The McMercy Family Band

The McMercy Family Band provide a fresh take on gospel music that is delightfully off-kilter.

Based in Austin and founded by the “Reverend” Ted Hadji, the septet is comprised of Brother Dan, Brother Ryan, Brother Adam, Sisters Kristen and Lindsey, Cousin Rubin, and Uncle Ted, altogether creating a swell of strings and vocals, wading somewhere between uplifting and sinister. The band released their debut album Hallelujah Anyhow in the summer of 2014, which is a stripped down collection of songs brimming with rich vocal harmonies, lo-fi folk, and an intangible energy.

You can catch their live show at the Continental on February 14th or stream their music live right here on KUTX. - KUTX

"Brace yourself for the raucous energy of the high-spirited McMercy Family Band and songwriter Konrad Wert‘s one-man musical tornado Possessed By Paul James. The McMercy Family’s new release, Hallelujah Anyhow, is a grand mix of traditional and not-so-traditional gospel shakedowns with plenty of glorious vocal harmonies" - KUTX.org

Whatever spirit is inspiring the McMercy Family Band, it’s beyond compare to almost anything else in town. Founded last year by Ted Hadji, the sextet testifies their raucous gospel with sly wink, but the harmonies and energy that the group delivers in their tunes transcend beyond typical string band jams. Lindsey Verrill’s high nasal whine delivered behind her thudding upright bass caricatures Old Time Appalachia, but melts perfectly into the soft harmony of her sister Kristen, while Dan Grissom, Ryan Conlin, and Adam Rader supply strings and lower timbers. The McMercy Family Band live is a revelation, albeit a slightly demented one. - Austin Sound

Be warned: This will be one massive, rambunctious party. In other words, you don’t want to miss the triple bill awesomeness at the White Horse this evening. And it’s safe to say that this will be a night of fantastic talent that disregards any expectations of folk and gospel you might have. - KUTX.org

As if heeding Asylum Street Spankers’ former calling as God’s favorite band, Austin’s McMercy Family Band approaches old-time religion and Appalachian folk from the decidedly DIY perspective of the Annie Streets Arts Collective. Founded by the “Reverend” Ted Hadji and anchored by real-life siblings Kristen and Lindsey Verrill, the septet’s lo-fi folk boasts a raucous counter to contributor Dan Grissom’s Some Say Leland. The Navasota String Band and the Victor Mourning unplug first. – Austin Powell - Austin Chronicle

As if heeding Asylum Street Spankers’ former calling as God’s favorite band, Austin’s McMercy Family Band approaches old-time religion and Appalachian folk from the decidedly DIY perspective of the Annie Streets Arts Collective. Founded by the “Reverend” Ted Hadji and anchored by real-life siblings Kristen and Lindsey Verrill, the septet’s lo-fi folk boasts a raucous counter to contributor Dan Grissom’s Some Say Leland. The Navasota String Band and the Victor Mourning unplug first. – Austin Powell - Austin Chronicle