The indefatigable Royel Otis are continuing their rapid ascent into the firmament with their new single ‘Heading For The Door’ and news of a massive Australian, US and EU tour. All this will be bolstered by their forthcoming album ‘Pratts & Pain’, being released through OURNESS on 16 February 2024
We here at the antipodean outpost of Backseat Mafia have followed this dynamic duo of Otis Pavlovic and Royel Maddell ever since hearing their single ‘Oysters In My Pocket’ early last year, which has been followed by a series of indelible singles.
‘Heading For The Door’ continues their mastery of whimsy, creating an unique sound that seems to mix the cheekiness of Supergrass with the melodies of MGMT and the antipodean sunshine of Empire of the Sun. There is a delicacy and subtlety in the sound, infused with a hint of melancholy and filtered sunshine. The band says of the single:
Some of us understand that peace is precious but when the chaos starts to overcome just sit and accept it. Stop heading for the door.
The single is an atmospheric one-shot visualiser directed by Ady Neshoda. The video follows the band along a highway median strip, balancing imagery of the calm and chaos explored in the track.
‘Heading For The Door’ is out today and available to download and stream here.
The debut album is out on 9 February 2024 and can be pre-saved here.
Royel Otis have also announced a comprehensive Australian and US tour with an appearance at Europe’s prestigious Primavera Sound Festival. More details can be found here.
Australian Tour dates:
February 16 – Liberty Hall, Sydney, NSW
February 17 – Torquay Hotel, Torquay, VIC
February 18 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne, VIC
February 23 – Kambri at ANU, Canberra, ACT
February 24 – UOW Uni Bar, Wollongong, NSW
March 1 – Lion Arts Factory, Adelaide, SA
March 2 – Freo Social, Fremantle, WA
March 7 – The Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour, NSW
March 8 – The Tivoli, Brisbane, QLD
March 9 – Miami Marketta, Gold Coast, QLD
March 10 – Solbar, Maroochydore, QLD
March 14 – King Street Bandroom, Newcastle, NSW
US tour dates:
*with Girl and Girl
April 23 – Amsterdam Bar & Hall, Saint Paul, MN*
April 24 – Lincoln Hall, Chicago, IL*
April 26 – Longboat Hall, Toronto, ON*
April 27 – A&R Music Bar, Columbus, OH*
April 28 – Grog Shop, Cleveland Heights, OH*
May 1 – Racket, New York, NY*
May 2, 2024 – Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA*
May 3 – DC9, Washington, DC*
May 4, 2024 – Cat’s Cradle, Carrboro, NC*
DATE TBD – Venue TBA, Boston, MA
May 8 – Parish, Austin, TX
May 9 – Rubber Gloves, Denton, TX*
DATE TBD, Venue TBA, Atlanta, GA
May 11 – Meow Wolf Denver ,Denver, CO*
May 15 – The Rebel Lounge, Phoenix, AZ*
May 18 – Rickshaw Stop, San Francisco, CA*
May 20 – Mississippi Studios, Portland, OR*
May 21 – Fox Cabaret, Vancouver, BC*
May 22 – Tractor Tavern, Seattle, WA*
EU Tour dates:
May 29 – June 2 – Primavera Sound, Barcelona, Sant Adrià de Besòs
Feature Photograph: Alex Wall
