Ben O’Neill
Location: South Philadelphia
Hometown: State College, PA
Current Projects/What you do in the Philly music scene: singer/songwriter, The Mini Qs, touring guitarist for John Legend, Guitar Faculty at UArts
Past Projects: The MLMs, touring guitarist Jill Scott, Common, Kanye West, Tye Tribbett, etc
Instruments you play: guitar, vocals
Location of Photos: Function Coffee Labs, Molly’s Books
What do these locations mean to you?: I love Function because they are equally committed to excellent coffee and friendly atmosphere. Having had the privilege of visiting and comparing many coffee shops around the country (and world), it’s nice to have a place that puts a world class product in a friendly neighborhood environment.
In recent years I’ve visited dozens of bookshops in different cities. Some are tight, intentional and curated with a flair, others are sprawling, labyrinthine affairs where you just have to enjoy the ride. Molly’s is one of the former and one of the best.
Favorite Watering Hole/Coffee Spot: Function or Herman’s, both locally owned, excellent and fun to visit.
Favorite Restaurant: Fiore. Under the radar but competing with the finest in this amazing food city.
Favorite Philly Record Shop: I’ve always enjoyed Repo, and, somewhat unexpected, the Booktrader has a small but remarkable collection of clean classical records.
Favorite Philly Venue: I’ve had so many good experiences as an audience member and a performer that it doesn’t seem fair to pick one. I do love a good gilded-age theater. I was happy to perform in the refurbished Met for that reason. For a totally different vibe, you can stop into Time nearly any night and see some of Philadelphia’s finest musicians playing or hanging out.
Favorite Recording Space: My organ-trio The Mini Qs have done two projects at Kawari Sound in Wyncote and loved the experience. It’s a unique combination of funky and warm and professional grade.
Gritty or Phanatic: my wife and I are serious Phillies fans, so....
Favorite Philly Bands: Philadelphia is up to its ears in talent. Two of my favorite singers from Philly are Laurin Talese and Lee Mo. Both can be powerful or subtle, sensual or serious and both are inspiring to work with.
Best show you’ve seen in Philly: Pat Martino, one of my musical hero’s, is a Philadelphia native. I’ve seen him perform, probably a dozen times. He is most famous for his virtuosic jazz fireworks. One night I was right in front of the stage to hear him play Miles Davis’ Blue in Green, a classic, subtle ballad. It was so expressive, tender and nuanced. It was transcendent and took me to that original place of wonder, at once old and new; that place that inspired this journey to begin with.
What are you listening to now: In an unexpected twist, I’ve been listening to classical music, mainly solo piano works, for the first time in 15 years. Brahms, Beethoven, Chopin, Saint-Sein, Debussy, Ravel, Stravinsky.
If you could sum up in one sentence what Philly / Philly music scene means to you, what would it be? This city, and its musicians, changed my life and launched my career. I am exceedingly grateful.
Life motto: Try to spend less time worrying about all the things you have to do and more time doing them. In short: do the work.
Random Fun Fact: I grew up in a log cabin in central PA and have traveled to 35 countries. I almost always travel with my own chocolate supply.
Childhood Dream Job: Rockstar
Pets: Two cats, who remind me to slow down.
Future plans: More music, more reading, more smiling. I have two solo EPs that I plan to release this year: Light, Vol 1 and 2. The Mini Qs Live at South recording should be out on Spring Garden Records this summer. I’m looking forward to another collaboration with electronic music producer RVLVR and a couple of other ideas that I hope to begin soon and bring to fruition in 2021 or so.
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