The topic of grief is huge. As is love. Intertwining both is a sense of longing. Tackling these topics requires many experiences and expressions of self exploration.

There is no one that I would like to embark on this topic more than Nuri McBride - perfumer, community educator, and writer. Nuri explores the intersection of olfaction and death rituals at the Death/Scent project, writes about fragrance history in her monthly newsletter, Aromatica de Profundis. As well as being co-editor of the community-focus scent culture journal Alabastron, the first edition of which is now available if you would like to find yourself a copy. Nuri was also program curator for the Scent & Society lecture series at the Institute for Art and Olfaction. This is part 1 of a long and winding conversation that covers what it’s like to be a perfumer, some of the trials and tribulations of the industry, as well as the important role that scent can play in rituals that help us process emotions around loss and longing

Fragrances mentioned:

Kouros - Yves Saint Laurent

Attendre & Espérer - P.Frapin & Cie

Fig Porn - Born to Stand Out

Steamed Rainbow - DS & Durga

Books mentioned:

The Foul and the Fragrant - Alain Corbin

Carmilla - Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu

Annihilation - Jeff VanderMeer

The Ballad of Black Tom - Victor LaValle

Find Nuri McBride on Instagram or on their website.

Theme music for the show was created by Raul Sanchez I Jorge. Check out his solo work on Wild Animal Records

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