Coldplay is not playing Starr Hill tonight at 8 p.m. But Blue Merle is.
Tonight and every Wednesday night through Feb. 2, students with a University ID can see Blue Merle for free as the group promotes its debut album, "Burning in the Sun," dropping Feb 15.
Formed in Nashville, Tenn., Blue Merle has developed its musical style over the past three years by opening for groups such as Badly Drawn Boy and Jem and touring with Bonnaroo and Farm Aid.
"A lot of people can't place our sound, so we've starting saying we do 'acoustic rock,' which isn't very descriptive," acoustic and electric mandolinist Beau Stapleton said. "But I kind of like it that way."
Lead singer Lucas Reynolds' vocals are often singled out for their clarity and Jeff Buckley-esque range, and Stapleton's alternately sinewy and spirited mandolin is analogous to the versatile violin of Dave Matthews Band's Boyd Tinsley. But when Reynolds and Stapleton pair with classically-trained string bassist Jason Oettel and drummer William Ellis, the resulting music is a dead-ringer for Chris Martin and friends.
Blue Merle's focus is on ensemble play, not the riffing, singular narrative prevalent in pop music today.
"You see a lot of bands that rely on virtuosity or solos, but we don't go like that," Stapleton said. "We transmit the vocal and make sure the melody is supported in the best way possible. We don't jam; we arrange."
This collaborative music results in a more cohesive sound, a sound the music industry is starting to notice. Blue Merle's first single, "Burning in the Sun," is this week's Single of the Week, a free download on iTunes.com.
Coran Capshaw's Red Light Management manages Blue Merle, Dave Matthews Band and other groups, so Charlottesville is familiar territory for Blue Merle. The group has played at Starr Hill twice before and recorded the "Burning in the Sun" album at the new Crystalphonics Studio on Grady Avenue.
So, if the first day of classes has you tuckered out, and you want to start your semester with a solid show, head to Starr Hill tonight at 8 p.m. -- you'll catch a band on the rise and the price can't be beat.
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