Geoff Gallegos shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Geoff, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: When was the last time you felt true joy?
Although I strive to highlight joy on a daily basis, I will share a moment from June of 2025.
During a rehearsal for Kamasi Washington’s performance at the new LACMA Geffen Galleries, I was listening to “Band 5” play through the music. Band 5 was made up of ferocious musicians in their early twenties: Ronnie Heard was the Captain, and on Tenor Sax; Devin Daniels on Alto Sax; Tatiana Tate on Trumpet; Ralph Watkins on Trombone; Veritus Miller on Piano; Isaac Green on Bass; and Micah Heard on Drums. They were taking the sound to an ascended level. I began to water up around the eyes. The reason was because, in that moment, I realized that I would be likely able to go see live music performed at a world-class level for the rest of my life. This realization brought joy to my soul, and tears to my eyes.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Geoff Gallegos, and I am a hybrid of Composer and Lawyer. My house has a lot of paper stacked up.
The last five years have been about putting in the ten thousand hours required to master the “Lawyer” side. Now, in my fifth year as a licensed attorney, I am able to return some of my focus to continuing my development on the “Composer” side. In the next five years I am aiming to manifest a lifestyle that truly integrates both of these creative disciplines.
In 2025, I conducted music performances with Kamasi Washington, and Chamber Sessions. There are other music things in the works, and will be revealed when they are ready.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
I am trying to identify a single person who taught me about work ethic, and am not able to. I keep going back in my memory, and there is always someone else’s voice who reminds me of a foundational lesson.
I have had a lot of music teachers who instilled a disciplined approach to getting better as a musician. But before I even became a musician, there was the influence of the U.S. military.
We spent a lot of time around the military, because my father was in the Air Force. This changed after my parents split up, and my father was transferred overseas. But the first decade of my life was surrounded by people who were kind of disciplined about day-to-day life. Additionally, both of my grandfathers were World War II veterans. Even though neither of them spoke much about the war, there was this underlying intensity that they each carried within for the rest of their lives. I think that this vibe stuck with me, and contributes to my daily motivation.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
Damn…I cannot answer this completely, for a number of reasons, word count being front-of-mind.
I will speak on the divorce of my parents, because it had a profound impact on the type of man that I am now.
When I was eleven, my brother was eight, and my sister was an infant, my dad moved away from the family home. This was not a surprise to me when it happened. It was still a shock though. For me, things shifted quickly. I became very involved with child care, and meal preparation. All of my time was dedicated to taking care of my siblings while my mom worked a retail job to keep us housed.
In junior high, we were given the choice of shop class or home economics. I chose home ec, because they taught us how to cook. The sewing didn’t really catch, but I loved the cooking part, and it transferred to my life at home with my brother and sister. That, plus the class was filled with chicks. I digress.
The wound of having the protection of a father removed as I was just starting adolescence is something I have still not completely processed. But the process itself has informed the type of father I have chosen to be to my son. Where my father chose to leave, I chose to stay. As a result, the relationship I have with my son is tight, while the relationship with my father remains distant.
To my parents’ credit, they eventually were able to model a positive post-divorce blended family. This I appreciate, because it has informed how I operate within my own blended family.
A few years ago, I had a moment when I found out what my dad’s experience was being in the Air Force during the Vietnam War. I will not share that here, because that is his business. What I will share is that the information I was given helped me to understand that my dad did the best he could do. Once I had this epiphany, the sting from the wound started to fade.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
The Representative for my Congressional District (CA 28), Judy Chu, is someone who has power, and also demonstrates character. I’m going to share a story that is not public knowledge until right now. This is a moment that I witnessed with my own eyes.
I was playing saxophone at a Pasadena political event that was celebrating Chris Holden’s election to the California State Assembly. This was probably around 2012-2013. After the event, I was standing against the wall backstage, and heard Rep. Chu speaking to a member of her staff. I paraphrase, but heard her say something like, “There’s so much food left here. Can we find a shelter that needs meals for tonight?”
When I heard this, I realized that our District had sent the right person to the House of Representatives. In a Congress filled with self-servants, we sent a public servant. I admire Rep. Judy Chu for her character, AND the way she wields power.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What will you regret not doing?
Reading the signals from a gorgeous lady who wanted to make out with me in that moment, and failing to act on those signals that i came to later find out she was obviously sending. I’m still working on being able to pick up on these types of signals.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @stravingus
Image Credits
1-daKAH at Grand Performances by Music on the Road
2-Double G and Kamasi Washington at LACMA by Chelo Montoya
3-Double G curtain call with Common by Earl Hunter II
