
Bio
Katie Wise + Bhakti Explosion fuses the sweetness of heart-opening mantra with contemporary folk.
Bhakti Explosion was created in 2014 when yoga teacher and classically trained pianist Katie Wise combined her passions into leading kirtan (mantra chanting) with a western rock and roll flavor. The band's current lineup solidified after Katie’s longtime partner and bass player, Holy John Hoelle (Pro Audio), made room for the expansion of a family when Katie recognized a karmic connection with drummer JJ Jones (Girlyman). Joined often by lead guitarist Yoshi Aono (Acoustic Junction), this musical tribe has appeared at the biggest transformational music festivals in the US and internationally, such as Lovelight (MD), Unify (NM), Arise (CO), Folks Fest (CO), Hanuman Festival (CO), Bhakti Fest (CA), Shakti Fest (CA), Festival of Colors (UT), Stonehenge Music Festival (UK), and Holistic Manchester (UK).
Their debut album, Lovolution, produced by Grammy-nominee Ben Leinbach and featuring guest vocals by Jai Uttal, has received acclaim in the US (Yoga Journal, Yoga International), UK (Kindred Spirit, Yoga Magazine) and Australia (Soul Traveller Radio, and Australian Yoga Life), and was named “best chant album of the year” by American promoter Lloyde Barde. To capture the magic of their live events, they released two live albums: Live at the StarHouse (2019), and Live at eTown (2021) from their electrified sold out show at the legendary eTown Hall. Their second studio album, Akashic Rock, was released in 2023 on White Swan Records.
The band looks for ways to serve the greater community through music, through livestreams during the pandemic, and benefit concerts like #BoulderStrong, Yoga Gives Back for India, and StopBatten.org concert, where thousands of dollars were raised for the families of Boulder shooting victims families, better gun policy, Covid relief, and efforts to eradicate the rare children's disease Batten.
David Newman calls Katie a "a solid force and presence for those who look to their music for peace, heart, groove, and spiritual inspiration.” Australian Yoga life writes “Wise’s soulful, earthy voice embodies vulnerability in a way that turns emotion into art.” Katie Wise + Bhakti Explosion are America's pioneers of mantra-rock music. Their music has the power to heal and inspire the world. More at BhaktiExplosion.com.
Online
Artist Information
Genre: Contemporary Folk / Kirtan / Rock
Hometown: Boulder, CO
Influences: Trevor Hall, Jai Uttal, Deva Premal
Sounds Like: Sarah McLachlan, Rising Appalachia, Cowboy Junkies
Event Descriptions
Videos


Katie Wise + Bhakti Explosion sampler reel

Hey Ma Durga (radio edit) - Katie Wise & Bhakti Explosion

Meet Bhakti Explosion!

Katie Wise & Bhakti Explosion - Sweet Music
Downloads
Streaming
Press coverage
Yoga Magazine printed Katie's article on how kirtan curbed her life-long anxiety, in the April 2018 issue, page 24.
"The Bay Area's Magazine for Conscious Community since 1974" reviewed the album in the October 2017 issue page 40).
"Australia's longest running yoga magazine" reviewed the album in the summer 2017 issue.
Review in Whole Life Times, published in Apr/May 2017 issue.
Yoga Magazine (UK) reviewed the album in May 2017 issue.
Soul Traveller Radio
Played "Mystic Krishna" (radio edit) on Episode 12, Mar. 26, 2017.
Integral Yoga Magazine
Shared free song download in the Integral Yoga Newsletter, Issue No. 26, Mar. 11th.
Yoga International
Looking For Music For Your Yoga Class? This Playlist Is For You, published on Mar. 6, 2017. It features a writeup about “Ra Ma Da Sa / Hallelujah” and the song is featured in White Swan’s “Best Yoga Music of 2016” Spotify playlist, which is embedded in the article.
Yoga Journal
10 Best Pop Music Covers by Yoga Rock Stars, published on Nov. 2, 2016 featuring a writeup about "Lokha Love" from Lovolution.
Yoga Chat with the Accidental Yogist
Episode 255: Happy International Yoga—And Music—Day! Interview with lead singer Katie Wise + 2 featured songs from Lovolution: "Lokha Love" and "Om Mata Kali." Show aired on June 21, 2016.
In the Spirit radio show
Radio show host Gary Goldberg featured Lovolution on Gary's Music Show in 2016; he has featured Katie on the show several previous times. (3/2)