34Below

The Band
Award winning alternative-rock artist 34Below will energize you with their new album. An irresistible mix of pop and rock, 34Below's music defies definition yet appeals to the mainstream. "We live for our music," says James who, along with Ybarra, co-writes the majority of the band's material. Whether they’re in front of 20,000 people or 2 people they pull you in with their intimate rock show.

Who they are is four high school friends from San Diego, that have made a substantial impact with their unique brand of carefully stylized, melodic music and thought provoking songs. 34Below has been able to capture that energy on Masses Collide, which rocks with fifteen live unplugged tracks. Compared to the likes of Matchbox Twenty for their catchy melodic songs, or Queen for the strong vocals and lead presence, their influences range from Led Zeppelin to The Beatles, and from U2 to Mott The Hoople.

The Album : "Masses Collide"
Masses Collide comes hot on the heels of their very successful live unplugged album. This is their first studio album since Is It You, which spawned four singles and gained them radio airplay across the country. 34Below wanted to throw down the tracks quickly so they recruited veteran producer Michael Blue to capture the essence of the songs. Finishing touches came from Mark Chalecki, at Capitol Records, where the album was mastered to its current energetic state.

34Below was formerly signed with NFE Records/EMI and has now since departed to Blue Crown Records. "We are finally able to make a living doing what we love," says Ybarra. They have successfully taken advantage of the Internet and electronic distribution channels to get their music out to the fans while using the profits to fund their career.

History
As their popularity continues to increase, so do their busy schedules. They are constantly writing new songs and in some cases teaming up with other collaborators. James and Ybarra have written songs with Chris Barron of the Spin Doctors, hit songwriter Jeff Cohen, and many others. Of late, the enterprising band has performed live with the likes of such established artists as Sugar Ray, Lit, Vertical Horizon, Dishwalla, The Calling, Gin Blossoms, Pete Best (former Beatles drummer), Switchfoot, The Pat McGee Band, Five For Fighting, A.J. Croce, and even the highly touted comedian Carrot Top. 34Below's music has been featured on MTV's Road Rules, ESPN's Surfer Magazine Live, and on the soundtracks of surf films such as, Beyond the Boundaries and Wanted.

The band has toured the US several times and is gearing up for another tour in support of their new album. "We have worked long and hard to get to this point," says Ybarra. "We plan to continue to move in the only direction that 34Below knows how to go — up!"