Childhood friends Otis Pavlovic and Royel Maddell form the iconic indie duo Royel Otis. They recently released their debut album PRATTS & PAIN which is named after a pub in South London where the two brainstormed and wrote lyrics together. The pub is just around the corner from producer Dan Carey’s home studio with whom the two worked on their debut album together in early 2023.
After forming in 2019 and slowly releasing music into the world during the pandemic, Royel Otis gained fans in BBC Radio 6 Music, triple j and on US college radio. To date, they have amassed over 10 million streams, covered global playlists on Spotify and Apple Music, and headed out on a debut headline tour of the UK and Europe.
After releasing their first music in the form of 2021 EP Campus, the duo released a further pair of EPs in 2022 – Bar & Grill and Sofa Kings. The duo also vent viral with their covers of Linger by The Cranberries and Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s Murder on the Dancefloor.
Royel Otis sits down with 1883 to chat about their debut album, life as musicians, what’s next for them and more.
Hey guys, how are you? It’s nice to meet you both.
Both: How are you doing? We’re good, thank you.
I’m in London right now. Are you here too?
Otis: No, we’re in Switzerland. We were in London yesterday!
Switzerland is beautiful! I’m a big fan of your music, it’s always cool when I get to talk to artists that I already like the music of.
Royel: Thank you so much for that. It’s nice of you to say that.
Why don’t we start by talking about how you two came together to make music?
Royel: We knew each other through mutual friends and one night in a bar, we were talking about music and then Otis showed me a demo he had, and the next day, I listened to it, then I sent him some demos I had, and then we just decided to work together from there.
Do you have anything in particular that inspires you about the other? And how do you work together?
Royel: I think just the process of writing music together when we’re doing it in the studio, it can be inspiring, sometimes we’re throwing different ideas at each other, and sometimes that is that a lot of time, ideas that we wouldn’t think of, well, I don’t think of it.
Otis: I think because his voice is completely different to mine as well. I find it inspiring to write something that fits his voice more than mine. It’s a bit more fun that way.
You went viral with your two covers Murder On the Dancefloor and Linger by The Cranberries. How did that feel for you? The cover of Murder on the Dancefloor came out at the same time as Saltburn. Was that intentional?
Royel: A bit of both. We were talking about it before the movie came out, about doing it, and then it was the night before we did it. The label was like: „You know how you were talking about doing that song, it would probably be a good idea to do that now.” And so we just quickly worked out a way of doing it. And both times we thought they were going to flop and be horrible. Each time there’s been a shock that it’s gone viral.
Otis: I think they’re both kind of last-minute decisions in a way that just worked out.
Royel: So many bands want to go viral, and we did not want that. We weren’t aiming for that. We didn’t even look at TikTok really, but it’s worked out for the better, we’ve reached audiences that we never would have before. We’rethankful. And grateful.
There are different remixes of your cover of “Linger” on TikTok, I used some of them for my videos actually.
Otis: Is it a slow-down version, or is it more of a remix?
It’s more like a remix. You should check it out on TikTok. I don’t know the name exactly, but there are different remixes. There’s also a slow-down version, for sure, but I know that people have been using the same sound and different variations. You said you didn’t want to be on TikTok, but how does it feel for you to be so public now?
Royel: We’re grateful that it’s reached so many new people, and we’re getting much larger crowds to come to our shows and it’s gotten people onto our other music.
Otis: It’s one of those things that this is so relevant these days, I think we would be idiots not to take advantage.
I think that’s also so difficult to stay relevant, because I’ve been talking to a lot of artists about having a viral song on Tiktok, but then it’s only a snippet, and sometimes it doesn’t stick with people. It’s only a one-time thing. You have your music already but all I hear is the covers on TikTok. But you still have your own records that you can impress people with.
Otis: That’s the point of it, that we do the covers. And we have our own music too.
I’ve read that you channel David Lynch on your latest track, Neck Nostalgia. Can you tell me a little bit about the track and the story behind it?
