CEDAR FALLS -- OneRepublic gained worldwide rock-star status last year with "Apologize."

More than 7 million singles of the Timbaland remix were sold around the globe, and the song scored more than 4.3 million digital downloads in the U.S.

"Stop and Stare," the band's next single off "Dreaming Out Loud," also performed well, notching 2 million in sales.

But life can be tough at the top, especially for a band that's vowed to be more than just a flash in the pan.

"The first two songs, 'Stop and Stare' and 'Apologize,' were so big that it was sort of tough to get the rest of the album out there," said Brent Kutzle, who plays cello and bass with the band. "We wanted people to hear those other songs."

So even while the five-man band tours Europe, the gang is hard at work, writing new material and recording into the wee hours of the morning. Cedar Valley fans will get a chance to hear a mix of the group's new and old songs Monday at the McLeod Center on the University of Northern Iowa campus.

The band's latest work shows a desire to explore new musical territories, Kutzle said. OneRepublic has already completed three or four new songs for a second record, he added.

"We're going to go with a fusion of rock and the urban thing, and we've decided not to stick with any formulas," he said. "We don't feel like we need to write another 'Apologize' or 'Stop and Stare.' We have the capability to write newer, even better, songs."

At a recent London concert, the group gave fans a taste of "All the Right Moves," an unreleased song that will likely be included on the group's next album. Visitors to the band's online message board are already raving over YouTube versions of the drum-driven tune.

"We ended up playing it in London for the first time to a sold-out crowd," Kutzle said. "We had never rehearsed it actually, we just decided to play it, and it got some great reviews."

Pop rockers Augustana, The Hush Sound and The Spill Canvas will open for OneRepublic. Tickets are $25 for UNI students and $35 for the general public. The show starts at 7 p.m., with doors opening at 6 p.m.

"Since we've had the tickets on sale, we've had a lot of students that are not only excited about OneRepublic, but we've also had a lot of support for the acts that are coming with them," said Erin Wheat, adviser to Panther Productions.

The UNI student group organizes one concert each semester at the campus's McLeod Center.

"Our whole goal is to provide live music to students at an affordable cost," Wheat said. "Nothing beats being able to walk across the street and have a chance to see OneRepublic."

Contact Mary Stegmeir

at (319) 291-1482 or

mary.stegmeir@wcfcourier.com.