Brian O’Neill’s Biography*
Who am I? I’m a Phoenician, a percussionist (huh?), and a design/ux director for an internet startup. I love red, I’m an amateur chef, and I’m a wannabe polyglot. I own a marching machine.
My Life in Five Sentences
This Pisces was born March 5th, 1977 in Phoenix, AZ. Lots of piano immediately. 88 keys accompanied my life from 1st grade through high school. Drums. Started those in junior high. Percussing is still not a verb, but it paid for college at Northern Arizona University. Graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelors’ Degree in Percussion Studies in 1999 (Thanks Steve). Moved to Boston in 1999, and ever since I have been freelancing as a percussionist/drummer, arranger, and keyboardist; and designing useful, usable, and beautiful websites & apps via my company name, Rhythmspice.
Mr. Ho the Musician
I believe that my strongest characteristic as a musician lies in my diversity; I perform a variety of musical styles on an equally-wide range of instruments. I enjoy and perform on "world" and hand percussion, vibraphone, drumset, and orchestral percussion (including timpani). The pandeiro is probably my favorite. As a result of my diversity, I find I am able to perform more often with a wide range of people. Whether in a tuxedo at Carnegie Hall, in Mexico City at the Festival de Mexico, or at a local club with a Mexican son band, being versatile and well-rounded is important to me in all aspects of my life.
The Other Side of Boneill
In addition to studying music, I also study languages, dance, food and culture; this is often tied to the music I play. I try to be an amateur gourmet chef specializing in bbq and meat products which probably stems from my...Latin soul...as I am also an intermediate Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese speaker. Of course, what good are tasty meats without good music and a good cocktail? In my spare time, I partake in the recreation of decades-old polynesian cocktails and I consider myself a virtual apprentice of my friend and cocktailologist Beachbum Berry. I dig mid-century modern design and lifestyle and would live in the Jetson's home if I could.
About Rhythmspice
“Rhythmspice” stems from two interests I have: “Rhythm” pertains to music, and specifically my life and love of percussion. “Spice” pertains to my heritage (Arizona), where great Mexican food is a way of life, and my nourishment of choice. When I moved to Boston, I divided the site to better reflect on who I am. www.rhythmspice.com is a professional site highlighting my interaction design consultancy; music.rhythmspice.com highlights my personal and musical life.
* I am also known as Boneill, Bo, and Mr. Ho and I last updated this page in March of 2008