Honest talk about contemporary yoga culture from the YogaInternational.com editorial team.

Global trekker and Byron Bay-based singer-songwriter, producer and eco warrior Billy Otto offers up his latest labour of love. Let Me Loose is a regenerative war cry that appeals to the inner-child and offers up unrivalled access to a divine sense of freedom.

 Billy Otto’s sound lands somewhere between Radiohead and The Beatles. With confessional choruses, apprehending lyrics and sun-drunk vocals, Billy’s desire to stir audiences is self-evident. Finding global success over the last 4 years, Billy has toured over 30 countries, building a loyal following in Brazil, Sweden, USA, Japan and selling out shows in Australia with his raw and energetic presence.

Following the release of an eminent cover of The Cranberries’ Dreams with Kyle Lionhart and Our Song with a non-for profit collaboration for The Tambah Project, Billy Otto returns felicitously with a solo single. Crystalised by a chorus that you feel you’ve heard a thousand times before, Let Me Loose envelops you in pure nostalgia. This comforting familiarity of the 60s and 70s is felt through Otto’s warm-bodied falsetto harmonies and via a haven of George Harrison inspired hooks. 

This infectious bout of blithe was conjured amidst a moment of bitterness at the end of a relationship. Yet Otto sought to confront the indignation:

“And I just felt this dark sense of yearning for validation. I really felt resentful. But there was a calming spirit that came over me as I tuned my acoustic guitar low and just started strumming hard like I was from a 1968 Americana country rock band. The words ‘let me loose’ flowed out of my mouth and the entire song came together in the next 24 hours.”

Much like the letting go of a loved one, Let Me Loose meditates on the decoupling from the fundamentilist religion Billy Otto has felt “baked in.” Born into the Seventh Day Adventist church, Otto became a pastor and an international speaker. Otto explains, “I was so committed to my creed that in my honest zeal I lost many friends, left rock music for 10 years, judged a lot of people and found myself in a continuous loop of guilt believing that I wasn’t doing enough for the Kingdom of Heaven.”


On this latest release, Otto prays to the divinity within oneself and turns away from the shame that the toxic template of faith is so often steeped in. Hey says, “This is by no means a resignation of a former faith, but an assertion of the deepening of an existing faith. I had to lose God in order to find God.”

Weapsonised by his archetypal confessional language, Otto’s brutal imagery is dissolved in sunny chords and flamboyant keys. Let Me Loose is the breaking free from the subconscious wrestle; from a past self, a broken relationship and a belief system that no longer serves you. Painting the numbers of his message with colourful, inclusive brushstrokes, this song is ultimately a joyous conduit for togetherness and unity through music. 

In a time of global crisis let the intimate polymath that is Billy Otto offer you an alternative elixir to life. The answers for nourishment and hope are already within. Observe them, honour them and let them let you go. 

“On my ankle I’ve tied an anchor / Give me an  answer and I’ll cut myself free.”

From the flow state genesis, Jarrah-Ferris Smith (@jarrahmusic) tied up the initial writing session and from there producer Caleb Tasker (g Flip, Tuka, Lil Spacely) was the Lennon to Otto’s McCartney in his studio in Marrickville. Let Me Loose was also co-produced and mixed by Caleb Harris in Chicago. The sheer athleticism of the drums and colourful West African percussion was performed by Bobby Alu and mastered to perfection by Trent Dobson (Angus

Ziggy Alberts has built a dedicated global following through a powerful combination of captivating songwriting, persistent touring, and a fiercely independent ethos. His journey from busking on the streets of Byron Bay to commanding sold-out world stages as a solo artist stands as a testament to authentic connection and musical craftsmanship.

With over 1 billion streams across his discography, Alberts has firmly established himself as a folk powerhouse. Hits like "Runaway" - surpassing 100 million Spotify streams and achieving ARIA Triple Platinum status, Gold Status in Canada - and "Love Me Now" have resonated with audiences worldwide. His impressive collection of accolades includes ARIA Triple Platinum for "Laps Around The Sun," Double Platinum for fan favourites "Days In The Sun," "Gone," and the EP "Four Feet In The Forest," plus multiple Gold certifications and three APRA Music Awards for Most Performed Blues and Roots Work.

