Twenty-three years ago, UK popstar Sophie Ellis-Bextor released the song Murder On The Dancefloor, setting off a chain of events that would eventually result in Sydney guitar pop duo Royel Otis receiving eight ARIA Nominations in 2024. Slightly confused? Let’s unpack.
Excuse me, is it 2001?
No. Why?
Royel Maddell (L) and Otis Pavlovic (R) of the Group Royel Otis performs at Ypsigrock Festival 2024 on August 9, 2024Credit: Corbis via Getty Images
Well, you mentioned Sophie Ellis-Bextor, so I could only assume.
Actually, I mentioned her in the context of Royel Otis, the Australian band currently conquering the world (and the ARIA Awards).
Royel who?
Royel Otis. You know, the band who swept the ARIA nominations this week, leading the field with eight nods, including album of the year, best group and song of the year.
Are they real royals or fake ones, like the Prince of Liechtenstein or whatever?
You’re an idiot. Anyway, it’s a massive deal for the Sydney two-piece and caps off a remarkable year for Royel Otis.
OK, I’m invested. Give me the Royel Otis run down.
Great. Last year, the band had a semi-breakthrough with their third EP, Sofa Kings, which earned them an ARIA nomination as Breakthrough Artist. But the buzz really started to build when they recorded their first-ever Like A Version for Triple J in January this year.
Let me guess, they covered Murder on the Dancefloor by Sophie Ellis-Bextor.
You’re keeping up! Correct. Their cover of Ellis-Bextor’s 2001 pop hit exploded worldwide, amassing more than 6 million views on YouTube and 48 million streams on Spotify – and now, an ARIA nomination for Song of the Year.
That is quite impressive. What else you got?
Hmm. The band has also been touring worldwide and even managed to crack the Billboard Hot 100 Charts in America.
No way! What was the song?
A cover of Linger by The Cranberries.
Right. Do these guys have any of their own songs?
Absolutely. They released their debut studio album, Pratts & Pain, this year and it debuted at number 10 on the ARIA Albums Chart.
OK, so this year’s ARIAS will be a Royel watch. Is anyone else fun in the mix?
Yes. House music producer Dom Dolla managed an impressive six nominations, Melbourne singer-songwriter Angie McMahon scored five nominations, including album of the year for her 2023 release Light, Dark, Light Again, plus, fresh from sharing the stage with Charli XCX, Troye Sivan is back with another four nominations (Best Solo Artist, Album of the Year, Best Pop Release, Song of the Year).
Meanwhile, it should be a big night for a relative newcomer who goes by the name of … Kylie Minogue.
Padam Padam! The Princess returns.
Exactly. After winning a Grammy for Padam Padam, off the album Tension, Minogue has nabbed five nominations, including Album of the year, song of the year and Best Solo Artist.
Can you get me tickets to her tour next year?
What? No.
Never hurts to ask. Sweet, this ARIAs is shaping up nicely, and it’s on November 20 right?
For someone who didn’t know much about the ARIAs you seem pretty on the ball.
Kylie Minogue, nominated for ARIA Album Of The Year, might just attend the award ceremony for the first time since she was inducted into the ARIA Hall Of Fame in 2011.Credit: AP
I googled it.
Naturally, but yes, the ceremony will be streamed live on Stan and broadcast later on Channel Nine (owner of this masthead) on November 20. And guess what?
Sophie Ellis-Bextor will be a surprise guest and jump out of a cake to award Royel Otis all their ARIAs!?
No. I mean, maybe? That’s actually not a bad idea. But I was going to say that on the night, Missy Higgins will be inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame, two decades after the release of her debut album The Sound of White.
Missy! We love her. HE LEFT A CARD, A BAR OF SOAP! Man, Scar, what a track.
Indeed.
Find more of the author’s work here. Email him at thomas.mitchell@smh.com.au or follow him on Instagram at @thomasalexandermitchell and on Twitter @_thmitchell.
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