Benjamin Sweeny has lived a life immersed in music. Growing up in the 1950s, his home resonated with big band sounds, folk music, and early rock & roll. In the 1960s, he was swept up in San Francisco’s psychedelic scene, attending iconic concerts and absorbing the era's transformative energy. His journey took him across Europe and Asia, where he embraced Eastern rhythms and instruments, before settling in Formentera and Ibiza.
There, he formed Ruff and the Ryders with Jesse Lee Kincaid, blending folk, blues, and flamenco influences. Over 15 years, Ben became a staple of Ibiza's music scene, performing with local bands like Banana and Cas Vicari Blues Band. After stepping back for a time, he has returned to songwriting with renewed inspiration.
Collaborating with Kincaid and producer Vincenzo D'Agostino, Ben is crafting new music that draws from his lifelong journey while exploring fresh creative territory. His work continues to captivate audiences with its depth and authenticity.