Royel Otis Leads ARIA Nominations: Australia’s Next Big Indie Band

Royel Otis Leads ARIA Nominations: Australia’s Next Big Indie Band

November 17, 2024 Catherine Williams - Chief Editor Entertainment

Royel Otis: Rising Star in Australian Music

Last year, the Sydney band Royel Otis was nominated for Breakthrough Artist at the Arias. This year, they lead with eight nominations, including Album of the Year and Song of the Year. Guitarist Royel Maddell expressed his excitement: “It’s just so mind-blowing.” Singer Otis Pavlovic added, “It’s pretty surreal.”

In February, they launched their debut album, Pratts & Pain, and have since toured worldwide. Their success surprised Maddell, who described their journey as gradual. They progressed step by step rather than jumping to big venues.

Maddell and Pavlovic met in the Byron Bay music scene and began collaborating in 2019. Their friendship evolved into a close partnership, leading to three EPs since their first release in 2021. Maddell and Pavlovic’s sound combines Maddell’s jangly guitar with Pavlovic’s smooth vocals.

Their breakout single, Oysters in My Pocket, released in 2022, shows a timeless quality. They gained massive popularity through viral covers. In January, they reimagined Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s Murder on the Dancefloor, earning 50 million Spotify streams. They later covered the Cranberries’ Linger, which has 82 million streams.

Maddell acknowledges the nostalgia in their music, which hints at influences like The Smiths, The Cure, and 2010s indie bands such as Phoenix and MGMT.

Despite their viral fame, Maddell prefers to maintain anonymity. He noted, “People have gotten more respectful.” Despite the challenges of touring, Pavlovic found the experience thrilling.

Royel Otis’s Playlist

  • Music for Cleaning: Sinéad O’Connor’s songs.
  • Song They Wish They Wrote: “Just Like Heaven” by The Cure.
  • Underrated Classic: “Corridor of Dreams” by The Cleaners From Venus.
  • Funeral Song: “These Days” by Nico.
  • Best Sex Song: The Mario Kart theme and songs by Frank Ocean or Steve Lacy.
  • Opening Credits Song: “Hello” by Adele.
  • Karaoke Favorite: “Someone Like You” by Adele.

Royel Otis combines nostalgia with fresh sounds, making them one of Australia’s most compelling new bands. Their blend of influences and engaging performances ensure they will remain in the spotlight.