JANUARY 9, 2025
Welcome to THE BIOLOGIST, your weekly dose of inspiration at the intersection of fragrance and culture.
First we wanted to acknowledge the fires in Los Angeles. We are heartbroken. LA is the city we proudly call home and that inspires our brand. To support relief efforts, we’re donating 50% of proceeds to LA Fire Dpeartment Foundation on all sales this week. Together, we can help protect and rebuild our community.
FUNCTION: THE SCIENCE OF SENSORY HARMONY
Ever notice how vanilla smells sweeter when you're listening to tinkling wind chimes, or how that woodsy candle feels extra cozy with jazz playing in the background? Turns out, it's not just your imagination. Scientists at Oxford University discovered that our brain plays DJ with our sense of smell—high notes can make sweet scents sing, while bass lines bring out the depth in woody fragrances. Our brains process sound and smell in interconnected ways, creating a natural symphony of the senses.
Create your own sensory experience by pairing a fragrance from your collection with different types of music and notice how the fragrance shifts. Need some new music inspiration? Check out what we’re listening to on the latest Biology Fragrances Playlist.
TRANSPORT: SONIC LANDSCAPES
As winter settles in, we’re using fragrance to transport us elsewhere (not to mention planning summer vacations). And this is enhanced with sound - like how a rainfall carries the scent of petrichor, or how the aroma of fresh coffee is enriched by the gentle hum of a brewing machine. Some of our strongest scent memories come paired with distinct sounds: the buzz of summer cicadas with fresh-cut grass, or the quiet of fresh snow with crisp winter air.
And when it's not possible to spend time outside or travel, lighting an incense with the scent of blooming jasmine or brewing tea that smells of sunlit citrus can transport you to a warmer, more vibrant place, if only for a moment.
Where will sound and scent take you this year?
BOND: COMPOSING WITH SCENT
At the Ephemera Festival in Warsaw, scent is diffused throughout installations and performances to offer an aromatic layer to music and art experiences. This vibrant festival, inspired by Slavic summer solstice rituals symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness, offers a captivating blend of music, dance, performances, food, and scent, with a touch of real magic—including literal fire play. Often described as the eccentric sibling of Unsound, the event prioritizes showcasing compelling contemporary art over star-studded headliners. It serves as a global meeting ground and a unique, immersive cultural experience that breaks boundaries and celebrates creativity in all its forms. Dates for the 2025 edition of the festival have not been announced yet. Other artists including Björk, Brian Eno and Ibrahim Maalouf have all incorporated scent into their musical performance and artistic endeavors to create immersive, multi-sensory experiences.
Need some scent inspiration for composing music? Bright top notes like citrus or green leaves pair well with upbeat tempos and lively melodies, while rich middle notes such as florals or spices evoke warmth and emotion. Deep base notes like sandalwood or amber resonate with dramatic or ambient music, grounding the experience. For experimental sounds, unconventional notes like smoky oud or marine accords can transport listeners to entirely new, imaginative realms.
