Of Fried Rice & Spilt Milk with Royel Otis

We catch up with one of the most exciting indie duos in the country ahead of playing Spilt Milk festival and releasing their highly anticipated debut album next year

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Image credit: Georges Antoni

After being nominated for Breakthrough Artist at the 2023 ARIAs, selling out a national tour, playing Splendour In The Grass for the first time as well as a sold out UK/European tour, Aussie indie rockers on the rise Royel Otis’ long awaited debut album is set for a February 2024 release, but the pair aren’t quite done with the year just yet.

Composed of Royel Maddell and Otis Pavlovic, the pair released their latest single Fried Rice back in October, giving us the second taste of their forthcoming PRATTS & PAIN LP. A swirling, psychedelic cut of melodic, driving and addictive indie rock, the band explain Fried Rice is about “Being into someone at the wrong party. They want everyone there but you, so you turn on the charm you think you found at the bottom of a bottle. You succeed in your head but that’s just not the case on reflection. Moral of the story is make sure you know the type of party you’re getting yourself into. Keep your eyes wide shut.”

With 2023 rapidly drawing to a close, punters will have a chance to catch Royel Otis live at Spilt Milk festival across four cities and two weekends in late November and early December. Royel Otis join a huge bill featuring the likes of Post Malone, Dom Dolla, Aitch, Lime Cordiale, Partiboi69, Ruel, The Buoys and heaps more.

With all this going on, we checked in with Royel Otis:

Congrats on your latest single Fried Rice - what’s the story with this one?

The story behind Fried Rice is just us having fun in the studio. We let whatever stream of consciousness onto it.

How’s it feeling a few weeks post-release?

It’s feeling great post release. There is always a sort lull because prior to the release which is a chaotic race to get everything together.

Like a lot of people, we’re super excited for your debut album PRATTS & PAIN next February - how long has this one been in the works?

We recorded PRATTS & PAIN in March earlier this year and had most of the songs written not long before that. Since then it’s just been sliding through the ether waiting to come out.

What can you tell us about it?

It’s full of dirty secrets, rancid recipes, Easter eggs and cold nights.

Have you been able to road test the new album cuts live at all?

We have road tested a couple in the recent live sets. They’ve gone down a treat and helped build energy and tension on stage. Everyone is too nice to us.

You guys are playing Spilt Milk very soon - what are you most looking forward to about playing the festival?

Spilt Milk is going to be a hoot! We love the different responses with festival crowds. It’s also fun messing with the other bands.

Do you approach a festival slot differently from your own shows?

A festival slot is far more hectic than our own shows especially with quick changeovers on stage. We like to keep the energy hard and reckless till we almost spew.

Who are you most looking forward to catching at the festival?

Definitely looking forward to catching Post Malone, Aitch and Tkay Maidza. Would love to add them to our Pokédex.

What have you guys been listening to lately?

Lately, we’ve been listening to the usuals that I (Royel) can never let go like King Krule, Death Grips and just started with Bar Italia. And I (Otis) have been listening to The Vines, The Sleepy Jacksons and The Beatles.

Spilt Milk