Photo by Jessica Calvo

Boston bred-blues trio GA-20 have their first full-length live LP, Live In Loveland, on the horizon–just over a month away–set to release on March 17 via Colemine/Karama Cheif Records.

The ensemble–comprised of Matthew Stubbs, Pat Faherty and Tim Carman–have enjoyed a wave of growth and success as unexpecting blues fans become ensnared by their raw, convulsing sound apt to make walls drip with sweat at their shows – and with their upcoming live album, they’ve captured that energy.

Live In Loveland is encompassed by 11 ferocious performances, five from their album Crackdown (2022), three from Lonely Soul (2019) and three previously unrecorded unreleased tracks. Through their repertoire, GA-20 utilize their deep familiarity and unflinching dedication to the blues with vigorous playing, making vintage covers and originals all their own.

Live In Loveland was recorded live direct-to-tape on a vintage Tascam 388 at Plaid Room Records in Loveland, Ohio, the home of the iconic Colemine imprint. The project was produced by Stubbs and engineered by the owner of Colemine, Terry Cole. Together they successfully captured the elusive intensity of GA-20’s live shows.

“There is a special type of energy that is exchanged when we play in front of a live audience, and we definitely feed off of that and wanted to capture that. I love the power and energy of the best live blues albums,” said Stubbs. “Historically, some of the most iconic blues and jazz records have been live ones. B.B. King’s Live At The Regal changed my life. So did Hound Dog Taylor’s Beware Of The Dog! and Albert King’s Live Wire/Blues Power. We really wanted to continue that tradition and do one of our own.” 

Today, we premiere GA-20’s live rendition of “By My Lonesome,” a cut from Crackdown found on Live In Loveland. The song showcases the joyously raucous ensemble balanced, throwing heavy percussion, identifiable growling riffs, and scorching vocals at high speeds. The sound is loose but fills the room with such vigor it seems it could almost stretch the facade outward.

“Just in time for Valentine’s Day, a banger of a song for the lovers who are making the choice to drink alone,” said Stubbs of the song to Relix.

The sheer size of the sound makes the lyrics all the more digestible as GA-20 fiercely advocates for freedom, suggesting being on one’s lonesome isn’t all that bad in fact, through their blistering sound with vocals at the forefront, they make it sound somewhat delightful.

Pre-order GA-20’s Live In Loveland here.

Listen to the live premiere of GA-20’s “By My Lonesome” below.