32 Below

"For Montgomery Gentry, music has been a part of our lives ever since we can remember.
Growing up in the Honky Tonks of Kentucky and making a living performing live music is how
we "cut our teeth". We've seen everything from "Good", to "Better", to "Keep your day gig".
A couple of years ago, after a show in Fargo, ND, we stumbled into a bar and caught the
last set of the band called 32 Below. Not only were we riveted, but so was the crowd. On stage
there are bands that hope for your attention, and then there are bands that grab you by the ears
and demand it. From the distinct vocal harmonies, to the accomplished musicianship, to their
professional demeanor, we were very impressed.
We believe in them so much we've encouraged them to make the move to Nashville.
It's only a matter of time."
Eddie Montgomery
Troy Gentry - Montgomery Gentry

"For Montgomery Gentry, music has been a part of our lives ever since we can remember.
Growing up in the Honky Tonks of Kentucky and making a living performing live music is how
we "cut our teeth". We've seen everything from "Good", to "Better", to "Keep your day gig".
A couple of years ago, after a show in Fargo, ND, we stumbled into a bar and caught the
last set of the band called 32 Below. Not only were we riveted, but so was the crowd. On stage
there are bands that hope for your attention, and then there are bands that grab you by the ears
and demand it. From the distinct vocal harmonies, to the accomplished musicianship, to their
professional demeanor, we were very impressed.
We believe in them so much we've encouraged them to make the move to Nashville.
It's only a matter of time."
Eddie Montgomery
Troy Gentry - Montgomery Gentry

"We just happen to have a unique sound that comes from five different people with different musical influences."
--Matt Aakre

A Word with….32 Below's Matt Aakre

By John Strand
Editor

One of the hottest local bands, 32 Below, will perform at the Grand Forks Fair at the Alerus Center July 15, 16, and 17. Not only is 32 Below rocking the local country music scene, but they have their sites set on Nashville this fall, where national artists and a prominent label recognize their potential meteoric rise to fame. (For more information, visit their website at www.32below.net .) Following is HPR's interview with lead vocalist and lead guitarist Matt Aakre:

HPR: For starters, tell us about 32 Below? The name? The members? The who, what, when and where?
Matt Aakre: 32 Below started in 2001 as a four-piece band. Myself (Matt Aakre) on lead vocals and lead guitar; Nathan Stang on bass; Jeb Reinhiller on fiddle, mandolin, and guitar; and Derek Lien on drums. About six months ago we added another guitar player, Ty Taylor, to the group. The name of the band was just blurted out by someone and we all went, "Ok, that'll work, now on to the important stuff." We liked 32 Below and figured, if nothing else, people would have and idea where we were from.

HPR: You guys have established a reputation of being one of the hottest country bands in the region. Tell us about your music, your approach to the music scene, and your musical aspirations?
Matt Aakre: I think our reputation has grown so well because of the simple fact that we always have fun and we make sure it's a party for everyone else, too. When you love your job, it shows onstage and the audience can always see that.
Our music is probably best described as country with plenty of rock edge to it. That's another reason why it seems to appeal to so many different people. We see a very wide range of ages out to see us play.
Our main goal with our music is just to keep writing. That's what this business is all about.

HPR: 32 Below has rubbed elbows with some big names: Sawyer Brown, Trick Pony, Heart, Montgomery Gentry, Phil Vassar and Steve Azar, to name a few. How did these opportunities unfold and what came of them?
Matt Aakre: We've opened for quite a few big names, and they have all been great. Anyone who knows us would know that the best relationship so far has been the one we have with Montgomery Gentry. We met them in Mahnomen two years ago and have become good friends ever since. They've been a huge help getting us in front of the right people in Nashville.

HPR: What do you do as country artists to set yourselves apart from the broad field of musicians out there? What is it that is moving 32 Below forward, and into the hearts of your fans?
Matt Aakre: I don't think we do anything different to set us apart. We just happen to have a unique sound that comes from five different people with different musical influences. I don't think that any one of us is such an extraordinary player, but when you put us together something special happens, and it just feels right.

HPR: What is the highest point of your musical journey to date?
Matt Aakre: I think the highest point for us was when we opened for Montgomery Gentry at the Fargo Civic. We had played a lot of big concerts, but never in our hometown. So we were excited to see what kind of response we would get. I don't think any of us had any idea how much fun we would have that night. The crowd was amazing and it was a night that none of us will forget.

HPR: Where do you see yourselves going? How far?
Matt Aakre: We hope to go as far as our fans will let us. So the more fans we can get, the farther we'll go. We're going to keep doing what we've always done, work hard and keep having fun.

