-year hiatus, with the excellent K 2.0, and also because this year marks the twentieth anniversary of their masterpiece K. We couldn't pass up the chance to have a chat with the band: Crispian Mills (vocals and guitar) and Paul Winterhart (drums and percussion) kindly agreed to answer our questions. What came out of it was an entertaining email exchange that ranged across their career, but also touched on - given the importance of multiculturalism in Kula Shaker's music, it seemed only fitting - a sensitive political topic like Brexit, and their own take on spirituality.

Hi, who's there? How are you doing? Where are you writing to me from?

Paul and Crispian: Hi, it's Paul and Crispian. Right now we're at Barcelona airport, on our way back to London from a gig. It's not going great: we're exhausted, there's nothing vegetarian to eat, and our flight is delayed by three hours.

A full twenty years separate K from K 2.0. I'd like to start this interview by asking you, broadly speaking, how you've seen the music scene change over this long stretch of time, and how your own approach to it has changed.Paul: We've always drawn inspiration from the spirit of adventure and abandon that music seemed to carry in the sixties and early seventies. What came after - I mean the business side and the technology - has largely been harmful to music.

Crispian: I agree. I inevitably end up listening to a lot of music on my phone, and mp3s sound like shit.

The influence of India and its spirituality has always been an essential ingredient in your music. Compared to your early days, how has your approach to this spirituality changed, and how you weave it into your songs?

Paul: I still feel like a beginner. Sure, we've played a ton of rock'n'roll, toured across the world, started our own record label, even started families, but... spiritual journeys? We're only at the beginning.

Crispian: Yeah, we're pretty calm about it. More aware, less insecure, less rich.

Sorry to keep harping on about this twenty-year thing, I swear I'm not trying to make you feel old, but I'm very curious about the genesis of a song from K 2.0, Infinite Sun. It's a track you've been playing live for about twenty years, yet it was never included on an album until now. Why did you keep such a powerful anthem on hold for all this time?

Paul: Hmm, I don't think we were already playing Infinite Sun as an actual song twenty years ago.

Crispian: No, it was a Native American chant we used to jam on, and it only became a song for the latest record.

Paul: Yeah, that's right. Anyway, it was born out of sitting on cushions around a table with friends, incense and chillums, or maybe around a fire with Krishna devotees singing bhajans.

Crispian: A pretty normal evening for Kula Shaker, then.

Let's move on to today's music scene. There's a band, Yeasayer from New York, who - even though they make completely different music from yours - somehow bring to mind your own way of blending pop and ethnic music. Have you ever listened to them? What do you think?

Paul: I have listened to them, they sound extremely interesting.

Crispian: Yes, I keep an eye on them.

Have you come across anything interesting in music over the last few years? Want to recommend something to our readers?

Paul: Last year I saw Battles live, they were a powerhouse, so percussion-driven. Then I really liked the first two Tune Yards records, and Warpaint. Oh, and there's someone called Du Blonde, she's brilliant.

Forgive me for the digression, but I'd like to touch on the political topic of the moment with you. How did you, who have always represented the multiculturalism of London and the UK, take the result of the Brexit referendum?

Crispian: Look, I don't think Brexit can change London. There's a ton of bullshit fuelling paranoia on both sides of this dispute. I don't believe in grown-ups, and 'don't believe the hype'.

You're about to start a tour for K's twentieth anniversary. What should we expect from these shows?

Crispian: Well, they asked us if we wanted to play K in its entirety, and we thought, 'of course we have to', 'obviously, it's the twentieth anniversary'. And it really is a complete work, meant to be listened to from start to finish, perfect for turning into a big show. We only recently started rehearsing for the tour, and it's been wonderful revisiting it. Of course there'll be some surprises too, at the start and end of the shows.

You'll be playing in Italy soon, what do you expect from your Italian fans?

Crispian: We love playing in Italy. We love the fans, the food, the beauty.

Thanks guys, have a good evening.

Crispian and Mark: Thank you, ciao (in Italian).

Ride the wave of great music

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