GA-20: a tour, an EP and an interview !

With their raw and authentic sound, GA-20 has established itself as one of the leading bands in the revival of traditional blues. Following the success of Try It… You Might Like It!, a tribute to Hound Dog Taylor, and their first Volume 1 recorded live, the American trio returns with Volume 2, a new EP that continues their exploration of electric blues.

On the occasion of their upcoming tour in France, we spoke with Matt Stubbs, guitarist and founder of the band. A fascinating (and relaxed!) conversation about blues, vintage sound, the band’s evolution, and, as a bonus, some culinary tips!

The exclusive interview with Matt Stubbs

Hi Matt! How are you doing? Let’s talk about this new EP… GA-20 has always embraced a sound deeply rooted in traditional blues, as you demonstrated with Try It… You Might Like It!, your tribute to Hound Dog Taylor. What drew you to Billy Boy Arnold’s Cryin’ & Pleadin’ to launch this new EP?

Hey! We’re doing great. In the world of traditional blues, you’re always reaching back for inspiration—whether in your own writing or in songs you find inspiring to cover. Billy Boy was a standout in the Chicago scene, famous for I Wish You Would, of course, and our own starting point as a band has always been traditional Chicago blues. I love the hypnotic one-chord groove, and with Cody joining the band, it was the perfect opener to introduce his voice. I once had the chance to share the stage with Billy Boy at the Chicago Blues Fest, which was very cool.

This new EP, Volume 2, seems to continue your exploration of traditional electric blues. Can you tell us more about its musical direction and the mindset in which you recorded it?

Some people might find this boring, but with all traditional forms of music—like blues, jazz, and roots music—it’s important to keep the tradition alive by performing and recording the music that inspired you. Original music is super important, but looking back is a key part of these traditions. No matter where we go musically, this will always be a fundamental part of our approach.

Volume 1 was recorded live, capturing the band’s raw energy. How did you approach the recording of Volume 2, and what led to that decision?

We always record live, all together in one room, so there’s always a conscious effort to bring the energy and spontaneity of a live show to our recordings. It’s never quite the same as playing in front of an audience, but we were excited to get some songs together and work them out.

The arrival of Cody Nilsen marks a significant change for the band. How has his style and slide guitar expertise influenced GA-20’s sound on this new project?

Having Cody on board is like gaining a whole new set of tools to work with. His vocal range and tone are incredible, and his slide guitar expertise is invaluable. Slide has been part of our sound from the very beginning, starting with our first single, Naggin’ On My Mind. He’s also a wizard on lap steel and pedal steel, so we’re looking forward to incorporating more of those elements in the future. He’s done an amazing job capturing the essence of GA-20, both in the studio and on stage.

You’ve often talked about the importance of vintage recordings and analog sound. Did you take a particular approach in the studio to capture the essence of this new EP?

Of course! I always have a very specific vision for each project as a whole, and for each track individually. Our thing has always been about playing and recording what we love to hear, and that’s what we do. We love vintage gear—Cody and Josh are both gearheads like I am—so we have a lot of fun with it.

You’ll soon be back in France for several shows, including festivals. What connection do you have with the French audience, and what can they expect from these concerts?

This will be GA-20’s third time playing in France, and both Josh and Cody have toured there extensively with other projects. I have to say, French crowds have always been incredibly enthusiastic and responsive. That energy makes such a difference—it creates a loop where we feed off the audience, and they feed off us, pushing the performance even further. Outside of the shows, France is one of our favorite places to tour. We love eating, drinking, and meeting new people, so we always look forward to it. We have a favorite cocktail bar in Paris (Le Syndicat), and we became friends with a guy who runs an amazing little restaurant in Bordeaux (Tūpac—it’s Peruvian, check it out!). We always have a great time.

What’s next for GA-20? A Volume 3 or a new album? Can you tell us more?

I can’t tell you more! We have some very cool things in the works, but you’ll have to wait… or guess. In the meantime, we’ll see you out on the road!

Thank you so much, Matt! Enjoy touring in France!

Merci! See you out there…