Perfume on the Radio

The Institute for Art and Olfaction

Perfume on the Radio explores humanity’s deep and diverse cultural connections with smell in a collaborative show led by the Institute for Art and Olfaction, with Los Angeles radio station Lookout FM. Each episode tackles a new theme, exploring its connections with scent through interviews with perfumers, academics, artists, and more. New episodes are uploaded on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month. Learn more at perfumeontheradio.com or at artandolfaction.com.

  • 1 hour 16 minutes
    Smelling Our Way Through Qatar

    Indulge in a bit of armchair travel as Perfume on the Radio visits Doha, in Qatar. This episode explores the culture and smells that a group of people encountered while on a trip to the country with the Qatar America Institute for Culture. There's incense, there's perfume, there's art, and, yes, there are cats. 

    In order of appearance: Fatima Al-Dosari (Qatar America Institute for Culture),  Razwan Ul-Haq (Calligrapher),  Micah Anderson (Oudimentary),  Rubia Chaudri (Perfumer), Regina Mamou (Artist), and hosted by Saskia Wilson-Brown

    Episode thanks: Qatar America Institute for Culture, Jawad Khawaja (Oudimentary)
    Credits: Muhammad Abdul-Salam, Qalbak Sakhar, courtesy of Qatar Digital Library; Sallām, Najāḥ: Yā Rīm Wādī Thaqīf, courtesy of Qatar Digital Library; Freska by KA, on Premiumbeat.com; A 1950s Romance by Jonathan Boyle on Premiumbeat.com; Qatar airlines - landing and announcements from inside aircraft.mp3 by evsecrets on freesound.com; DubaiDepartures.mp3, by acclivity on freesound.com; Emmitt James, music composition; Eau (Maxwell Williams), sound composition. 

    Perfume on the Radio is produced by The Institute for Art and Olfaction, a non-profit devoted to experimentation and access in the field of perfumery.

    11 November 2023, 11:00 pm
  • 49 minutes 16 seconds
    The Quiet Magic of John Steele

    Have you ever met a person who had a strange and uncanny sort of magic about them? So it is with John Steele. LIfelong learner and seeker, John is also a purveyor of the strange and the rare, the oddball beauties that our world produces. We’re talking, here, about aromatics. 

    Perform on the Radio returns with a long overdue episode, which we’re calling The Quiet Magic of John Steele. 

    With: John Steele, Lifetree Aromatix
    Hosted by Saskia Wilson-Brown

    Perfume in the Radio is produced by The Institute for Art and Olfaction.

    Credits: Jake Brady (editor), Emmitt James (music composition), Maxwell Williams (sound composition), Music: Paradise Lagoon (Premium Beat)

    18 June 2023, 7:00 pm
  • 59 minutes 39 seconds
    CB Hates Perfume?

    Veteran perfumer and all around brilliant human Christopher Brosius (Demeter, CB I Hate Perfume) joins us to answer our most pressing question: does he, in fact, hate perfume? Well... yes. But also, not at all.

    With: Christopher Brosius (CB I Hate Perfume)
    Hosted by Saskia Wilson-Brown.

    This episode premiered on Lookout FM, Los Angeles. Lookout FM can be heard on KGAP 96.7  FM Burbank, KFQM 101.5 FM Pacific Palisades, KLDB 99.1 FM Hollywood,  and online at lookout.fm.

    Perfume in the Radio is produced by The Institute for Art and Olfaction.

    CREDITS

    BIRDSong_Sparrow chicks by newlocknew on Freesound.com; Neon Hearts by Immersive Music on PremiumBeat.com; Arabesque No. 1, Andantino con Moto, by Claude Debussy; 80s Synth Pop by Young Presidents on PremiumBeat.com; Perfume on the Radio Identity by the great Emmitt James; 1kHz by kwahmah_02 on Freesound.com; 2016-10-11-DR-05-Ocean Waves-EDITED.wav by kingsrow on Freesound.com; Beeble Bobble POTR ID by Eau (Maxwell Williams)

    30 September 2022, 1:00 am
  • 1 hour 6 minutes
    The Automoshow

    The vroom-vroom of the engine, the honk-honk of the horn. Cars come with a lot of sounds. They also come with a lot of smells. In this episode, we lean into the gassy side of things and explore the aromatics of these beautiful, belching metal beasts.

