10 In 10: Ben Buddy Slack, The Swan Song Project

Ben Buddy Slack is founder and creative director of The Swan Song Project, a not-for-profit organisation which helps people with terminal illness write their own songs to leave behind for loved ones – and also bereaved people write songs about those they have lost. The unique charity, based at the Old Chapel Studios in Leeds, works with songwriters across Yorkshire and has just launched a fifth birthday fundraiser. (April 2023).

He is the latest regional professional in the hot seat as The Yorkshire Times gives him just 10 minutes to answer our 10 burning questions.


b>What does a typical working day for you involve?

A good day for me includes a couple of songwriting sessions, I might be in a hospice in the morning working on a song with someone at their bedside then on Zoom later working with someone else across the country. We run a lot of group sessions in hospices as well and I always love these. Any time I get to share music with people I’m happy. I may also have to be sat at my desk working on funding applications, speaking to partner organisations, responding to enquiries, managing the songwriting team or trying to plan ahead for how we will reach more people. Ideally, I like to try and have full creative days and full office days but it rarely works out that way!

What makes The Swan Song Project special?

As far as we know we are the only organisation in the world that specialses in writing songs with people at the end of their lives. What I think makes our work really special is the collaboration we have with our participants. It is very important to us that we are writing a song with that person, not for them. They are a songwriter when they are working with us and we treat them as such. For most of our participants this is something they never thought they could do, we give them experiences they will never forget and help them to create something they can be incredibly proud of.

Do you have any business rules that you swear by?

It is very important to me that my work fits with my personal values. This is something I am keen to maintain as Swan Song grows and employs more people. It relates a bit to the “Start with Why” ideas and being clear about what we are here to do. Our work will likely evolve and change in different ways as we grow but I hope the values it was established on can hold throughout.

Do you dress up or down for work?

By most people's standards it would definitely be dressing down. I’m a man of comfort over style. You’ll often find me in a band t-shirt and jeans or shorts when warm enough.

What piece of advice would you give your 18-year old self?

I’m sure my 18 year old self wouldn’t listen to me but probably something about believing you can start something of your own. It never crossed my mind that I could start a charity (or a business) and that could be my work. It was only after I had started Swan Song sessions and they were going well it was suggested to me that it could become a charity and the idea still shocked me. I’ve always been an ideas person so if I had thought there was a possibility of turning them into tangible things (beyond songs) then I might have had a few other ventures.

What’s your favourite Yorkshire venue for an event or team away day?

I really love a gig at the Brudenel Social Club, it’s such a great venue. The Grove Inn in Holbeck is another favourite, they did their summer festival as a Swan Song fundraiser last year which was a great event.

How do you prefer to travel for work?
I prefer to walk when I can, I hate being stuck in traffic. Our new office at Old Chapel Studios is a bit of a longer walk for me though but hopefully in the summer I will be able to do it more. When going further afield I like being on a train, something about it connects to the old bluesman in me.

What’s your favourite place in Yorkshire to relax?
I love walking and we are so lucky to have such beautiful places in Yorkshire. Anywhere in the Yorkshire Dales, I love around Ilkely, Skipton and Otley and even some of my more local places like Meanwood Park. That’s a special place for me. There’s a bench there celebrating the work of the Swan Song Project designed and made by Repair Shop presenter Jay Blades. Jay is one of the high profile supporters we’re very’ lucky to have.

Where is your favourite place to eat in Yorkshire, and what dish do you recommend?

Fazenda or Tharavardu, both in Leeds, are my two favourite restaurants. I’d recommend all the meats at Fazenda and maybe the Thali at Tharavardu since you get to try so many different things on it.

What do you miss most about Yorkshire when you’re away?

The people and the countryside. Being out walking around Yorkshire with some friends is a good place to be.