The Well – Love Cult (Xmas)
Austin Psych-Rockers The Well share a new video today for ‘Love Cult (Xmas).’
The band recently announced their fourth full-length studio album …And Flames Ran Like Living Animals, out September 14 on Spaceflight Records.
The video for ‘Love Cult (Xmas)’ perfectly encapsulates the vibe of the track. Dark, reverent, maniacal, ritualistic, and festive.
Bassist and vocalist Lisa Alley says “Ian saw a headline about a cult in Colorado during the pandemic when the news first broke. The story was compelling and inspired ‘Love Cult (Xmas).’ It was one of those magical moments where the song came together in one sitting, pretty much fully formed.” She adds “HBO released a documentary about it: Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God in 2023. We introduced the song to our live set in 2021. It’s been a crowd favorite from the onset and we are very excited have the recording finally available on …And Flames Ran Like Living Animals.
The video was shot in Ian’s (likely haunted) woodshed and in the middle of the rural Texas countryside in the heat of summer, adding to the feverish atmosphere. Directed, filmed and edited by TV’s Daniel (Radioactivity, Bad Sports, Mugger) using in camera and practical effects, it pays homage to the MTV videos of the late eighties and early nineties. Grimy, eerie, raw. Secret guest appearance by Luis Herrera (Cast of Thousands, TV’s Daniel, Rough Kids) as the figure wrapped in Christmas lights, writhing in sacramental cloth and moths.
…And Flames Ran Like Living Animals is the follow up to 2019’s Death & Consolation. Of the new album, vocalist and guitarist Ian Graham says “I think it’s our most diverse album because it’s packed with the intense emotional peaks and valleys that have defined the last 6 or 7 years. It’s been a wild ride, so of course this album reflects it.”
The first four songs were recorded with Bryan Richie (The Sword, Spaceflight Records) at Paper Weapons Studio in Taylor, TX and the band continued to write and craft and play live (supporting 1000mods, Truckfighters, and headlining tours.) Lisa Alley talks about the process “We decided, or embraced the opportunity to be able, to not rush it. To treat these first new songs with care. We emerged more contemplative, maybe… deliberate. Recalling the spirit with which we approached our first album, we spent time with the mood of each song, the dynamics, the storytelling, but we also came at them with the intent that they be played live.” She continues “We were building a live set, more precious after the time away from that possibility.”
The rest of the album was written and recorded in the storm of 2025 with longtime collaborator Chico Jones producing, mixing and doing additional tracking to the Taylor sessions, and Max Lorenzen of Rare Earth mastering the set. These songs feel very now; though not directly speaking to any one current issue fighting for attention in the long list of today’s headlines, they are of it, and snatch you up in recognition.
The end result, “…And Flames Ran Like Living Animals,” is a push and pull, a swing of an ax and a sigh of relief, a call to arms and a suggestion of inner battles to conquer first. A balm, but also a mirror. A reminder that we’re going through this moment together.
The Well will be showcasing the new album with late summer and fall tour dates with support from Moon Destroys & Pink Fuzz, along with a Leviation appearance 9/13. Ian Graham says “Sci-fi psychedelic, occult kink, heartbreak, post apocalyptic murder madness. Rejoice within the riff.”
Lisa Alley talks about being on the road: “We’ve always been a band that tours heavily, but heading out this time feels special, as it is the first time since the pandemic that we have a new album to bring along and share and celebrate. We got extra pep in our step.”
“We scored advance copies of “…And Flames Ran Like Living Animals” special Magma edition from Goldrush Vinyl as we rolled out of town. A select number will be available each night at the merch table directly from the band, so get your tickets & get there early to ensure you are able to secure an advance limited edition copy. “
The Well team up with Moon Destroys (members of Torche, Royal Thunder) on this east coast portion of tour, who also have a new album, Omni, out September 4th on Blues Funeral Recordings. Denver’s Pink Fuzz join the west coast dates in October, hot off their recent single ‘Manipulator.’
Live Dates
With Moon Destroys:
08.25 – Philadelphia, PA – Milkboy
08.26 – Brooklyn, NY – The Wood Shop
08.27 – Hamden, CT – Space Ballroom
08.28 – Lowell, MA – Taffeta Music Hall
08.29 – Rochester, NY – Bug Jar
08.30 – Toronto, ON – Bovine Sex Club
09.01 – Cleveland, OH – Beachland Tavern
09.02 – Detroit, MI – Small’s
09.03 – Indianapolis, IN – Black Circle
09.04 – Nashville, TN – The 58
09.05 – Dayton, OH – Fairborn Phoenix
09.06 – Chicago, IL – Sleeping Village
09.07 – Milwaukee, WI – X-Ray Arcade
09.08 – Kansas City, MO – Sk8bar
The Well Only:
9.13 – Austin, TX – Levitation Festival
With Pink Fuzz:
10.08 – Albuquerque, NM – Sister Bar
10.09 – Trinidad, CO – Fancy Spider Fest
10.10 – Denver, CO – Federal Theatre
10.11 – Colorado Springs, CO – What’s Left Records (The Well Only)
10.13 – Fort Collins, CO – Surfside 7 (The Well Only)
10.14 – Frisco, CO – 10 Mile Music Hall
10.15 – Salt Lake City, UT – Aces High
10.16 – Boise, ID – Neurolux
10.17 – Yakima, WA – Bearded Monkey
10.18 – Vancouver, BC – Astoria
10.20 – Seattle, WA – Funhouse
10.21 – Portland, OR – High Water Mark
10.22 – Sacramento, CA – Cafe Colonial
10.23 – Oakland, CA – Thee Stork Club
10.24 – Vista, CA – Booze Bros
10.25 – Costa Mesa, CA – Wayfarer
10.26 – Los Angeles, CA – Zebulon
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