Raw Notes - What I Learned from Bruce Springsteen

Raw Notes - What I Learned from Bruce Springsteen

From The Perfume Making Podcast by Karen Gilbert

November 2, 2025 · 17 min · Episode 119

About this episode

Karen discusses the beauty of imperfection in creativity, inspired by a Bruce Springsteen film.

Karen recently went to the cinema, something she doesn’t do very often. However, on this one-off trip to see the new Bruce Springsteen film, something resonated with her. We often chase perfection, either from our own standards or from what we assume others expect from us, but sometimes, the real beauty lies in imperfection. In this week's episode, Karen is here to talk about how the thing you create might be more successful if you just let go and be true to yourself. KEY TAKEAWAYS One of the main storylines of the new Springsteen film is how the record he created sounded raw and unfinished, but how that sound added to the beauty of it. Karen describes how you can apply this working method to your perfume creation. Karen tells the story of Mark Buxton and how creating an accord based on the markets of Marrakech ended up launching a perfume brand. A lot of indie perfumers try to replicate the big commercial brands, but, as Karen points out, they are not your competition. Karen shares what really matters when creating your fragrances. BEST MOMENTS “Sometimes that raw first version might be exactly what it needs to be.” “If you try to make something more commercial, you're in danger…

People in this episode

Host: Karen Gilbert

Topics covered

  • perfection
  • imperfection
  • creativity
  • perfume making
  • indie perfumers

Keywords

  • perfection
  • imperfection
  • Bruce Springsteen
  • perfume creation
  • indie perfumers

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Bruce Springsteen film

Places: Marrakech

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