An electronic dance-rock duo assembled in Cape Town, now accelerating from a new home base in London, Roi Turbo roars down many creative roads at once. On their second EP, Bazooka, South African brothers Benjamin and Conor McCarthy celebrate the permanence of rhythmic pasts, the contrasts of analog and digital futures, and a familial bond that marries their shared idea of sonic ecstasy to a populist streak of giving listeners what they want. Picking up where other great beat-driven siblings like Soulwax’s David and Stephen Dewaele left off, the McCarthys rock the block and blur distinctions. In the process, Roi Turbo crafts a disco-funk-house sound that skips between soundsystem eras of multiple continents, winding up with a contemporary edge all its own.
In some ways, Conor (32, the one who plays a lot of the instruments) and Benjamin (28, the one who does a lot of the production) have been moving toward this moment their whole lives. Growing up in Cape Town with music-loving parents, they abandoned drum lessons for self-taught strategies (Conor played along to Bloc Party records, Ben learned via YouTube). Instead of separate bedrooms, they shared one, turning the spare room into a makeshift studio filled with secondhand instruments and DAWs. The brothers debated the pros and cons of band-driven sounds (Conor) versus electronic production (Ben), unknowingly laying the foundation for their future.
Their musical curiosity led them to the psychedelic modulations of William Onyeabor, the ‘80s South African bubblegum and Nigerian disco scenes, and the danceable rock of Paul Epworth. Lockdown gave them the freedom to refine their sound, balancing contrasts in rhythm, instrumentation, and production. They eventually landed on a name: Conor said “Turbo,” Ben added a misspelled “Roi” for a Francophilic royalty touch.
Roi Turbo’s debut EP, Volcano Cigarette Shop (2023), was an experiment in dynamics—overloaded with percussion, perky synths, and propulsive bass, but undercut by classic Tele and Rhodes melodies influenced by African dance music. Hook-filled and dancefloor-ready, it marked the first time they felt truly confident in their work.
In 2023, the brothers relocated to London, where new creative limitations reshaped their approach. Working with fewer instruments and wary of noise-sensitive neighbors, they embraced a more streamlined process, leading to Bazooka. The EP showcases a tight yet expansive sound: “Dystopia” and “Hot Like Fire” (their first vocal track) channel a dance-pop energy; “Super Hands” layers guitars, synths, and percussion into a hypnotic disco groove; “Bazooka” draws from Compass Point productions and Larry Levan; and “Bobo Spirit” injects acid-house piano chords into a Balearic sunset soundscape.
At its core, Bazooka reflects the lifelong bond between Benjamin and Conor McCarthy—their shared influences, differing perspectives, and unified vision. “We’ve gotten closer to whatever it is we’re trying to achieve,” says Benjamin. With the tank full and the roads open, Roi Turbo is just getting started.