LA COSTUMBRE TAKES TRADITION IN NEW DIRECTIONS with DEBUT ALBUM "LA COSTUMBRE" Rising out of the Texas-Mexico borderland, La Costumbre is a band firmly rooted in tradition, yet has forged a path in new musical directions on its debut Hollywood Records release, "La Costumbre." Released October 5, 1999, the album features the single and video "Retírate," written by the band's own lead singer and accordion player, 18-year-old José Zamora. La Costumbre is rounded out by Zamora peers Edgar Luján on lead vocals and bajo sexto, Efrain "Pin" Morales on bass, Karl Moreno on drums, and Manuel Jasso on tumbas. In Spanish, costumbre means tradition, and these five teenagers from Zapata, Texas, give new meaning to traditional conjunto on "La Costumbre." Produced by Carlos Cabral "Junior" (Los Temerarios, Ana Gabriel, Ana Bárbara), the band's self-titled album features present-day lyrics (six of the album's 11 cuts are the band's original material), fresh arrangements, and modern production. Peppered with staccato accordion runs and a driving bajo sexto bass line, "La Costumbre" offers catchy melodies and danceable rhythms. The lead-off single, "Retírate," was released in June to regional Mexican, Norteńo, and Tejano radio and will be supported by a radio tour across the western, southwestern and midwestern U.S. Special promotions and radio concerts will drive home "Retírate" as a bona fide radio hit. By bringing multigenerational appeal to conjunto music, La Costumbre keeps an age-old tradition alive and kicking.