Tulpa - Monster Of The Week Tulpa

Tulpa are very new: nothing has been released up until now, not even a digital single. Despite this, they attracted the attention of Marc Riley & Gideon Coe, who invited the band to record a live BBC6 Music session this summer. Around the same time, Skep Wax Records were sent the finished album and knew they had to release it. Meanwhile, in the creative hotbeds of the UK’s DIY festivals and indie venues Tulpa are quickly gathering a loyal following. They have recently supported Throwing Muses, Pale Blue Eyes and Bug Club and will be playing a series of headline gigs in October and November 2025.

What is a Tulpa?

It’s a mythical being manifested into existence through the act of concentrated thought, like an imaginary friend brought to life, but (sometimes) scarier…

This album has some of the same qualities. A whole set of loud, catchy, perfectly-crafted pop songs have been conjured into existence - and want to be part of your life. Josie’s hyper-melodic lead vocals are cool and crystalline - but the lyrics are warm and human. The twin guitars create a sonic mesh, a web of textures that traps you, whether you like it or not. And yes, something scarier does lie below the surface. Occasionally the guitars force their way to the front, furious and intense. And sometime those lyrics aren’t as innocent as they first appear. The danger, just below the surface of the songs, is maybe that’s what makes this album so arresting…

First single ‘Let’s Make A Tulpa!’ is an upbeat crunchy pop song that explodes into a huge chorus, somewhat in a Breeders vein, that will encourage sober people to throw themselves around their living rooms. ‘Psyops’ is gentler, but spooky and equally compelling, with echoes of Yo La Tengo: hypnotic in the extreme. ‘Amateur Hour’ is a lilting, gentle confessional. By contrast, ‘Raw Nerve’ is all frenzied guitars, and may remind seasoned listeners of the spiky excitement of Josef K.

Tulpa consist of Josie Kirk (vocals, bass), Daniel Hyndman (guitar), Myles Kirk (guitar) and Mike Ainsley (Drums), and are based in Leeds.

It was recorded by Jamie Lockhart (The Cribs, Mush, Drahla), the first to be produced at his new studio at Lamigo Bay, in the Highlands of Scotland.