Paperback Perfumes

In the first of our Spooky Season series - we talk about how we can ‘defang’ death, the loneliness of grief and different cultural perspectives on ritual those no longer with us.In this episode, we discuss Louise’s first book, Hungry Bones, which explores profound themes of loneliness and connection. We discuss how cultural perspectives on death shape our understanding and acceptance of it, and how open conversations can demystify and reduce the fear surrounding death.Louise shares insights on how fragrance can evoke powerful memories and emotions tied to personal experiences, and the significant role scent plays in rituals and cultural practices surrounding death. We explore how young adult literature, like This Poison Heart, addresses complex themes in accessible ways, with characters that are nuanced and relatable, reflecting real-life struggles - whilst emphasizes the importance of representation in literature, showcasing joy alongside struggle.Join us as we highlight the interconnectedness of scent, memory, and identity, and the importance of open, honest discussions about death and representation in literature.Fragrances mentioned:Pikake Essential OilWhite Flower Oil Aromatics Elixir - CliniqueVive La Fleur - Flaner Fragrances Books mentioned: Hungry Bones - Louise HungThis Poison Heart - Kalynn Bayron Find Louise Hung on Instagram @louisehung1 or purchase a copy of ‘Hungry Bones’ from Scholastic (you can find it in larger book providers, but make good choices) Theme music for the show was created by Raul Sanchez I Jorge. Check out his solo work on Wild Animal Records

Our companions are not always human. The meaningful and grounding connections that we make can easily be with an animal or a tree…In this episode, we explore the intrinsic bond between humanity and companionship, emphasizing the profound impact that our beloved animal companions on our lives. Liz Moores, a self-taught perfumer and the creative force behind Papillion Perfumery, shares her insights on how these relationships with creatures and nature that inspire her craft. Liz captures the essence of cherished moments in her fragrances, each one a tribute to the memories - the scents serve as olfactory reminders of the joy and warmth that these relationships bring. Also discussed is the importance of connecting with nature and how best to express the change of seasons through scent.Fragrances mentioned:Anubis - PapillionEpona - PapillionDryad - PapillionBooks mentioned:Whispers Under Ground - Ben Aaronovitch The Belgariad (series) - David Eddings Orphia and Eurydicius - Elyse JohnFind Papillion Perfumery on Instagram @papillonartisanperfumes or on their website papillonperfumery.co.ukTheme music for the show was created by Raul Sanchez I Jorge. Check out his solo work on Wild Animal Records

Are the stories about our culture and community what we make or what are given to us? Örök Fragrances is a freshly launched fragrance house that passionately focuses on the rich stories and unique experiences of the queer community, all intricately told through the captivating medium of scent. In this episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with John, the visionary founder of the new Melbourne-based brand, Örök Fragrances. These thoughtfully crafted fragrances range from the delightfully weird and otherworldly to the cleverly playful and cheeky. Each scent invites wearers to explore their identity and celebrate their individuality.Fragrances mentioned:5am - Örök Fragrances Vapor Bloom -Örök Fragrances Undergrowth - Örök Fragrances Shoreline - Örök Fragrances Rave - Örök Fragrances Lavs - Filippo SorcinelliYakisugi Wood - Flaner FragranceBooks mentioned: The Genesis of Misery - Neon YangBeasts and Beauty: Dangerous Tales - Soman Chainani Out of the Blue - Jason June Wicked and Divine: Fandemonium - Gillian McKelvie and Wilson CowlesThe Colour Of Magic - Terry Pratchett Find Örök Fragrances on Instagram @orokfragrances or on their website orokfragrances.auTheme music for the show was created by Raul Sanchez I Jorge. Check out his solo work on Wild Animal Records

Political machinations are always interesting and show much safer when you are in the cheap seats of being a reader. Keeping your head above water in a historical context may just be about keeping it on your neckYou have to be a little bit brave to start out as a fragrance reviewer in the world of social media these days. Charlotte has recently started reviewing scents and sewing as a side hustle to expand her collection. Charlotte like to deep dive into the history of fragrances as well as offer reviews of scents that she loves. She is a fan of a skin scent, so there are a few fragrances in her collection that are not the usual names that I would reach for. In the episode we discuss her love of the Tudors, big books and how sometimes audiobooks need a really good narrator. Fragrances mentioned:Citrus - Olfactive O Bainin - Cloon KeenCarnal Flower - Frederic Malle Interlude Black Iris Man - Amouage Radical Rose - Matiere Premiere Hayat - XerjoffScorpio Rising - Eris ParfumsWonderwood - Comme Des Garcon Copper - Comme Des Garcon Books mentioned: Wolf Hall - Hilary MantelCity of Brass - S.A. ChakrabortyFind Charlotte on Instagram @scentsofdirection Theme music for the show was created by Raul Sanchez I Jorge. Check out his solo work on Wild Animal Records

