Royel Otis Artistfacts

2019-
Otis PavlovicVocals, rhythm guitar, piano2019-
Royel MaddellLead guitar, backing vocals, bass, synthesizer2019-
Royel Otis is a guitar-pop duo from Sydney, Australia, named after its members, Royel Maddell and Otis Pavlovic. Their sound blends indie pop with elements of new wave and psychedelic rock, creating a timeless, guitar-driven style with a hint of '90s nostalgia.
Otis Pavlovic and Royel Maddell first crossed paths in a Sydney bar in the late 2010s, though their lives had overlapped long before - Otis Pavlovic's uncle and Royel Maddell's dad were close friends. Maddell cut his teeth on guitar in high school bands, while Pavlovic spent time busking and trading songs with friends. When they finally started swapping demos, the chemistry was apparent. By the start of the pandemic, the pair were holed up in Maddell's tiny home studio crafting the songs that would become their first proper releases.
Their early recordings landed in the hands of label owner and manager Andrew Klippel in mid-2020 thanks to producer Julian Sudek, who had been helping them shape the tracks. "I remember on my second listen going, 'Hang on, these guys are amazing songwriters,'" Klippel told Billboard. "And Otis' voice was distinctive and memorable. To me, that was a no-brainer."

Within three months, Klippel was managing the duo, and they signed a label deal with his independent record company, Ourness.
They debuted with three EPs: Campus (2021), Bar & Grill (2022) and Sofa Kings (2023). Bar & Grill includes their breakout single, "Oysters in My Pocket," certified Gold in Australia.
Their acoustic covers of Sophie Ellis-Bextor's "Murder on the Dancefloor" and The Cranberries' "Linger" went viral, with each earning millions of YouTube views. Thanks to gaudy streaming numbers, "Linger" landed on the Billboard Hot 100 at #94.
Their full-length debut album Pratts & Pain was released in February 2024 and netted them four ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association) Awards, including Best Group and Best Rock Album, and multiple AIR (Australian Independent Record) Awards for both the record and its marketing team.
Royel Otis' 2005 single "Moody" drew criticism for sexist lyrics referring to a former partner as a "bitch." The band apologized for unintended offense, emphasizing the narrative nature of the song. Despite the backlash, "Moody" became one of their most successful releases globally.