ABOUT clay black
Camden Town Meets laurel canyon
Clay Black is the indie rock project of London-based singer-songwriter Michael Ogden, whose debut single "Do You Know" launches July 18, 2025. After years as a creative director working with Sony PlayStation, Pixar, and BBC, Ogden has quietly built a catalogue of 20 songs now ready for release. Blending Brit-pop melodies with Americana storytelling, Clay Black creates a transatlantic sound that sits somewhere between Blur and Wilco, REM and Pulp—intimate verses that explode into expansive, sing-along choruses.
the songwriter
Michael Ogden has spent years crafting experiences for PlayStation, Pixar, BBC, and Time-Warner. But throughout his successful career as a creative director, he was quietly building something else: a catalogue of songs that would become Clay Black.
His approach to songwriting reflects his passion for creating formats that spark self-reflection. Just as his globally published book "2DO Before I Die" (Time-Warner, 9 languages) and his ambitious long-term thinking project 2269 (2269.co) help others figure out what matters to them, Clay Black's music explores universal themes of time, choice, and transformation.
With 20 original songs recorded and an 18-month release strategy in place, Clay Black represents Michael's most personal creative expression yet. Infectious, catchy indie rock that explores universal questions: How do we spend our time? What choices define us? How do we make the most of the time we have?
the group
Clay Black's debut single "Do You Know," released July 18, 2025, was produced by Tim Thornton (of the band Fink) and features backing vocals from Mary Leay.
The track introduces a sound that marries Brit-pop melodies with Americana storytelling
latest press release
Clay Black Unveils Debut Single "Do You Know" - A Transatlantic Indie Anthem About Second Chances
London-based project from award-winning creative director marks artistic pivot
London, July 18, 2025 – Clay Black, the indie rock project of London-based singer-songwriter Michael Ogden, today releases "Do You Know," a stirring debut single that captures the decisive moment one chooses to turn the page and start again. The track, produced by Tim Thornton (of ‘Fink’) and featuring backing vocals from Mary Leay, launches an ambitious campaign that will see 20 original songs released over the next 18 months.
Written as a reminder to stay engaged and take risks in life, "Do You Know" emerged from Ogden's years of quietly building a song catalogue while working as a creative director on groundbreaking projects with Sony PlayStation, Pixar, and BBC. The deeply personal track asks the fundamental question: "What do you need to know, when it’s time to go?"
The song's exploration of time and choice connects directly to Ogden's broader artistic vision—his previous work includes the globally published book "2DO Before I Die" (Time Warner, published in 9 languages) and the long-term thinking experiment Project 2269, both designed to spark meaningful self-reflection about what truly matters in life.
Musically, "Do You Know" showcases Clay Black's distinctive transatlantic sound—blending Brit-pop melodies with Americana storytelling. The production creates intimate verses before exploding into expansive choruses that call to mind Blur, REM, Pavement and Arcade Fire, while maintaining the lyrical word-play of Wilco, Father John Misty and Talking Heads.
"Do You Know" is available now on all major streaming platforms.
additional information
GENRE: Indie Rock / Indie Pop / Alternative
LOCATION: London, UK
SOCIAL: @clayblackmusic
INFLUENCES: REM, Blur, Talking Heads, Wilco, Father John Misty, Lou Reed & The Velvet Underground, Beach Boys, Arcade Fire
PRODUCER: Tim Thornton
Press photos
Upcoming single: 'Do You know'
Acoustic demo - the Full, Electric version is out in Fall 2025
