Crispian Mills (Kula Shaker)

Crispian Mills (Kula Shaker)

From Songwriting For Songwriters by =ELIJAH=

February 3, 2026 · 52 min · Season 4 · Episode 2

About this episode

Crispian Mills discusses his unique songwriting approach and the mystical influences behind Kula Shaker's music.

Crispian Mills (Kula Shaker) 'It's something to do with control and chaos' Crispian Mills is best known as the songwriter, singer, and guitarist behind Kula Shaker, and his writing stands out for how boldly it blends classic pop craft with spiritual curiosity. At a time when Britpop leaned heavily on irony and everyday realism, Mills zigged toward mysticism—pulling from Indian philosophy, psychedelic rock, and ’60s melodies, sometimes even weaving Sanskrit lyrics into radio-friendly songs. Crispian Mills is a great example of a songwriter who fully committed to his inner obsessions—and in doing so, carved out a sound and lyrical identity that still feels singular. Kula Shaker existed in an alternate reality. Emerging in the midst of Britpop’s lad-culture swagger and retrograde cool, they appeared like a luminous anomaly — flooded with Sanskrit and sitar-drenched feedback as they became one of Britain’s most exhilarating live bands. Fronted by the spiritually restless Crispian Mills , the band carved out their own mystical counter-narrative, fusing British psychedelia and eastern mysticism that felt less like a gimmick and more like an invocation. Phenomenal success soon followed…

People in this episode

Host: =ELIJAH=

Guest: Crispian Mills

Topics covered

  • songwriting
  • music
  • spirituality
  • Britpop
  • psychedelic rock
  • lyrical identity

Keywords

  • Crispian Mills
  • Kula Shaker
  • Britpop
  • spirituality
  • psychedelic rock
  • songwriting
  • Sanskrit lyrics

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Kula Shaker, Oasis

Books & works: Britpop

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