What truly sets Alberts apart is his unwavering commitment to independence. Rather than signing with a major label, he established his own music company, Commonfolk, allowing him complete creative control and the freedom to forge his own path in the industry. This pioneering approach has made him an inspiration for artists seeking alternatives to traditional music business models.

Alberts' touring resume demonstrates his work ethic and global appeal. His performances across Australia, Europe, the UK, North America, South America and South East Asia have transformed from intimate venues to major headline sets, including standout appearances at Bluesfest, Bonnaroo, Fuji Rock and Splendour in the Grass. His recent tours have seen him play to over 110,000 fans at headline shows, sell out London's Royal Albert Hall six months in advance, pack houses in Germany with crowds of 3,500+, and make impressive international debuts in Brazil and Mexico.

His seventh studio album, 'New Love', represents his most refined project yet. Divided between a warm, folk-inspired Side A and a more expansive rock-and-country-influenced Side B, the album mirrors life's inherent duality. Co-produced with longtime collaborator Garrett Kato, the album embraces an organic, minimalist approach that preserves the raw emotion of each track. Singles like "New Love," "Outlaw," and the introspective "Where Does The Love Go?" offer glimpses into Alberts' musical and personal evolution while maintaining the acoustic charm and emotional resonance that first captured his audience's hearts.

Ziggy Alberts offers a rich tapestry of sun-soaked folk that explores themes of love, self-discovery, and the pursuit of freedom and joy. His commitment to direct connection with his audience has built not just a fan base but a community united across continents by his music and message.

Krishna Das is one of the most popular singers of Indian devotional music in the world. Layering traditional Hindu kirtan with instantly accessible melodies and modern instrumentation, Krishna Das has been called yoga's "rock star." With a remarkably soulful voice that touches the deepest chord in even the most casual listener, Krishna Das – known to friends, family, and fans as simply KD – has taken the call-and-response chanting out of yoga centers and into concert halls, becoming a worldwide icon and the best-selling western chant artist of all time. His album ‘Live Ananda’ (released January 2012) was nominated for a Grammy in the Best New Age album category.  He released a string of well-received albums including "PILGRIM HEART", "BREATH OF THE HEART" and "DOOR OF FAITH," the former featuring the vocals of KD fan Sting, and the latter two both produced by Rick Rubin and utilizing, at the producer's request, a palette of traditional Indian instrumentation. KD is clear that he is first and foremost a devotee, with the sharing of his practice a profound act of his faith. Nevertheless, KD has become an iconic music presence, drawing in other artists, including Sting, Madonna, Mike D, Steely Dan’s Walter Becker, and Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen, some of whom are yoga devotees, while others are simply moved by the power of the music.

Diego lives with his family on the Sacred Valley Tribe community in Pisaq (Cusco). We share medicine ceremonies and medicine songs like part of the main practice of healing, connection and celebration within the community.

Lulu & Mischka, 2 souls devoted to union through sound and stillness. This Australia based international Bhakti-Yoga couple, comes to share their voices and soulful songs with you to chant together. Ancient mantras meet english lyrics, modern melodies 
fuse with magical harmonies enriched by Lulu’s lush vocals. This couple offers a chance to join their radiant journey into the powerful practice of chanting. They 
believe that coming together in the magical energy of joyful prayer brings us closer to each other, further away from separation and closer to Truth... leaving you with peace of mind and ﬁled with inner Joy. Blissful, ecstatic & meditative.... Stillness in motion

Mischkas humble guidance creates a supported space reminding us of our inner light. 
Lulus enchanting voice puriﬁes listeners as well as inspires and invites them to playfully explore 
their own true sound.

Website:
www.luluandmischka.com

Full Album:
http://luluandmischka.bandcamp.com/album/stillness-in-motion

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