Royel: That was a guitar riff I had from a while ago. And I thought the David Lynch series Twin Peaks, the soundtrack is cool, and I was just trying to channel that sound. I think the composer’s name is Angelo Battle Amenti. He gets a cool bass sound and guitar sound. I was just trying to replicate that sound and then we built it into more of a song together in the studio.
Do you have a favourite lyrics from the song?
Royel: The lyrics we had originally for it, which were a bit cheekier, were my favourite, they were funny.
Otis: We changed it. But we’re not going to say it. [Laughs.]
You’re one of the lucky ones who made it on the Bose x NME C24 mixtape alongside Teddy Swims and many more. How did that feel for you?
Otis: It was cool and such an honour. We saw Artemis there. We met him the other day.
Royel: Yeah, lovely dude.
Otis: We got some free headphones as well.
You released your latest album, PRATTS & PAIN in May. What’s the story behind it? And do you have a favourite track from it?
Otis: Just naming the album, we spent a lot of time in a pub down the road from where we were recording, and we spent off the studio every day. We go there, talk lyrics have some beers and hang out. So we just decided to name it something that was a big play that was relevant in recording the album.
Royel: We did it with Dan Carey, who we met. Well, we wanted to work with Dan Carey. We met him a couple of months earlier and also had a mutual friend. So he agreed to talk to us, and we met up, and we kind of just hit it off pretty quickly. He was intimidating at first to work with, he’s a pretty intimidating guy because he’s so intense and intelligent and he’s loving. And I think my favourite, just because it reminds me of recording there so much would be Glory to Glory. And I think, yeah, that was just fun.
Otis: That’s a good song. I also like Daisy Chain and also Heading for the Door and Always Always.
Royel: Daisy Chain was recorded in Byron with Chris Collins, and then sent to Dan, I think to do some other production on it.
And can you tell me a little bit about your songwriting process? When you work together, do you have a certain routine that you follow, or do you just go with the flow?
Otis: It changes. It’s always different. One of us will bring in an idea and then one of us will try to do something about it.
Royel: We kind of just each bring in different demos and then mash them together. Or choose one and just focus on doing that now and then, if we get frustrated with being stuck on a song, we’ll just try something from scratch. Something fast and energetic just to have a bit of fun.
Otis: Like “Daisy Chain”. That’s exactly what happened with “Daisy Chain.”
Do you have one favourite song that you’ve ever written?
Otis: I’d say “Egg Beater”, actually, the whole “Bar & Grill” album.
Royel: it just felt like we just became a lot looser and more natural and organic with songwriting, and decided to Have fun with it, rather than take it way too seriously, like we sort of were before. We had a lot of pressure on us at that time, so we just thought, fuck it. Let’s just have fun.
That’s the most important thing. I think also, if you’re having fun while writing and creating, then that ultimately reflects on the audience as well.
Royel: It translates for sure.
One of my favourite songs is “I Want to Dance with You“,“Going Kokomo“ and “Kool-Aid“. Who is your musical inspiration?
Royel: It always changes at the moment. Neil Young, for me. Neil Young, Frank Ocean, Fontaines D.C, I love listening to them at the moment.
Otis: I have been listening to Bob Dylan a little bit and Coldplay’s A Rush of Blood To The Head.
Royel: I was listening to that yesterday. Sinead O’Connor. I’ve been blasting Sinead O’Connor.
Otis: There is a song by Ween called “Sarah,” which I was listening to a little bit earlier, it’s just really simple.
And if there’s anyone at the top of your head you’d love to work with, who would it be?
Royel: Frank Ocean would be sick. It would be amazing to have Sinead O’Connor sing on a song.
How would you say you have grown as an artist, from your first record, Sofa Kings, to your latest release? What has changed?
Royel: We lost the relationships we were in before.
Otis: We lost our personal life. [Laughs] I think I’ve got better at just showing up.
Royel: And also, I think just being a bit more carefree, like I was saying before, not taking anything too seriously, and just think of all the positiveness, and hopefully we’re this busy, so we don’t have to be that busy. Everyone thinks, and it’s especially before starting this tour and the tour last year, I had no idea how much work went into being a musician. I was trying to be a musician, so I didn’t have to work much. But it turns out that you’re working 24/7. People think you just turn up to the show, play the show, and that’s the work. That’s not even close.