When was the last time you thought about how public spaces smell? Or what scent palate you are culturally comfortable with? What is the scent of work and of play? Jayanthan (Jay) Sriram is a PhD student at Concordia University in Montreal and a member of the German Academic Scholarship Foundation. He is in the Interdisciplinary Humanities PhD Program and coordinates the Exploration in Sensory Design research team. His research aims to highlight the importance of smell in aesthetics through functional scenting and perfumery. His PhD project, “The Life of the Ephemeral – Building Olfactory Aesthetics,” critiques the common disregard for physical and olfactory values, focusing on the perspectives of those who create and curate these experiences. Jay also has a music blog and an interest in reading Manga, which is reflected in the book choices for this episode. Fragrances mentioned:Dior Homme - Christian Dior Fourreau Noir - Serge LutensTerroni - Orto ParisiMoth - ZoologistBooks mentioned: The Haçienda: How Not to Run a Club - Peter HookBerserk (Deluxe Volume 1) - Kentaro MiuraMusic accompaniment: Jay has recommended some follow on listening for the books mentioned For The Hacienda - Querido by DJ Anderson do ParaisoFor Berserk, Umbilical by Thou The former pretty much as an extension of where club culture can go and where it might have never been reliant on one narrative as this is Bruxia from Brasil and the latter as a great aural experience to complement the heft of Berserk.Read Jay’s research on Researchgate. You can also Find Jay on Instagram and explore his music blog. Theme music for the show was created by Raul Sanchez I Jorge. Check out his solo work on Wild Animal Records

Sometimes you need to pivot to find your joy. Sometimes you have to lose something important in order to gain so much more. However, change is always a certainty. Liminus owner and perfumer, Hilary, is creating natural perfumes involves using sustainable practices, sourcing local materials, and capturing the essence of a place. Liminal spaces, both physical and metaphorical, play a significant role in personal growth and transformation. Scent has the power to evoke memories and enhance experiences, making it a valuable in assisting in this process of change. During my conversation with Hilary, we focus on the benefits of small batch making, exploring botanicals that are yet to ‘make it big’ in the world of perfumery, as well as text that connect us to our our country and landscapes. Fragrances mentioned:Alba - Liminus Thamnic - Liminus Hwyl - AseopWash Me In the Water - 4160 TuesdaysBooks mentioned: Selected Poems - Gwen Harwood The Heartbeat of Trees: Embracing Our Ancient Bond with Forests and Nature - Peter WohllebenThe Rain Heron - Robbie ArnottCheck out Liminus’ website at www.liminus.com.auTheme music for the show was created by Raul Sanchez I Jorge. Check out his solo work on Wild Animal Records

Life is journey - you made find yourself on a bus in the middle of nowhere, or wind up making perfume.Corey Newcombe is perfumer and owner of Australian artisanal fragrance house, Criminal Elements. The brand has bee making fragrance for around 10 years and we discuss how Criminal Elements came about, the training of your nose, what it takes to run a small business, being in community not competition and what it’s like to make a fragrance from a dream you had that one time… Fragrances mentioned:Wicked Mistress - Criminal Elements Neon - Criminal ElementsVerge - Criminal Elements Tobacco Jam - Criminal Elements Books mentioned: Space Opera - Catherynne M. ValenteThe Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry - Rachel Joyce The Doll Factory - Elizabeth MacnealCheck Criminal Elements full website at criminalelements.netTheme music for the show was created by Raul Sanchez I Jorge. Check out his solo work on Wild Animal Records

And just because alliteration is a beautiful thing- please also add Broadswords into the mix. Choose your weapon wisely. Fliss Walton is one quarter of the UK based fragrance podcast ‘Les Oderants’ - emphasis on the work ‘rant’. Fliss has work as a professional actor, as a facilitator and has, by all accounts, an extensive perfume collection. She may also be a self proclaimed lover of a ‘pretty bottle’, but we do our best to remain focussed on the juice. In this conversation we deep dive into the work of a few perfumers, discuss the role of scent as communication, a tool for getting into character and the very different types of death that medieval weaponry can achieve. Fragrances mentioned:Baccarat Rouge 540 - Maison Francis KurkdjianAndalusian Soul - Merchant of VeniceTweed - LenthericAzuree - Estée LauderDiorling - DiorAromatics Elixir - CliniqueAndrea Maack - Coven Maja - MyrurgiaNoir De Noir - Tom Ford Obsession Night - Calvin Klein Trésor - LancômeFeminite du Bois - ShiseidoRose - Mercedes BenzSara Baker - Jungle Jezebel Giorgio - Giorgio Beverly HillsVerdant - Boujee BougiesDelta of Venus - Eris ParfumBelle De Jour - Eris Parfum Mxxx - Eris ParfumBooks mentioned: Miss Benson’s Beetle - Rachel JoyceScent and Subversion: Decoding A Century Of Provocative Perfume - Barbara Herman