Royel Otis is one on those runs where you best get on-board, or move clear out the way.
The psychedelic indie act from Sydney has been, in the Australian vernacular, smashing it of late.
It’s been a ride. A debut headline tour of the U.K. and Europe, a national tour with DMA’S, and now a headline trek 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 slew of cosmic-chill tunes were elements of the set-up for Pratts & Pain, Royel Otis’ debut album release.
Pratts & Pain takes its name from the pub in Streatham, south London, the local for Dan Carey (Wet Leg, Fontaines DC), who produced the new album at his home studio.
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Dropping last Friday, Feb. 16 through Andrew Klippel’s Ourness, Pratts & Pain has caught the attention of tastemakers around the globe, including the NME, which celebrates the current cover stars as “Australia’s next breakout indie heroes.”
Their special “blend of propulsive rhythms and laid-back cool” has the Grammys lauding the Aussies as one of 25 Artists To Watch In 2024.
“Royel Otis is a testament to the art of songwriting and being unique shining through,” explains Klippel, who discovered, signed and guided the career of multiple award-winning Aussie funkster Genesis Owusu. “We’re thrilled to see the global engagement.”
Royel Otis is led by childhood friends Royel Maddell and Otis Pavlovic. Forming in 2019, the group immediately located its sound; a dreamy tug of nostalgia, catchy choruses, wrapped in jangly guitar and up-front harmonies that remind of peak MGMT — minus the synths.
The lads quickly hit their strides, releasing Campus in 2021, Bar & Grill in 2022 and Sofa Kings in 2023 – that’s three EPs is as many years. Along the way, Going Kokomo single “Kool Aid,” “Oysters In My Pocket” and others enjoyed support from BBC Radio 6 Music, triple j and the national youth broadcaster’s army of listeners.
Triple j’s listeners spoke, and voted, as Pratts & Pain single “Sofa King” landed at No. 76 on the Hottest 100 countdown last month, and made its way into a Billboard chart, debuting at No. 36 on Alternative Airplay. Album track “Velvet” has enjoyed U.K. spots with 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, for a tour presented by Frontier Touring and triple j.
“We are over the moon to have our first album out and further more beside ourselves from all the love we’ve received around the world on the release,” reads a message from the group to Billboard. “Bless ya all and thank ya even more.”
Then, from April, an extensive tour of North America, Europe and the U.K., including festival spots and recently added shows in Los Angeles and Oklahoma City.
Stream Pratts & Pain below.