Royel Otis

Royel Otis is an Australian indie-pop duo formed in 2019, consisting of Royel Maddell and Otis Pavlovic. The duo’s music combines indie rock, new wave, and psychedelic rock, drawing inspiration from 1970s British bands and early 2000s synthesizer sounds. Their name reflects the creative partnership between the two, with both artists contributing to the duo’s signature sound.

The pair first connected in Byron Bay and soon began collaborating on music. Their debut EP, Campus, released in October 2021, laid the foundation for their growing success. Their follow-up EP, Bar n Grill (2022), featured the breakout hit “Oysters in My Pocket,” which went viral, racking up over 86 million streams on Spotify and landing them a spot in the Spotify RADAR program.

In 2023, Royel Otis released Sofa Kings, their third EP, which peaked at number 43 on the ARIA Charts. Their debut album, Pratts & Pain, was released in February 2024 and debuted at number 10 on the ARIA Albums Chart. A deluxe version of the album followed in October 2024, adding new tracks like “Til The Morning” and “Claw Foot.”

The duo gained wider recognition with viral covers, including Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s “Murder on the Dancefloor” and The Cranberries’ “Linger,” which charted in the ARIA Charts and Billboard Hot 100. Royel Otis performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in October 2024, and their songs featured in EA Sports FC 24 and The Sims 4.

In November 2024, they signed with Capitol Records and completed a successful global tour. Despite their success, Maddell opts to perform with his face concealed, feeling more comfortable and focused during shows. At the 2024 ARIA Music Awards, they won four awards, including Best Group and Best Rock Album for Pratts & Pain.