First thing's first — pause your iTunes or "Gangnam Style" Spotify playlist or whatever and play this while reading on:

We'd like to take this opportunity to welcome Baltimore, MD's Have Mercy to the Topshelf family. Taking cues from peers and predecessors like Makeout Party, The Jealous Sound, The Early November, Seahaven and Northstar alike, these dudes are carving a niche of their own.

The band is currently asleep in my apartment as I type this and I'm thinking it'd be real nice to like, make them breakfast or something to celebrate, but I'll probably end up sleeping in instead (sorry in advance, you guys — I am lazily well-intentioned). Edit: they got a parking ticket. Man, I'm the worst host!

The guys are currently on the road with The Jealous Sound and Daytrader. They'll also be recording their debut full length with J. Robbins for a 2013 release. For now, though, go check them out on their Facebook & their Twitter — and download their track "Let’s Talk About Your Hair" for free on our summer sampler.