HPR: Tell us about the synergy you experience with each other. Give us some insights into the personalities and chemistries of your five members?
Matt Aakre: This is a good question. The chemistry within the band is everything. With us it's very simple, a lot of communication. The best thing for any relationship is talking and listening, and we do a lot of it. Almost every conversation we have with each other is about improving the group. Being in a real working band is a lot like a marriage. Most people don't realize how much time is spent with each other. They figure you show up at a bar, play for four hours and then say, "See ya next weekend." No one gets to see the ten-hour drives, living together in hotels, and the time spent rehearsing. I see these guys more than my wife.

HPR: Hawley, Hettinger, Stanley, and Hazen (I hope I have them right?) -- how do your backgrounds from small, rural towns influence your music?
Matt Aakre: Being from small towns and growing up on farms has helped us a lot. We're not afraid of a little work. Plus, we make sure to remember where we came from, and I think that's important.

HPR: Tell us about your CDs to date. What do they say about you? Describe how li - High Plains Reader

"We just happen to have a unique sound that comes from five different people with different musical influences."
--Matt Aakre

A Word with….32 Below's Matt Aakre

By John Strand
Editor

One of the hottest local bands, 32 Below, will perform at the Grand Forks Fair at the Alerus Center July 15, 16, and 17. Not only is 32 Below rocking the local country music scene, but they have their sites set on Nashville this fall, where national artists and a prominent label recognize their potential meteoric rise to fame. (For more information, visit their website at www.32below.net .) Following is HPR's interview with lead vocalist and lead guitarist Matt Aakre:

HPR: For starters, tell us about 32 Below? The name? The members? The who, what, when and where?
Matt Aakre: 32 Below started in 2001 as a four-piece band. Myself (Matt Aakre) on lead vocals and lead guitar; Nathan Stang on bass; Jeb Reinhiller on fiddle, mandolin, and guitar; and Derek Lien on drums. About six months ago we added another guitar player, Ty Taylor, to the group. The name of the band was just blurted out by someone and we all went, "Ok, that'll work, now on to the important stuff." We liked 32 Below and figured, if nothing else, people would have and idea where we were from.

HPR: You guys have established a reputation of being one of the hottest country bands in the region. Tell us about your music, your approach to the music scene, and your musical aspirations?
Matt Aakre: I think our reputation has grown so well because of the simple fact that we always have fun and we make sure it's a party for everyone else, too. When you love your job, it shows onstage and the audience can always see that.
Our music is probably best described as country with plenty of rock edge to it. That's another reason why it seems to appeal to so many different people. We see a very wide range of ages out to see us play.
Our main goal with our music is just to keep writing. That's what this business is all about.

HPR: 32 Below has rubbed elbows with some big names: Sawyer Brown, Trick Pony, Heart, Montgomery Gentry, Phil Vassar and Steve Azar, to name a few. How did these opportunities unfold and what came of them?
Matt Aakre: We've opened for quite a few big names, and they have all been great. Anyone who knows us would know that the best relationship so far has been the one we have with Montgomery Gentry. We met them in Mahnomen two years ago and have become good friends ever since. They've been a huge help getting us in front of the right people in Nashville.

HPR: What do you do as country artists to set yourselves apart from the broad field of musicians out there? What is it that is moving 32 Below forward, and into the hearts of your fans?
Matt Aakre: I don't think we do anything different to set us apart. We just happen to have a unique sound that comes from five different people with different musical influences. I don't think that any one of us is such an extraordinary player, but when you put us together something special happens, and it just feels right.

HPR: What is the highest point of your musical journey to date?
Matt Aakre: I think the highest point for us was when we opened for Montgomery Gentry at the Fargo Civic. We had played a lot of big concerts, but never in our hometown. So we were excited to see what kind of response we would get. I don't think any of us had any idea how much fun we would have that night. The crowd was amazing and it was a night that none of us will forget.

HPR: Where do you see yourselves going? How far?
Matt Aakre: We hope to go as far as our fans will let us. So the more fans we can get, the farther we'll go. We're going to keep doing what we've always done, work hard and keep having fun.

HPR: Tell us about the synergy you experience with each other. Give us some insights into the personalities and chemistries of your five members?
Matt Aakre: This is a good question. The chemistry within the band is everything. With us it's very simple, a lot of communication. The best thing for any relationship is talking and listening, and we do a lot of it. Almost every conversation we have with each other is about improving the group. Being in a real working band is a lot like a marriage. Most people don't realize how much time is spent with each other. They figure you show up at a bar, play for four hours and then say, "See ya next weekend." No one gets to see the ten-hour drives, living together in hotels, and the time spent rehearsing. I see these guys more than my wife.

HPR: Hawley, Hettinger, Stanley, and Hazen (I hope I have them right?) -- how do your backgrounds from small, rural towns influence your music?
Matt Aakre: Being from small towns and growing up on farms has helped us a lot. We're not afraid of a little work. Plus, we make sure to remember where we came from, and I think that's important.

HPR: Tell us about your CDs to date. What do they say about you? Describe how li - High Plains Reader