HIDDEN GEMS - ROYEL OTIS

Written by Laura Weingrill / Photography by Royel Otis

Sydney-based dream-pop pair Royel Otis have slowly but surely become a household name in the indie music scene. Founded by friends Otis Pavlovic and Royel Maddel, the dazzling duo was birthed after the latter returned to Australia after living in New York for a short while and found himself working at a bar, where he met Pavlovic, who had just finished school. Since then, the duo has released multiple EPs and singles and gained a devoted following and critical acclaim from fans and industry insiders alike thanks to their unique sound and electrifying live shows.

“My name is Royel, and his name is Otis. We didn’t have to think on it for too long,”, laughs guitarist Maddel, already offering a taste of the humorous and laidback nature of the two-piece band. Since their emergence and despite their current upsurge within the world of indie music, it seems that the duo hasn’t lost track of their infectious energy and fun-loving attitude. And that in itself already sets them apart from many, as Maddel adds: “We don’t necessarily try to stand out, but I think how much fun we have translates. I feel like a lot of bands have forgotten to have fun.”

The story of the rising band started four years ago, with a couple of demos getting sent from vocalist Pavlovic to Maddel, who had, up until then, only ever spoken briefly when meeting at bars or gigs. But what started just as an initial idea of interest, quickly grew into the collaboration of their lives, and now, a few years down the line, the duo has found themselves working towards their third EP ‘Sofa Kings’, which is set to be released on the 31st of March, and travelling around the world to share their eclectic sound with the enamoured audiences found away from the land down under. Excitedly enough, even a slot at this year’s Reading and Leeds festival has already been confirmed (definitely one to not miss out on). So, at this point, do the two friends look back on their path with the confidence of knowing they would have always ended up where they are now? “Not at all, but the eels in our local park make their way to New Caledonia every year, so stranger things have happened,”, Maddel rather cryptically explains, before deciding upon a very unique way of describing their sound to someone who has never heard of them before. “Frank Spencer in nice trousers with pyjama tops.”

Looking at the duo’s eclectic discography, it is apparent that they draw their inspiration from a variety of sources, including their personal experiences and the music they grew up listening to. Take their so-far biggest hit, the addictive ‘Oysters In My Pocket’, which has by now become almost impossible not to stumble upon while shuffling through indie playlists on Spotify, and which has been greeted with massive outbursts of fan-love ever since its release. Speaking about the inspiration behind the track, the group has previously stated in their trademark humour that the song is their way of “showing appreciation to the bivalve molluscs that put some boost in our juice and some fire in the libido. Each one is as unique as our very own fingertips. Heck, don’t pass up an opportunity when you come across these suckers. Stuff them in your pockets and be the life of any party. Influenced by the yearning for a more lavish life than we can afford, and maybe The Jam. Live any life you like, just don’t spell Royel Otis without Oysters. You just can’t. Give it a shot.”.

But all jokes aside and underneath the electrifying indie pop numbers that are primed for streaming playlists, there is a lot of sincerity and authenticity to be found within the band’s music to give everything just the right balance. Only recently, the newly released ‘Sofa King’, the title track off their forthcoming third EP which will also feature the much-beloved singles ‘I Wanna Dance With You’ and ‘Kool Aid’, stuns with a soft acoustic guitar and a bright and summery vibe. Accompanied by a video that sees the duo perform the song against the backdrop of a coastal cliff, it pays homage to their hometown of Sydney and reconnects them once more to their roots.

Above all, it is the love and close relation to music that initially brought the Australian band together – and it is also what has captured the hearts of indie lovers all over the globe. “To me, music is an expression of insecurity with confidence in a place of comfort,”, guitarist Maddel retells while touching upon the meaning and importance of music in his life, whether that be in a professional or private setting. Thanks to the band’s deep level of commitment to creating songs that are enjoyable and light, but never lacking in meaning or emotional depth, they have already been able to set themselves apart from their peers and give them the necessary push to the wave of a breakthrough the two friends are currently riding on.

Looking at all the exciting things that 2023 has got in store for them, the two-piece is looking forward to a calendar packed with touring, for example as the support of the world-famous Alt-J on their Australian tour, as well as a heap of festival appearances. And with their upcoming EP waiting just around the corner, it seems that the future of the two best mates could not be any brighter. But no matter how crazy life gets, they know they will always have each other – and their carefree attitude, just as their plan ahead concludes: “More shows, more shots, more lows, more shoes, and more news.”