Australia’s Royel Otis Are Bringing Your Favorite Early-2000s Indie Rock Back With Debut Album, 'PRATTS & PAIN'
Photo by Georges Antoni
[UNPUBLISHED:] How does it feel to be releasing a debut album?
[ROYEL OTIS:] These things take so much time to finally get released so it was a huge feeling of relief and we are psyched by the response it has been receiving.
[UNPUBLISHED:] What has been the most exciting part of the album creation process?
[ROYEL OTIS:] The most exciting part was getting to work with Dan Carey (Wet Leg). We are both huge fans of him and his work. It was intimidating but massively exciting.
[UNPUBLISHED:] Can you tell me about the inspiration behind the name?
[ROYEL OTIS:] PRATTS & PAIN was inspired by the pub next door to the studio in which we would go for inspiration, pints, shots and to write lyrics. It was actually called Pratts & Payne so we changed it to make a little more sense.
[UNPUBLISHED:] Do you have a favorite song from the album?
[ROYEL OTIS:] My favourite song on the album would probably be “Glory to Glory.” It was a really spontaneous song that we wrote pretty quickly. Dan played bass on it and wrote an incredible line. All our parts seemed to intertwine really naturally. Listening back, I find it satisfying.
[UNPUBLISHED:] What has been your fondest memory from the album creation process?
[ROYEL OTIS:] The fondest memory would probably be going to the little Vietnamese restaurant down the road everyday with our brains all turned to mash and slurping down some Pho. Cosy little place it was… probably still is
[UNPUBLISHED:] How do you think your sound has evolved from when you first started making music?
[ROYEL OTIS:] Our sound may have evolved in a way in which we don’t take it all too seriously. We’ve leaned more into having fun and trying not to add too many layers. Give it a KISS (keep it simple silly)
[UNPUBLISHED:] You're going on tour soon which is so exciting, do you have any places you're most excited to play?
[ROYEL OTIS:] Really excited to play Primavera Sound. It sounds like a load of fun and we haven’t been to those areas yet.
[UNPUBLISHED:] How do you hope your fans received this album?
[ROYEL OTIS:] I hope the fans got a real kick out of the lyrics and are moved by the sound whether that be in a way evoking joy or nostalgia. Or even just received it in the mail.
[UNPUBLISHED:] You recently covered "Murder on the Dance Floor" - which has received a lot of positive feedback on the internet, what inspired you to cover this song? Have you been surprised about the feedback you've received from fans?
[ROYEL OTIS:] Baz dancing in his birthday suit after jousting some earthworms was pretty inspirational. That and the fact that it’s just an incredible song. I think our somewhat simplified version is a testament to how amazing the songwriting behind it is.
