Somewhere between Avenue A and the Williamsburg Bridge, the heart of Manhattan’s downtown rock scene beats with a vibrant pulse. This scene generates a surplus of fresh musical talent that often rivals most other parts of the U.S.

Within this outpour, one band has managed to attract more unsolicited press attention and underground buzz in its one year of life than most will see in a lifetime.

Meet Young Lords; Austin expats and New York-based alt-country revivalists.

Download “Rodeo Songs” MP3

In Young Lords, the spirit of the outlaw lives, in them, the unchecked propulsion of punk bellows forward and is buoyed by the wily exuberance of vintage rock ‘n’ roll. With rumbling guitars, sneering vocals, and the same insistent drumming as their 60’s forefathers, the band has managed to make a blistering and familiar racket.

Having derived the last word of their name from an admiration for British nobility, lead singer Blair Van Nort admits, “We’re inspired by a lot of (what can be considered as) ‘English’, but,” he adds, “what we produce is very American.”

Following an initial meeting with guitarist Adam Gerard at The New School, Blaire and guitarist/brother, Reed Van Nort brought bassist Maxwell Kamins on board and proceeded to nickel-and-dime their way into low-budget practice spaces. Though their initial beginnings were rough, with Blair and Adam having nothing more than a mutual admiration for a certain professor between them, the Young Lords’ allowed their work ethic to shine through in rehearsals and a working partnership solidified.

Watch “Tryin” video clip from mtvU’s Ahead of the Curve series

Adam recalls, “When they asked me to be part of the band they were like, ‘You know you’re going to be playing most of the lead parts?’ Though I only knew some chords, I learned all the songs. Since then we’ve been a core unit.”

After many diligent months of practicing and playing along side of, personal and local favorites, The Fratellis, The Willowz and VietNam, the Lords’ inimitable cowpunk sound and distinctly retro look lead the likes of Nylon and Anthem to acknowledge the band’s sonic impact over the scene in which they reigned.

Similarly, L’Uomo Vogue and John Varvatos’ Converse brand recruited the fashionable foursome for layouts and national print campaigns. Eventually, mtvU would recognize the band in an, appropriately titled, “Ahead of the Curve” featurette.

With critical attention already paid to their 2007 EP, ‘Turn It Up‘, this fall will see the release of the Young Lords first full-length.

‘Rodeo Songs’ is a digital-only LP that defines the boys’ unique brand of dirt-rock and twang. With sonic tinges of everything from Jesus and Mary Chain (see: “Silver Bullets” and “Trying”) to reminiscences of The Kinks on jam-outs like “Pretty Little Mess”, the Young Lords’ sound is poised to reinvent the very notion of “Gothic Americana”.

Young Lords’ debut album, ‘Rodeo Songs’ is set for release October 7, 2008.

For more music and information, go to:

Young Lords MySpace