‘Sometimes it can get tiring’: how Royel Otis became indie’s next big thing

‘It’s pretty, pretty surreal’: Royel Otis on their meteoric rise. Photograph: Josefine Stenersen/The Guardian

This time last year the Sydney indie band Royel Otis was up for breakthrough artist at the Arias. They didn’t take the gong home but this year they just might: the duo leads the pack with eight nominations including album of the year, song of the year and best group.

“It’s just so mind-blowing,” says Royel Maddell, the guitarist. “I was dizzy after hearing it.”