Since their debut single came out earlier in Spetember, we fell in love with Tulpa. They are a Leeds-based four-piece whose sharp melodic instincts and restless creative energy make them one of the most exciting new names in UK indie music. The band consists of Josie Kirk (vocals, bass), Daniel Hyndman (guitar), Myles Kirk (guitar), and Mike Ainsley (drums). Guitarist Daniel Hyndman was previously the lead guitarist and songwriter in the post-punk outfit Mush, but Tulpa take a very different path. Their songs are driven by melody, invention, and a kind of pop exuberance that transforms their experimental impulses into hook-filled, emotionally direct anthems. The raw energy, ambition, and intelligence of Mush remain—but here they’re channelled into something brighter, more immediate, and gloriously tuneful. Their debut digital single, Let’s Make a Tulpa!, is an upbeat, crunchy pop song that bursts into a colossal chorus, recalling the ecstatic energy of The Breeders. Transfixed Gaze, their second single, out today, is another perfect noise-pop song, demonstrating that their debut album has many great songs in store. It is about a world where everywhere you look people seem to be brainwashed, combining zombie-movie paranoia, fizzing guitar energy and Josie’s hyper-melodic vocal.
Tulpa’s debut album, Monster of the Week, will be released on November 28th via Skep Wax, with a series of headline shows throughout October and November 2025.

What They Say: “The second single from Monster of the Week. Loosely the tale of two people who meet in a dull town in England and feel contemptuously towards most people around them except each other. Set to a kind of poppier Sonic Youth-y detuned guitar backdrop.”

“– 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…“

Their Mixtape:

3D’s – Beautiful Things

I really like this band, especially when Denise sings. Josie and Myles are both Kiwis and are more knowledgeable about all things Flying Nun. These guys are a little different to some of the earlier Flying Nun vibes but it’s very much to my taste, noisy and melodic. I listened to The Venus Trail record a bunch while writing for Monster of the Week.

Pylon- Crazy

I didn’t hear Pylon until recently. It felt like being a teenager discovering a classic band and becoming obsessed, I thought those days were finished. Great band, amazing song. REM cover also great.

Jeffrey Lewis – Sometimes life hits you

The most upbeat song from an uncharacteristically depressing Jeffrey Lewis record. We saw Jeffrey at the Brudenell recently and it was one of my gigs of the year.

My Bloody Valentine – New You

Not much that can be said about this band that hasn’t been said. I love this 3^rd record as much as Loveless, which is my unpopular/sacrilegious opinion. It’s possibly the singularly best sounding record I have ever heard. New You really stands out as a beautiful pop song, and it may be the best use of tremolo since How Soon is Now? I think this is how blissed out we would probably want Tulpa to sound if we could spend two decades making a record.

The Breeders – Drivin’ on 9

Wearing our influences on our sleeve a bit, but who cares. Could have picked anything from the first few records, we we’re all digging Kim’s new solo record a lot while making the album.

Pavement – Shoot the Singer

The dream is to make records that make someone feel the way I felt as a teenager listening to Pavement. My whole peer group were obsessed with all things Pavement, granted we were probably stoned, but they felt like the whole world. Perfect Sound Forever!

Holiday Ghosts – Big Cold River

When Tulpa first started out, it seemed the only gigs we ever booked were supporting HG. They are great and me and Josie used to listen to the first record a bunch when we first met, so it was nice to do some shows with them. This song is kind of an outlier for the band, but I really dig it.

Sun City Girls – The Shining Path

This album has everything. This song is like something from a western movie score, but most of the record is more in the pocket of Butthole Surfers or Meat Puppets except way more experimental. Don’t listen to this if you’ve had a heavy night the day before, it made me feel quite unwell.

  

Transfixed Gaze is out now via Skep Wax Records. Monster Of The Week will be out on November 28th. Look HERE for more information on Tulpa.