Journey to the unknown world ahead with our guest playlist, curated for NOTO Botanics by Sigil founder and perfumer, Patrick Kelly.
What do you call your playlist ?
The Unknown World: A NOTO Guest Playlist By Patrick Kelly, Sigil Founder
Primal bliss (and ignorance) erupt from the start on ceo’s “Mirage.” Effervescent pop joy—with tracks from Empress Of and Emilíana Torrini—dissolves into a harsh new, melancholic reality with the grinding, ambient introspection of Brian Eno.
The story is bisected by a quiet pause with Cat’s Eyes, before Chelsea Wolfe, Choir Boy, and Sudan Archives resurrect the darkness. A glimmer of hope shines through at the end of a long, bleak tunnel with Bauhaus pop side projects and the pleading, earnest cries of the incomparable Yoko Ono, begging for brighter days ahead: “You who are / You who are / Help me out, help me out / Help me out of here / I’m…”
Answer the call, work through your arc, and let yourself feel all the feels as we navigate this challenging time together.
I am Patrick Kelly, Sigil founder and perfumer. I am a self-taught perfumer driven by the power of my own scent memories—orange blossoms floating on a warm breeze, hot sage unfurling in the California sun. To capture these moments, I began educating myself in old world perfumery practices and inventing my own custom tinctures. Inspired by the magic of plants, I build scents that are mystical yet born of the physical earth.
It’s been high highs and low lows, but I’m learning to honor the range of feelings without judgment. We’ve always been a values-first brand, so this has offered an opportunity to really home in on the most important aspects of what we can offer the world—to do good in business, in service and stewardship to others and the earth.
If your playlist was one NOTO product, which one would It be and why?
If you could describe your playlist in one word, what would It be?
Oroboros.
What was your inspiration behind your selection?
I wanted to start with songs that were effervescent, disillusioned, and bright before transitioning into a more quiet, contemplative zone, then bursting back with some glimmers of optimism and yearning toward the end. The range of songs reflects the spectrum of emotions I’ve been feeling across the last month and a half.
If your playlist was a color what would It be?
Pale, vibrating mint green.
What do you want the listener to feel when they press play?
Perhaps a call to feel more deeply, and a denouement of resolved confidence. A catharsis.