A song recorded for triple j’s Like A Version has scored a nomination for 2024 ARIA Award for Song of the Year. Royel Otis’s cover of Murder On The Dancefloor marks the first time a triple j Like A Version song has been in contention and is a nice way to celebrate two decades since the segment first started on Mel Bampton‘s Mel in the Morning show.
Sydney indie-rock duo Royel Otis (main picture) recorded 2002 disco pop flavoured Murder On The Dancefloor earlier this year. Their version unexpectedly went viral across triple j socials and even attracted the attention of original artist Sophie Ellis-Bextor.
The above has had 19 million combined total views across triple j’s TikTok, Instagram and YouTube and reached No 2 on ARIA’s Top 20 Australian Singles.
Royel Otis went on tour, presented by triple j, which sold out, as did the US album tour.
Royel Otis said of the experience:
“We changed our song choice to ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’ the night before Like A Version, and are now performing it live on stages all around the world. It’s been wild to watch this cover grow – and also a heap of fun. Thanks to the triple j team for all their support and especially allowing our last-minute switch up!”
Head of triple j, Double J and ABC Country Lachlan Macara said:
“triple j is dedicated to forging meaningful connections with Australian artists, amplifying their creativity and connecting them with audiences, ensuring their music and stories resonate at home and globally for all to experience.
For this news to come through the same week we clocked over 1 billion total views on our YouTube channel says more than I could about triple j’s continuing and evolving impact on more platforms than ever.”
You can vote for ARIA Award Song of the Year here: https://www.aria.com.au/vote
Voting closes Wednesday November 13.