THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “GA-20’s Vol. 2 features new members — singer-guitarist Cody Nilsen and drummer Joshua Kiggans alongside guitarist and founder Matthew Stubbs. And it finds the dynamic trio poised to advance their artistic vision with a renewed focus as they continue to reinterpret classic song-based blues for contemporary audiences.
Since 2018, GA-20 have been at the forefront of a traditional blues revival. The dynamic throwback trio have long been disciples of the place where blues, country and rock ’n’ roll intersect. “We make records that we would want to listen to,” says Stubbs. “It’s our take on the song-based traditional electric blues we love. The focus for us has always been on the story, the melody, and on creating a mood. Traditional country and soul have all had these massive recent revivals. We want to be part of doing that for traditional blues.”
GA-20 draw inspiration for their old-school sounds from the music and artists they love: Otis Rush, J.B. Lenoir, Howlin’ Wolf, Junior Wells, Hound Dog Taylor, Earl Hooker, Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson and so many others. Performing with reckless abandon, GA-20 bring a timeless immediacy to every song they play with a sound that continues to grow and evolve. The band use vintage instruments and amps to produce their authentic sound, and favor traditional recording techniques — like recording live off the floor together in one room — to help recreate that energy and sonic connection.
In their short history, GA-20 have topped the Billboard Blues chart three times, won four Boston Music Awards for Best Blues Act, received multiple wins and nominations at the Blues Music Awards, Blues Blast Awards, New England Blues Awards, and have ascended streaming and radio charts at home and internationally.”
