Photo by Mirth Films
by Lisa Irwin.
Off The Record Trio is a popular ‘ 60s-style band based out of the Capital Region. Lisa Irwin recently had a chance to interview them. To learn more about Off The Record Trio, please click here: www.offtherecordtrio.com.
RRX: As I was preparing for this column and deciding who I wanted to interview, I immediately thought of Off The Record Trio. Thank you so much for taking the time to answer a few questions for me. I love the energy and style you all have. Your shows are lively and fun to watch. Can you tell me a little bit about the members and how Off The Record Trio started, and about your vibe in general?
OTR: Thank you—that means a lot to us.
Off The Record Trio grew out of a shared love for the music with our friend Lou Sansivero. Over the years, we had the pleasure of playing with Billy Harrison and now with Geo Doody. Between the three of us, we have decades of performing experience, but what really brings us together is the idea that there are so many incredible songs from the ‘60s that people haven’t heard live in years—or maybe ever. We love mixing those forgotten gems with the songs everyone knows, so people are constantly saying, “Oh my gosh, I haven’t heard this in forever!”
Geo Doody brings a deep knowledge of the music, Bob Resnick is the heartbeat of the band with a groove that keeps people moving, and I (Joanna Palladino) get to tell the stories and connect with the audience through the songs. It’s a true collaboration.
Our vibe has been described as part vintage cocktail party, part dance party, and part musical treasure hunt. We want every show to feel like you’re hanging out with friends who just happen to have a really great soundtrack.
RRX: You are an award-winning trio and have won the Capital Region Eddies Award four times. Winning once is exciting. Winning four times suggests consistency. What’s your secret to keeping a show fresh after all these years?
OTR: First of all, we are truly amazed and humbled that we continue to be recognized. We know the Capital Region is blessed with an incredible array of talented cover bands, and we know we are lucky to even be in their company. I think our secret is – we never phone it in.
Every audience is different, and we treat every show like it’s someone’s first time seeing us. We change the set lists constantly, pull out songs we haven’t played in years, add new material, and pay attention to the room. If people want to dance, we’ll lean into that. If they’re listening closely, we’ll tell more stories about the music and the artists behind it.
We’re also genuinely friends, and I think audiences can feel that. There’s a lot of laughter onstage, plenty of improvisation, and we navigate when something unexpected happens. Sometimes those unplanned moments become everyone’s favorite part of the night.
We also collaborate with other musicians, and their energy helps keep our shows fresh! Luke McNamee often plays with us and brings a different element with his saxophone. Mike Kelly and Ross Rice sit in every once and awhile on keys, and their playing expands our song selections.
RRX: When people leave an Off The Record Trio show, what do you hope they’re talking about on the drive home?
OTR: I hope they’re saying, “I forgot how much I loved that song and it still makes sense!”
Or maybe, “Who originally did that one?” because we’ve introduced them to something new.
More than anything, though, I hope they’re smiling. Life is heavy enough. If for two hours we helped people forget about work, politics, bills, or whatever was weighing on them—and they laughed, danced, sang along, or held someone’s hand during a ballad—then we’ve done exactly what we came to do.
RRX: You’ve played a lot of live shows. What’s the most unexpected moment that almost derailed a performance but ended up making it unforgettable?
OTR: Live music has a way of reminding you that perfection is overrated.
We’ve had power glitches, weather interruptions, forgotten lyrics, and equipment that decided to quit at exactly the wrong moment. Usually I experience costume failures – ripped seams, broken jewelry, and broken shoes. I just laugh it off and keep dancing.
Those moments remind us that people aren’t there to watch machines—they’re there to share an experience with real people. Sometimes the “mistakes” become the stories everyone remembers.
RRX: Again, thank you so much for this interview. One last question. Do you have any upcoming projects or things in the works that you can share a sneak peek of with me?
OTR: We’re always digging for songs that deserve another chance to be heard, so audiences can expect some new additions to the set list this year. We found some previously unreleased songs from lesser-known girl groups and will be adding them to our set list this month.
We’re also looking for opportunities to bring the Off The Record experience to new venues and festivals throughout the Northeast. We love introducing people to music they didn’t know they missed.
And who knows? We’ve learned never to say never. There are always ideas floating around—whether it’s another live recording, a cool video shoot, themed shows centered around a particular era or artist, or collaborations with some of the incredible musicians in the Capital Region (check out our three-band bill at Ophelia’s this fall with the Va Va Voodoos and the Del-Martians). The best part about this band is that we’re always looking ahead while celebrating music that has stood the test of time.
