Bluegrass duo Friedlander and Hall’s show tonight at Cousin Andy’s CoffeeHouse might not contain the volume of a typical live show, but that goes along with the duo’s devotion to its style of music.

The most common thread with our music is acoustics, said Jeff Friedlander, half of the guitar-playing duo. We just don’t play loud, and we don’t need a drummer or an electric guitar to perform.

The Chicago-based duo has performed together nearly 26 years. Friedlander opened for Grammy nominee and past award winner Shawn Colvin.

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We do some hybrid alternative country, Friedlander said. And the folk music we play blends in with bluegrass.

Friedlander said the duo feels that college students are the most energetic and exhilarating to perform for from their experience of playing in college towns across Wisconsin and Indiana.

The money is good in a college town, and, if I had to decipher which crowd I enjoy playing for the most, I would definitely say college students, he said. They always have good energy.

Friedlander said his style of music was not always accepted by the college-aged crowd.

In the early ’80s, there was no room for the music I played. When the Sex Pistols came out, there was no room for my kind of music anymore, he said. But now I believe college students have much more diversity in their taste and choices, which was definitely not present before.

Cousin Andy’s CoffeeHouse in the basement of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 402 W. Mill St., is a not-for-profit, alcohol-free, smoke-free establishment that features acoustic music almost every Friday.

Cousin Andy’s Coordinator Vern Crawford said the coffee house adjusts the admission prices for SIUC students community members with tight budgets.

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We realize that college students and people in parts of our community have difficulties with finances, he said.

Crawford said everyone is invited to Cousin Andy’s to broaden their musical interests and enjoy the available coffee and desserts.

We’ve got everything from grandparents to college kids attending our shows, Crawford said. There is room for everyone.

Lou Hendriz and Cathie Hutchisen of Banjovi will begin mellowing out the crowd around 7:30 p.m.

Factoid:Admission is $5 for the general public and $3 for SIUC students and low-income individuals. For further information, call 529-3533.