    With:
    David Moltz (DS & Durga)
    Daniel Krasofski (labDK)
    Killian Wells (Xyrena)
    Nick Kurczewski (Automotive Reporter)
    Pia Long (Olfiction)
    Pedro Nuñez and Micah Hahn (Highland Park Car Club)
    Hosted by Saskia WIlson-Brown.

    Episode premieres Thu. August 11, 5pm PT on Lookout FM (KGAP 96.7 FM Burbank, KFQM 101.5 FM Pacific Palisades, KLDB 99.1 FM Hollywood, and online at lookout.fm ) and at 6pm PT on a podcast provider near you.

    MUSIC + SOUND

    Introduction by Emmitt James
    Wabash Blues by Harpo Marks on PremiumBeat.com
    Car Honking by MicktheMicGuy on Freesound.com
    Caveman of Los Angeles, by Party Store Music on PremiumBeat
    Positive Attitude, by Nesterouk on Premium Beat
    Pretty Baby by Harpo Marks on PremiumBeat.com
    Moonrise by Darian Zahedi

    12 August 2022, 12:00 am
  • 1 hour 7 minutes
    The Perfumer's Cat

    There is an anecdotal correlation between perfume-making and cat ownership. Perhaps it's the solitary nature of the work that lends itself to humanity's least co-dependent relationship. In this episode we explore the catty side of perfumery.

    With:
    Perfumer Ashley Eden Kessler sharing cat smells and cat accords
    Cat expert Jackson Galaxy exploring how cats use smell to relate to the world
    Art historian and museum professional Jessica Murphy sharing feline perfume advertising
    Perfumer Laurie Stern discussing how her cats have impacted her practice
    Designer Micah Hahn sharing anecdotal insights into the smell lives of two small house-cats, Egyptologist Robyn Price exploring the wonder of cats in Ancient Egypt. 
    Hosted by Saskia Wilson-Brown.

    Episode premiered on Thu. March 24, 5pm PT on Lookout FM (KGAP 96.7 FM Burbank, KFQM 101.5 FM Pacific Palisades, KLDB 99.1 FM Hollywood, and online at lookout.fm ) and at 6pm PT on a podcast provider near you.

    RESEARCH
    https://www.mimimatthews.com/2016/11/10/a-scientific-justification-for-spinsters-old-maids-and-cats-in-the-victorian-era/
    https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/apr/16/claws-pop-culture-crazy-cat-lady-lonely-sexless-eccentric-stereotype-millennial-ailurophiles
    http://www.malleusmaleficarum.org/

    MUSIC

    Sneaky Samba, by Jack Pierce (PremiumBeat.com); The Lonely Road by Cool Cat Music (PremiumBeat.com); Ships in the Night (1950s Mix) by Cool Cat Music (PremiumBeat.com); Cumbia Caliente by Daniel Belardinelli (PremiumBeat.com); Good Morning Havana by Jonathan Boyle (PremiumBeat.com); 'Perfume on the Radio' theme song, by Emmitt James; 'Moonrise' by Darian Zahedi; Perfume on the Radio Interstitials by Maxwell Williams

    24 March 2022, 11:00 pm
  • 1 hour 13 minutes
    A Moveable Feast

    Mmmm… Donuts. Mmmm… Limburger Cheese? In this episode we quote Camus and Hemingway and their Moveable Feasts to explore retronasal olfaction. Specifically, how smell enhances our favorite activity: feasting on delicious things, whenever and wherever we bloody well like. 

    With:
    Maite Gomez-Rejón (ArtBites) sharing historical research into chocolate,
    Jude Stewart (author) exploring truffles
    LaVay Ullie (Ol Skool BBQ) exploring smoke, wood and BBQ
    Betty Hallock (author) connecting food and smell through language
    Miss Layla (Fum Fragrance) exploring the gourmand category
    Sean Raspet (artist) discussing his work with flavoring. 

