BY: DIGITAL WAX MEDIA STAFF

 

 

Modern blues three-piece GA-20 delivered a new singles on Thursday in the form of a vamped up take on the Lazy Lester classic from 1959, “I Love You, I Need You.”

 

The band, which originated in Boston Massachusetts and takes its name the Gibson GA-20 amplifier, have developed a traditional-leaning sound which acts as a fusion of classic blues, rock & roll, and country elements.

 

This characteristic approach is on full display with the band’s most recent singles, the latest of which is a faithful reimagining of Lazy Lester’s “I Love You, I Need You,” but with a measured kick in the pants to give the classic an ever-so-slight boost in tempo.

 

 

Vocalist Cody Nilsen offers a smooth, heartfelt performance complimented by the steady groove of drummer Joshua Kiggans and vintage guitar stylings of founding member Matthew Stubbs. The assemblage of these elements give the band’s interpretation of “I Love You, I Need You” the overall feel of how a modern-day Jimmy Reed recording might sound.

 

“I Love You, I Need You” follow’s GA-20’s rendition of Billy Boy Arnold’s 1957 tune, “Cryin’ & Pleadin.’ The band’s take on the standard remains faithful to its source material, and is effectively driven forward rhythmically by the force of Kiggan’s shuffling backbeat.

 

Stubbs’ reverberating lead tone here is reminiscent of that of many iconic bluesmen such as Albert Collins and Buddy Guy. But the effectiveness with which the instruments sit alongside one another in the mix here is of particular note.

 

The drums pop with a bombast that endows the recording with the sort of excitement one might expect from a modern rock record, but the warmth of the recording – rounding out what could have been the more abrasive edges of the highs – establish a truly vintage atmosphere and a sense of familiarity for listeners.

 

GA-20’s newest singles “I Love You, I Need You” and “Cryin’ & Pleadin’” are now available to stream and will give listeners the first taste of the blues trio’s upcoming EP, GA-20 EP Volume 2, which will see release on April 29, 2025, through the Colemine Records imprint.

 

Upcoming tour dates for GA-20 can be found below.

 

 

February 15, Saturday – Narrows Center For The Arts – Fall River, Massachusetts

 

February 21, Friday – Infinity Music Hall – Norfolk, Connecticut

 

February 22, Saturday – My Father’s Place at The Roslyn Hotel – Roslyn, New York

 

March 7, Friday – Back Porch Music Festival 2025 – Northampton, Massachusetts

 

March 29, Saturday – Stolen Sun Craft Brewing – Exton, Pennsylvania

 

March 30, Sunday – Central Market House – York, Pennsylvania

 

April 5, Saturday – Taffeta – Lowell, Massachusetts

 

April 24, Thursday – Le FIL – Saint-Étienne, France

 

April 26, Saturday – Bain de Blues 2025 – Bain-de-Bretagne, France

 

April 28, Monday – Les Étoiles – Paris, France

 

April 29, Tuesday – Festival Jazz en Nord 2025 – Marcq-en-Barœul, France

 

May 2, Friday – Moulin Blues Ospel 2025 – Ospel, Netherlands

 

May 3, Saturday – Rhythm & Blues Night 2025 – Groningen, Netherlands

 

May 4, Sunday – De Zwerver – Leffinge, Belgium

 

May 10, Saturday – WMNF Tropical Heatwave 2025 – Tampa, Florida

 

May 11, Sunday – King Centre Studio Theatre – Melbourne, Florida

 

May 15, Thursday – 118 NORTH – Wayne, Pennsylvania

 

May 16, Friday – Elkton Music Hall – Elkton, Maryland

 

June 6, Friday – Franz Mehlhose – Erfurt, Germany

 

June 7, Saturday – Grolsch Blues Festival 2025 – Schöppingen, Germany

 

June 8, Sunday – Blues Peer 2025 – Peer, Belgium

 

June 8, Sunday – Goezot in’t Hofke 2025 – Oud-Turnhout, Belgium

 

June 10, Tuesday – The Bourne Music Club – Sittingbourne, United Kingdom

 

June 11, Wednesday – Acapela Studio – Cardiff, United Kingdom

 

June 12, Thursday – The Cluny – Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

 

June 13, Friday – Oran Mor – Glasgow, United Kingdom

 

June 14, Saturday – The Night Owl – Birmingham, United Kingdom

 

June 15, Sunday – The Jazz Cafe – London, United Kingdom

 

September 4, Thursday – Big Blues Bender 2025 – Las Vegas, Nevada

 

 

Photo: Guitarist Matt Stubbs, Vocalist Cody Nilsen, and Drummer Joshua Kiggans – Photo by: Elizabeth Ellenwood courtesy of Colemine Records