What happens when you put a group of talented and passionate ETSU musicians together? They form one of the coolest bands around campus: Lucille Klement.


Named in reference to the dormitory Lucille Clement, the indie pop/rock band was formed a little over a year ago by two current ETSU students, an alumnus, a former member of the Jazz Ensemble and a graduate of Belmont University. The band has been playing all over the campus community and was invited to perform at the final Fridays After 5 concert in Johnson City last month. 


Despite being named after the residence hall, none of the band members ever lived in Lucille Clement. Maggie Woodall, a senior media and communications major, lead singer and rhythm guitarist, says she had several good friends who lived in the residence hall. She spent a lot of time there, which fostered her love for the building.


“It's named Lucille Klement because I started kind of falling in love with writing music here,” said Woodall. “I wrote a lot of the album in Centennial, and I just remember all of my most memorable nights were in Lucille Clement.”


To the people who are familiar with the residence hall, Woodall describes their band name as a “fun reference.”


Lucille Klement defines itself as an indie pop/rock band with influences such as Weezer, boygenius, Julia Jacklin and other indie and alternative inspirations. Matthew Skyes, who graduated from ETSU in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in music, produces all the music for the band, and takes production inspiration from The Beatles, the Beach Boys and the era of the 1960s by using techniques such as double tracking.


“A lot of people, especially when you think like on local levels, they don't bother to try to explore sonic ideas beyond being two guitars, and the bass, and drums and keys,” said Skyes. “There're endless possibilities, and I think we did it with our first (album) and I want to continue that. Continually aim for a sound that's beyond what people think you should be able to make.”


Their debut album “How’ve You Been?” released on July 9 under Downspout Records, Skyes’ record label. An official music video for their single “I’ve Been Running” was released earlier this year.


When asked how ETSU could continue to support the band, Woodall stresses the importance of campus events and opportunities for local bands to perform. She also suggests letting local bands open for the SGA fall and spring concerts hosted every semester.


Last February, Lucille Klement played SGA’s Local Hearts Concert in the D.P. Culp Student Center, and they are hoping to play again next year.
“The university is where we first got to practice. You know, it's really where it opened everything up for me to meet other people who are interested in music ... being able to practice here really started the band,” shared Woodall.


Outside the university, the band hopes to play at TriPride in October and expand its reach outside the Tri-Cities to other areas like Chattanooga and Asheville, North Carolina.  Another album is on the horizon, along with more music videos and a tour in the near future. Their next show is on Sept. 28 at the HideAway in downtown Johnson City. For more information, check out Lucille Klement’s Instagram.


“The more people support the local scene and local artists, the better each and every one of us will do. Come out to shows, come see stuff downtown. Don’t be afraid to get off campus,” said Skyes.


East Tennessee State University was founded in 1911 with a singular mission: to improve the quality of life for people in the region and beyond. Through its world-class health sciences programs and interprofessional approach to health care education, ETSU is a highly respected leader in rural health research and practices. The university also boasts nationally ranked programs in the arts, technology, computing, and media studies. ETSU serves approximately 14,000 students each year and is ranked among the top 10 percent of colleges in the nation for students graduating with the least amount of debt.

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