http://www.lawrence.com/users/photos/2013/oct/30/263834/

Nashville’s Delta Saints are back at the Bottleneck this year for their third Halloween rager in a row, which makes you wonder, what keeps them coming back?

Vocalist (and guitarist) Ben Ringel says Lawrence is like their home away from home. While their biggest fan base is in Nashville, obviously, they have managed to establish a large amount of committed fans in Lawrence, making this town a close second in their market, and a place they look forward to coming back to every year.

Bass player David Supica and drummer Ben Azzi are both from outside of Kansas City, and have spent some time at KU, Ringel says. Ringel’s parents also met at KU.

“But beyond that, there is a special kind of magic to Lawrence, which we’ve always loved.”

Having toured in Europe for two summers, and all over the country, it’s significant that these bayou-rock saints feel a different kind of energy in Lawrence. It’s Kansas’s little gem.

“You just feel the support for the arts scene here, like you don’t feel anywhere else. Maybe Boulder,” Ringel says.

The Delta Saints recently released their full-length album “Death Letter Jubilee,” a compilation of songs written collaboratively (lyrics written by Ringel) that best represents the genuine emotions of the band as a whole. “We’re not just writing songs that we think we need to put out anymore,” Ringel says. “It’s no longer just a song about a drunken night or a girl. This is more honest.”

Since the release, they’ve had a reawakening, he says. After parting ways with their harmonica player, the band brought a new sound on the last summer European tour fueled by the addition of an organ to their instrumentals. With more than 40 shows (in one summer, wow) to put it to the test, the band has heard no complaints.

“This will be the first time Lawrence has heard this side of us,” Ringel says.

As per invitation request, get all costumed up, fill your body with cheap liquor, and brace yourselves for a great night of new songs and I’m sure, unexpected surprises.

The five men will be dressed in a galactic attire, which hadn’t yet gone through a dry run when I spoke with Ringel.

“One year we went as five bananas so if we can put on black tights and big, yellow banana suits, I’m pretty sure it can only go up from there.”

Looking to Halloween hop? Check out these shows for the night:

– Delta Saints Halloween Show w/ Middle Twin, Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St., $9-11.
– SUNU‘s Jazzhaus Halloween Party w/ DJ Proof, Jazzhaus, 926
Massachusetts St., $5.
– Dumptruck Butterlips Halloween Costume Ball w/ Dead Man Flats & TokenGrass, Granada, 1020 Massachusetts St., $10.
– Replay’s Halloween Party featuring Spirit is the Spirit, The ABCs, Dean Monkey & the Dropouts, Stiff Middle Fingers, Replay Lounge, 946 Massachusetts St., $3.
– “Hydroween” Halloween Warehouse Party w/ Bear Club, SeedCo Studios, 826 Pennsylvania St., $3-5.