B-Side Guys

Nashville’s indie scene breeds a particular kind of honesty. CLAYTON’s debut EP “SHITTY,” releasing December 5, 2024, captures this spirit with unflinching clarity, turning seventeen minutes of self-funded, self-produced music into a mirror for modern life’s beautiful disasters.

“Doormat” opens the collection with immediate impact, establishing CLAYTON’s gift for transforming personal experience into universal truth. The production maintains raw energy while demonstrating surprising polish for an independent release. It’s the sound of someone who knows exactly what they want their music to be.

“Cards” follows, showcasing CLAYTON’s ability to craft melodies that stick in your head while the lyrics punch you in the gut. The track has already become a live favorite in Nashville’s club circuit, where CLAYTON has been building a devoted following through electric performances that turn strangers into believers.

“Sitcom” emerges as one of the EP’s standout moments, using dark humor to illuminate life’s absurdities. Here, CLAYTON’s indie rock foundations support lyrics that would make Larry David proud, creating something both deeply funny and surprisingly moving.

The narrative complexity of “Who’s Mary?” demonstrates CLAYTON’s gift for character-driven songwriting. What could have been a simple story song becomes something more nuanced in his hands, balancing humor and heart while never losing its rock edge.

“Nice Guy (demo)” provides a window into CLAYTON’s creative process. The decision to include a demo version on a debut EP might seem risky, but the track’s raw intimacy serves the larger project perfectly. It’s a reminder that sometimes the rough drafts carry their own kind of truth.

The collection closes with its title track, “Shitty Song,” a self-aware anthem that transforms self-deprecation into celebration. It’s the kind of song that could only come from someone who’s spent enough time in Nashville to know both its dreams and its realities.

What sets “SHITTY” apart is its refusal to polish away its rough edges. While many debuts try to present a perfect facade, CLAYTON embraces imperfection as a virtue. The production throughout maintains this balance, professional enough to serve the songs while preserving their essential energy.

The DIY spirit infusing every track speaks to CLAYTON’s dedication to artistic independence. Rather than waiting for industry validation, he’s created something entirely on his own terms. The result feels both more personal and more universal for this choice.

For those experiencing their own “shitty” moments (which is to say, everyone), this EP offers six anthems of recognition and resilience. CLAYTON’s growing live following suggests these songs take on even greater power in person, where shared experience transforms individual struggles into communal celebration.

At just under eighteen minutes, “SHITTY” leaves listeners wanting more – which is exactly what you want from a debut EP. Each track earns its place while contributing to a larger statement about finding beauty in life’s messier moments.

As buzz continues to build around CLAYTON’s live performances in Nashville and beyond, “SHITTY” arrives as both validation and introduction. It’s proof that sometimes the most authentic path forward is through the mess rather than around it.

For fans of indie rock that values honesty over artifice, “SHITTY” is essential listening. It’s a reminder that in an era of overproduced perfection, sometimes the most powerful thing an artist can do is tell the truth about life’s imperfections.