Looking to make their mark within the Athens music scene, six Ohio University students formed the Montclaire band to share their passion for playing.
Montclaire was started by Garrett Smith, a junior studying environmental science and sustainability, and Caden Finley, a junior studying music production and recording industry.
Smith and Finley met during Bobcat Student Orientation, bonding over their matching MF Doom rings, the late British hip-hop rapper. The two have been making music since they met their freshman year and have been jamming with their current members since March 2025, adding Finley McNamee this semester and establishing their six-piece band in Athens.
The group is now complete with Finley McNamee, a junior studying environmental biology; Alex Lawrence, a junior studying social studies education; Jesse Tholen, a junior studying environmental science and sustainability studies; and Felix Tanner, a junior studying biology pre-professional.
Montclaire’s sound can be characterized as alternative rock, but also a mix of other genres, including bluegrass and grunge punk, blending to create a sound inspired by each member’s influence.
Montclaire’s members have their own unique styles and preferences, and McNamee shares how their sound comes together through six varying music tastes.
“I think it surprises us how much it comes together,” McNamee said. “We all have different tastes, and even when we’re trying to pick songs to play, it’s some of the most random songs ever … but when we sit down to play, we know how to communicate and add those things together to sound uniform.”
When it comes to creating and performing their pieces, each member’s role may change. Every member knows how to play guitar, and Lawrence said it’s ideal for each member to be able to play every instrument.
“I play guitar, and there's an instrument called pedal steel,” Lawrence said. “It's a newer instrument, but I think it defines some of our sound.”
For Montclaire, adaptability is especially important. Adaptability not only helps the band accommodate each member’s schedules, but also helps make the balance between school and music successful. McNamee said they often send voice memos or ideas through text messages to prepare for when they meet.
“We all just love music, and we make sacrifices for it and for each other,” McNamee said. “Getting the six of us in one room is sometimes very, very difficult, but the good thing about it is we’re all pretty good friends.”
Montclaire’s members are all third-year students, looking to balance classes and work with creating a successful band. Despite these challenges, Montclaire continues to make time for each other and take advantage of performance opportunities in the area.
“Obviously, we’re all very determined to make Montclaire a thing that happens, but every weekend for six people, that’s pretty rough,” Lawrence said.
Tanner, who is preparing for medical school, said his schedule is busy, but finding a rhythm in a routine helps him balance coursework and practice with Montclaire.
“I’m either studying and at practice; you grind during the week and make sure you have the weekends to have fun, play a show, work on some new music,” Tanner said. “I think it’s all about finding that time where you need to get stuff done and always doing it.”
With the fall season and Halloween coming up, Montclaire is looking to play as many shows as possible. The goal is to gain some following for the band and share original music with the community.
The band is planning to create music throughout the upcoming winter. McNamee shares that each member has ideas for future songs and hopes Montclaire will eventually release a full album.
Athens provides a strong community for local bands to thrive. Being surrounded by many performers, other bands can be inspired and supported by fellow musicians. Lawrence said they played with Blithe during its first show recently and performed with a more established band the following day.
“They were super helpful and very kind to us because we’re obviously a newer band,” Lawrence said. “It’s also cool seeing someone like Blithe play their first show, and they were really good.”
The local scene also provides opportunities for bands like Montclaire to perform, connect with other artists and further explore their sound.
Tanner said Athens has an “accessible” music scene, and anyone can get together to start a band. Smith shares what it means to be immersed in Athens’ music scene.
“It’s awesome,” Smith said. “I love being in an environment that fosters creativity and fosters that sense of community that house shows bring.”
As the members of Montclaire continue to build their sound and balance their academic lives as musicians, Athens gives them a place to perform and create music.
Montclaire’s next show will be Sept. 12 at 19 Kurtz St. All their official updates can be found on Montclaire’s Instagram.
