Things were going extremely well for the Antlers at their record release show at New York City's Mercury Lounge. Halfway through the set, fellow Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Sharon Van Etten joined the trio onstage, delivering the lilting vocal harmonies of 'Thirteen.' Then the band abruptly stopped. "I f---ed up this amazing moment," frontman Peter Silberman said apologetically before starting the song again. When they played it a second time, the Antlers nailed it.

The collective quickly recovered from the hiccup and went on to deliver a stirring and memorable performance at the Friday night gig. The concert celebrated the Aug. 18th release of 'Hospice,' released on French Kiss Records, with supporting performances by Murder Mystery, Twin Thousands and Brent Arnold.

The evening drew a crowd that included the parents of band members as well as MTV's John Norris. The Antlers -- which also includes drummer Michael Lerner and multi-instrumentalist Darby Cicci -- filled the sweltering venue with tracks like 'Two,' 'Shiva' and 'Wake' from their tortured and throbbing indie rock epic. "It's kind of chilly up here," joked Silberman as members of the crowd held up their camera phones and dabbed their brows during the set.

The group's lauded album was inspired by Silberman's experience with a children's cancer ward. The songs were based on the idea of looking after a terminally ill patient who is emotionally abusive. Tracks from 'Hospice' meditate on themes of death, suffering and Sylvia Plath, with lyrics like, "All the while I'll know we're f---ed, and not getting un-f---ed soon."

However, the melancholy tunes couldn't mask the band's appreciation during their New York showcase. "It's been a really special evening for us and we don't know what to make of it," Silberman said humbly before closing the set.