We visited David Moltz, co-founder of D.S. & Durga, at his Brooklyn Navy Yards office to discuss his passion for fragrances, music and more.
1) How did you learn your craft? Who did you learn from?
Most everything related to fragrances is self taught. I’ve gleaned it from old books, experimentation, and universal inspiration.
2) D.S. & Durga fragrances are based on far-flung places and sometimes imaginary ideas. What comes first, the idea or the scent?
I find I often work both ways. I have a million ideas and when the stars align they become a DSD fragrance.
3) What do you mean when you say "perfume is armchair travel"?
Perfume has the ability to take you to other places in your mind. Your nose triggers the journey to places real and fictional.
4) How do you source your materials? What do you look for? What makes them special?
A material is like the paint on your palette - they each have their special purpose. The ones that are most special help create space for other notes to sing without jamming into other strong notes. I work with people who have been sourcing these rare materials since modern perfume began.
5) You've got an impressive record collection! Can you tell us your top 5 records?
That's pretty tough!
- Mahler 9 - Abranavel utah symphony orchestra (not as timeless as the Bruno Walter, or others but it's so perfect).
- Muddy Waters Folk Singer - so soulful
- Popol Vuh - Tantric songs - tearfully moving
- Steve Reich - drumming - part three is the business
- Public Enemy - Fear of a Black Planet. Non stop armageddon stuff
6) With your fragrances and candles made in New York, there's a clear emphasis on American manufacturing. What inspired this choice to have a fully American Made product?
We started this when everyone wanted to pretend we lived in the 19th century. We wanted that small cottage industry principle. I love that I can drive to the Bronx to where our stuff is made if I need to check on something.
7) You collaborate with your wife on all design aspects of your products, can you tell us a bit about that dynamic?
We collaborate in the sense that I handle the scents and she does all the designs. I give my 2 cents, but all design is ultimately up to her. I stick to fragrance and words. We stay in our lanes but lend each other support.
8) Can you describe your own personal style? Do you have a standard "uniform"?
Well I'm drawn to loud patterns, but that has evolved as my body has changed. I realize I don't always look good in what I like off-the-rack. I'm an Irish Boston kid who used to skate, a dad, and I like Peaky Blinders. I also run warm, so I dress for coolness in the summer (thin Indian cotton pants and a t-shirt).
9) You've mentioned your interest in sensory experiences, can you tell us about some other areas you experience this?
I have something like synesthesia. I can very easily translate ideas from music to color to cooking to drawing to words. They are different languages that can tell the same story.
10) What are your interests outside of fragrances?
Music, poetry, books, plants, people, tea, pipe tobacco, finding the right thing to do at the right time.
TA - You talked a lot about pipe smoking during our visit. What do you like about it?
I think Pipe tobacco is one the most advanced flavor profiles on earth. With just a few varieties, pipe tobacco blenders are able to form invisible worlds that come alive on your pallet. Not sure how healthy it is though! So maybe I should stick to food.