    Episode premieres on Thu. Feb. 24, 5pm PT on Lookout FM (KGAP 96.7 FM Burbank, KFQM 101.5 FM Pacific Palisades, KLDB 99.1 FM Hollywood, and online at lookout.fm ) and at 6pm PT on a podcast provider near you.

    SONGS:
    Bosnian Swing, by Igor (PremiumBeat.com); Restaurant Sound, inestadeu49 (freesound.org); Ethiopiques by Eshi Era (PremiumBeat.com); Lazy & Drunk by RimskyMusic (PremiumBeat.com); Araguaia Samba  Brazil by Richard Canavan (PremiumBeat.com); 'Perfume on the Radio' theme song, by Emmitt James; 'Moonrise' by Darian Zahedi; Perfume on the Radio Interstitials by Maxwell Williams


    25 February 2022, 1:00 am
  • 1 hour 1 minute
    Drink and Be Merry

    It’s January and as we all recover from our New Year's Eve hangovers, we can't help but cast our thoughts towards just what, exactly, we imbibed. Do we even remember?  In our first episode of season 2, Perfume on the Radio explores the aromatic liquids that vex and sustain us.

    With:
    Gina Zupsich (August Uncommon) covering the aromatics and geopolitics of tea
    Maite Gomez-Rejón (Art Bites) exploring a historic drink from pre-conquest Mexico
    Spyros Drosopoulos (Baruti) explaining the genesis and smells of gin
    Chris Raba (Bolita) explaining the tastes of cocktails with a Cuban twist
    Rachel Dean Binder (Pomare's Stolen Perfume) sharing her work with perfume and wine

    Perfume in the Radio is a periodic radio show and podcast produced by The Institute for Art and Olfaction for lookout.fm.

    SONGS:
    Watering Place by Yanis S. Sousa, Licensed through Premium Beat, Blood Red Roses by Harpo Marks, Licensed through Premium Beat; Amo a Los Perros, by Harpo Marks, Licensed through Premium Beat; Lagrima Negra, by  Soul Driver, Licensed through Premium Beat; 'Perfume on the Radio' theme song, by Emmitt James; 'Moonrise' by Darian Zahedi; Perfume on the Radio Interstitials by Maxwell Williams

    This episode premieres on Thu. Jan. 20, 2022 at 5pm PT on Lookout FM (KGAP 96.7 FM Burbank, KFQM 101.5 FM Pacific Palisades, KLDB 99.1 FM Hollywood, and online at lookout.fm )

    21 January 2022, 2:00 am
  • 58 minutes 23 seconds
    Al Kalima is the Word

    This episode explores language and scent - more specifically, the potential relationship between the spoken word, the written word and smell in Arabic. We are joined by two people who deeply engage with the language. Oakland-based educator Dr. Gaye Walton-Price provides a brief primer on the Arabic language (and its various dialects). Dr. Walton-Price is followed by Bradford-based artist Razwan Ul-Haq, sharing his work and exploring how scent interfaces with meaning through calligraphy.

    Perfume in the Radio is a periodic radio show and podcast produced by The Institute for Art and Olfaction for lookout.fm.  

    SONGS:
    ‘The Simple Things in life’ and Paradise Lagoon licensed through PremiumBeats; 'Perfume on the Radio' theme song, by Emmitt James; 'Moonrise' by Darian Zahedi; Perfume on the Radio Interstitials by Maxwell Williams

    This episode premiered on Thu. Nov. 25, 5pm PT on Lookout FM (KGAP 96.7 FM Burbank, KFQM 101.5 FM Pacific Palisades, KLDB 99.1 FM Hollywood, and online at lookout.fm )

    23 November 2021, 3:00 pm
  • 1 hour 11 minutes
    I'll Find You My Precious

    The pleasures of the chase. The joy of the discovering. Humans LOVE a challenge - especially one with a treasure at the end of it. Good news for perfume lovers: aromatic materials can be the most challenging and enticing treasures of all. For episode 16 of Perfume on the Radio we are joined by experts in the chasing, and the uncovering, of magical botanicals, aromatics, and landscapes.