I always talk to musicians, about what it’s like to go on tour because that’s also going to be my next question, but I can only imagine how difficult it is to sleep on a tour bus and, you know, like all the rehearsal, but I think it always pays off. Because, you know, obviously, like, your hard work is always going to pay off, and it already does, which is amazing, so you can be proud of yourself, I think, yeah. What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten as an artist, like in your musical career, who gave you the best advice?
Otis: Never turn your back on your enemies.
Royel: Go to bed when you’re drunk.
Royel: Just stick to it. Stick to it no matter what. Just keep going.
Otis: You can’t overthink things too much. Ideas and releasing songs and singing.
Royel: Yeah, if it’s not flowing, don’t force the flow.
Otis: Also keep writing songs.
What advice you would give aspiring musicians?
Royel: I’d say keep listening to music, expand your taste, be open, and don’t try to follow trends that’s one. Don’t fucking follow trends, they’re a trend, because someone’s doing it. After all, it was new that they started doing it. As soon as everyone starts doing it, it’s not new, it’s not exciting, so just do something else, or just stick with what you were originally doing. Stay and keep doing that, and then everything comes back around. All things travel in circles.
Yeah, that’s a good one. I believe in karma. Everything comes back to you.
Royel: It’s nice to always be nice, even when they say shit. Kill them with kindness.
You’re hitting the road in September to go on tour. Hopefully, I can come in when you’re in London in November. That’d be cool. What do you like the most about going on tour?
Otis: The Places you get to say that we were driving from Geneva to where we’re playing today, and, like, Switzerland’scrazy. Like, so beautiful, yeah, so seeing stuff like that, that sounds crazy.
Royel: It’s a shame, like most of the time you don’t get to stop. So yeah, most of the world you see through a car window, but yeah, sometimes you just want to snooze anyway. But all the different cuisines,
Otis: All the different people you meet, yeah, different people
Royel: And all the tattoos you can get.
That’s cool, one tattoo for every city.
Royel: Yeah, that’s my idea. Every city is too much but maybe in every country.
I think that’s a cool idea. Let’s talk a little bit about fashion. I think fashion, especially for musicians, is super important when they’re going on tour. Of course it depends on how much importance you give it. What does fashion mean to you personally, and how do you express yourself through clothes?
Royel: I watched a funny interview with Liam Gallagher the other day where he was saying, you can write the best song ever, but if you look horrible basically it doesn’t matter, the song doesn’t matter. I kind of agree, to some extent.
Otis: Sometimes, I don’t care. It’s about the music.
Royel: I like to look out for clothing, something cool.
Otis: Something comfortable. There’s only a certain amount of clothes I feel comfortable in.
Royel: When we’re in the studio, I try to dress somewhat cool, just so I feel cool, like I’m gonna make something cool, but otherwise I’m just cruising.
Otis: I think about it but I don’t think about it too much.
Royel: You should never judge people by what they wear, but sometimes it is a bit cringy if they’re trying to be outrageous and then play chill music. It’s like trying to be loud for the sake of trying to stand out. That’s me being judgmental, which I shouldn’t be. Everyone should dress the way they want to dress.
I think it adds to the stage presence and I’m always excited to see what people wear on stage. What can we expect from you in the future, other than going on tour?
Otis: Music, always more music.
Royel: We’ll probably put on a lot more weight and get older faster.
Yeah, that’s unavoidable. [Laughs]
Royel: Age will excel at an alarming rate throughout the rest of this year.
Otis: A severe case of depression. [Laughs]
Royel: A roller coaster. Life will get more and more tumultuous.
What is something that you want to be remembered for? As an artist, but also as a person?
Royel: My good looks. [Laughs] And just having a good nature always.
Otis: My muscles. [Laughs] Yeah, just being good people.
Well, I hope you enjoy the rest of your day in Switzerland. Hopefully I’ll see you at the tour in London at the gig. I love your music and I’m super proud of you and excited to see what’s next for you.
PRATTS & PAIN is out now everywhere.
Interview Maja Bebber
