Bio
Clay Black
Indie Rock/Pop project led by London-based singer-songwriter
Raised in London, but with roots in the US, Clay Black -- the project name singer-songwriter Michael Ogden records under, with producer Tim Thornton -- combines the storytelling traditions of Americana with the melodic flair of classic pop and indie rock, creating a distinctive transatlantic sound; rich with harmonies, infectious riffs and epic choruses.
With nods to influences like Beck, Wilco, REM, Pulp and Pavement, Clay Black's indie rock-folk-pop mix has a quirky, distinctive energy all of its own.
Ten original songs are mixed and mastered, ready for release in 2025. Ten new songs have just completed their demo stage and will be released in 2026.
Produced by Tim Thornton and Greg Sinden, with support from vocalist Mary Leay, new Clay Black songs will be released every six weeks in 2025 and 2026. The first official release, 'Do You Know' will be out in July 2025.
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Influences
Music and film
Listening to The Beatles one summer at my cousin's house opened a door to worlds way beyond my own. Not just to music, but to style, innovation, humour and storytelling.
Through them, I would come to discover other inspirational artists like David Bowie, Talking Heads, REM, The Pretenders, Bob Dylan, Violent Femmes, Wilco, Beck, Tom Waits, Brian Wilson, The Replacements, Paul Simon and Pavement and so many more.
Each of these artists conjures up a world for me. Equally influential are filmmakers, like Jim Jarmusch, the Coen Brothers, David Lynch, Wim Wenders, Spike Lee, Jonathan Demme, Robert Altman and others.
These artists set a high bar. I remind myself it's in the doing, not the comparing, and to enjoy the creative process -- the presence to be alert to new ideas, the joy of capturing new sounds and the connections with other people that can happen when you share the results. Thanks for listening.