New Music Tuesday: TS And The Past Haunts

TS And The Past Haunts is Travis Shettel's new project. You may remember Travis' previous band, Piebald, or you may have seen him rocking the keys with The Duke Spirit, but the Past Haunts is a whole new direction for him. The jams showcase a mature yet playful approach to songwriting, the music is built upon piano and organ as much as it is guitars, and the performances by Travis and the members of The Duke Spirit, who served as his backing band during the recording of the album, are spontaneous and thrilling. It's the happiest blues record of all time with gritty barroom solos, whisky soaked choral arrangements, and sad sack singalong piano ballads.

Currently there's no official release date for this record, but while Travis finds the right venue through which to put this album in our grubby little hands, we can enjoy a jam or two right here on Chain Letter. Heather and I have been doing our best over the last couple months to fill in the Duke's shoes at live shows. It's made it quite difficult to pick a favorite, not only because I have a personal attachment to so many of them, but because, frankly, they are all so fucking good. They're the kind of songs to get stoned to and cruise around in nature, or to toss on the ol' vinyl player and have a few beers with some friends, or play on the jukebox of your favorite neighborhood bar at closing time. They already remind me of good times, so I suppose it's only fitting to post the song "Good Times" to introduce TS And The Past Haunts to you. Plus it's a festive time of year. So crack open a cold one, light a spliff, or just sip on some nonfat, non-alcoholic egg nog, listen to the jam and remind yourself of the good times. Or be like Travis and create some new ones!