We had the good fortune of connecting with Geoff Countryman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Geoff, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
Running your own event band or mobile recording company can seem like a simple endeavor to the outsider. On the surface, it seems like a band would go from gig to gig and there wouldn’t be much to it other than knowing where the next gig is. The truth is that there is a MOUNTAIN of backend that goes into the work. A single event can be as many as 30 emails between a client while larger corporate clients will sometimes ask for conference calls and start paperwork etc. Add in overseas travel, and you are dealing with new logistical headaches that can take months to work through. As a band or engineer, we are all about putting on a great show or capturing those great shows on tape. As a business, we are in support of making those great shows happen. Successfully blending the two has been key to making our endeavors succeed.

– Geoff Countryman
Owner, The Polka Brothers LLC
Owner, G&T Recording

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve made a career out of saying yes and working hard. Showing up on time and being easy to work with is half the battle. Talent helps, sure, but so much of the creative field is about interpersonal relationships. When I enter into something new – I don’t hesitate to ask questions. Imposter syndrome is a very real feeling, but if you admit you are an imposter when you are starting out, and just ask questions and are hungry to learn – you really can move fast into any new endeavor. I don’t like to say fake it til you make it, I like to think of it as more of a “try really hard and you’ll eventually make it”. Doesn’t roll off the tongue that easy, but it makes for a more positive spin on a tired expression.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Before Covid, I loved bringing my friends and family to the morning band rehearsal of the Saturday Night Live Band. I’ve been working there for 17 years and I still think it’s an amazing place and the musicians in that band are the best to ever do it. There are so many places to see live music in NYC, it’s hard to ever pick. But places like Smalls and The Village Vanguard are staples to hear amazing music.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Tyler McDiarmid, my partner at G&T Recording. A brilliant engineer, as well as my partner at Saturday Night Live where we work in the audio department.

Website: www.geoffcountryman.com

Instagram: @geoffreycountryman

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl0Zy4KzKcVqz4dTY19L9aQ/featured

Other: http://www.geofftylerrecording.com/

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.