Royel Otis is one of those roads where you're better off getting on or off.
The psychedelic indie act from Sydney were, in Australian vernacular, breaking it late.
It was a ride. A first UK and European headline tour, a national tour with the DMA'S and now a headlining tour of their own. a nomination for the 2023 ARIA Awards in the Michael Gudinski Breakthrough Artist category. and a viral cover of Sophie-Ellis Bextor's “Murder on the Dancefloor”, for triple j's Like a Version spot which entered the ARIA top 40. and a multitude of worldly tunes were elements of the set-up for Pratts & Painrelease of Royel Otis' debut album.
Pratts & Pain It's named after the pub in Streatham, south London, local to Dan Carey (Wet Leg, Fontaines DC), who produced the new album in his home studio.
Held last Friday, February 16 by Andrew Klippel's Ourness, Pratts & Pain has caught the attention of tastemakers around the world, including NME, which celebrates its current cover stars as “Australia's next indie heroes”.
Their special “blend of propulsive beats and laid-back cool” has the Grammys praising the Aussies as one of the 25 artists to watch in 2024.
“Royel Otis is a testament to songwriting artistry and singular brilliance,” explains Klippel, who discovered, signed and mentored the career of award-winning Australian funkster Genesis Owusu. “We are excited to see the global engagement.”
Royel Otis is led by childhood friends Royel Maddell and Otis Pavlovic. Forming in 2019, the group immediately found their sound. a dreamy tug of nostalgia, catchy choruses wrapped in frantic guitar and opening harmonies reminiscent of peak MGMT — minus the synths.
The lads quickly hit their stride, breaking free Campus in 2021, Bar & Grill in 2022 and Kings of couches in 2023 – three EPs is that many years. Along the way, Going to Kokomo The single 'Kool Aid', 'Oysters In My Pocket' and more enjoyed support from BBC Radio 6 Music, triple j and the national youth broadcaster's army of listeners.
Triple j listeners spoke and voted, as Pratts & Pain The single “Sofa King” peaked at No. 76 on last month's Hottest 100 countdown and reached a Advertising sign chart, debuting at No. 36 on Alternative Airplay. Album track “Velvet” has enjoyed UK airplay on BBC R1 (Jack Saunders), BBC 6 Music (New Music Fix Daily), Apple Music 1 Matt Wilkinson + Playlist and Radio X (John Kennedy).
In support of the album, Royel Otis is currently playing metro and regional Australian cities on a tour presented by Frontier Touring and triple j.
“We're over the moon to release our first album and even more so by all the love we've received around the world upon release,” reads a message from the group to Advertising sign. “Thank you all and thank you even more.”
Then, starting in April, an extensive tour of North America, Europe and the UK, including festival spots and the recently added shows in Los Angeles and Oklahoma City.
Drift Pratts & Pain below.