    Chris Kemp (writer, 'Floating Gold', among others) talks about ambergris, what it is, how people find it. Mason Hainey (Mizu) talks about orris root, how it's processed and what it brings to perfumery. Carlos Morera and Nina Mross (Cactus Store) talk about two very VERY sought after plants, and the impact of human desire on the environment. Matthew Teutimez (Environmental Director Kizh Nation / Gabrieleno) talks about the relationship to the land, and botany, from the Kizh Nation perspective.

    Premiered Nov. 4, 2021, 5pm PT on Lookout FM

    Songs by Emmitt James
    Hosted by Saskia Wilson-Brown

    Perfume in the Radio is produced by The Institute for Art and Olfaction for lookout.fm. Our theme music was composed by Emmitt James, Maxwell Williams and Darian Zahedi.

    SONGS:
    Back in 80s, by Denis, Licensed through premiumbeat.com; Street sounds in Montmartre, Paris, France  by Mxsmanic on freesound.org; 55 by Beatrice Dillon on openmusicarchive.org / (cc) by-sa 4.0; tvilgiat sounds-from-the-atlantic-rainforest (CC0) Courtesy of Freesound.org; Northsea.wav, by inchadney on freesound.org

    And!
    'Perfume on the Radio' theme song, by Emmitt James'Moonrise', by Darian Zahedi Interstital Music, by Maxwell Williams

    5 November 2021, 1:00 am
  • 54 minutes 6 seconds
    Uncharted Territories

    In episode 15 of Perfume on the Radio we explore some great unknowns. Three artists and one poet join us to discuss their work with places that we'll never truly know: outer space, the deep ocean, the human mind.

    GUESTS
    Audra Wolowiec - website
    Helga Griffiths - website
    Carrie Paterson - website
    Poems by Donna Lipowitz - website

    Songs by Emmitt James - website
    Hosted by Saskia Wilson-Brown

    Perfume in the Radio is produced by The Institute for Art and Olfaction for lookout.fm. Our theme music was composed by Emmitt James, Maxwell Williams and Darian Zahedi. 

    SONGS:

    Discovery - STS-26 Liftoff 
    Courtesy of NASA, public domain 

    Discovery STS-131: Sound of Launch 
    Courtesy of NASA, public domain 

    First Audio Recording of Sounds on Mars (Feb. 2021) 
    Courtesy of NASA, public domain 

    Gystav Holst I. Mars, the Bringer of War Performed by USAF Heritage of America Band 
    Courtesy of Musopen.org 

    Gystav Holst II. Venus, the Bringer of Peace Performed by USAF Heritage of America Band  
    Courtesy of Musopen.org 

    tvilgiat sounds-from-the-atlantic-rainforest (CC0) 
    Courtesy of Freesound.org

    And!
    'Perfume on the Radio' theme song
    by Emmitt James

    'Moonrise
    by Darian Zahedi 

    Other music
    by Maxwell Williams

    17 September 2021, 3:00 am
  • 1 hour 9 minutes
    Wish You Were Here

    In this episode, guest host Minetta Rogers creates a meditation on scent and the postal system: from scratch and sniff stamps to shipping mishaps, mailed expressions of  longing and nostalgia, delivery failures and post office robberies, all the frustrations and endeavors of getting a letter from point A to point B.

    GUESTS
    Jas Brooks (Academic)
    Regina Mamou and Lara Salmon from Research for the Bermuda Triangle (Artists)
    Emmitt James (Musician)
    Donna Lipowitz (Perfumer)
    Hosted by Minetta Rogers (the Institute for Art and Olfaction)

    CREDITS
    Perfume in the Radio is produced by The Institute for Art and Olfaction for lookout.fm. Our theme music was composed by Maxwell Williams and Darian Zahedi. 

    SONGS
    'Smell Good Mail' by Emmitt James
    'Morse Code Mail' by Emmitt James
    Both songs commissioned for this episode.

    'Moonrise' by Darian Zahedi
    Perfume on the Radio theme music by Maxwell Williams

    20 August 2021, 1:00 am
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