It has been exactly two years ago to the day since I started the CaFleureBon Profiles in American Perfumery (July 3, 2011). At the time, I had no idea the series would continue to grow and flourish, featuring over 60 American Olfactive Artists and Creative Directors and have its own Facebook Page. Tommorow is the Fourth of July, Independence Day and to me John "Kerosenetrewth" Pegg of House of Kerosene is a livng symbol of the grit and perserverance of the American Indie and Artisan Movement. His rise from Youtube video reviewer to a well respected perfumer who takes risks ,speaks his mind and gives 100 percent of his being to his perfumes and his clients, is an All American Story; John is self taught, had no mentors and does not live on either the East or West Coast . John Pegg sets his own bar and it is a high one as he continues to push the boundaries of what American perfumery means in the 21 st century. –Michelyn Camen, Editor-In Chief
John Pegg, Amercan Perfumer
Profile: I was born among things of steel, resins and fabric: all belonging to the structure of a Detroit-made car. My parents worked in factories, my relatives worked in factories and so I started my life in, well, a factory. I grew up close to my brother, him being a year longer than myself, always with competition in mind. That mindset to always be better than everyone was instilled deep within at an early age, from the moment we played baseball together or army out in the woods. I seemed to remember that I always won and that included our weekly fights. The number one rule of engagement: No punching in the face. We couldn't let our parents know we fought. Brothers.
John as a toddler with his mom and dad
In school, I enjoyed sports and artistic things. Mostly, I loved to draw and paint. And after school was done, I had no idea what do with my life, so I followed with what I knew. Reluctantly, I enlisted into a factory, and began building a million parts…of the same thing. Over and over and over again. It didn't take long before I worked my way up the chain and into an office and found myself doing the same work, over and over again, ordering the materials to build the parts I assembled, as a purchasing agent. My mind isn't built to do the same thing repeated. At the speed of light, I get very bored.
Throughout the factory life, I managed to stay sane by doing creative things on the side. I composed and played music. I was taught guitar and then learned bass (which I still love to play). While most people during downtime played solitaire at work, I wrote stories; a lot of them! They were mostly abstract stories with twist endings. I always wanted to outdo my last story. A few of my works were published on webzines, but my most proud accomplishment is the 1/3 of a novel about a man and his talking fork. True, it's not finished but one day…
At night after work, I would wrench on motorcycles. I love most things vintage and marvel at the mechanics of early Japanese made bikes. The early Honda's were bullet-proof reliable. The cold metal and rusty bolts felt like heaven in my fingers after typing on a computer keyboard all day. All I ever wanted to do was to do something unique, the opposite life of a factory. And then it happened. I became a perfumer. The way I attack life, is by the underlings. If I can't figure out how to cook something, build it, put it together, I don't quit until I do. I'm a bit tenacious like that. My fiancee would definitely agree.
Photo: John Pegg
I always loved smells. From fresh baked bread, to newly mowed lawn, scent has always made me stop and take notice. It's something to be savored and cherished. I think all of the five senses are equally important. They play off each other. When I walk a trail through the dewy woods, the browns and greens along with the damp aroma dance as one. I truly enjoy nature. It's what I believe defines my creativity. In Michigan, I am surrounded by beautiful things: forests, deep waters, and most of the time, puffy white clouds ballooning along a blue sky. For me, it doesn't get any more American middle class than here. I'm proud of my Midwest hospitality upbringing.
On American perfumery: From the very beginning of my work as a perfumer, I wanted one main thing to come out of creations: Uniqueness. It was never in my make-up to copy someone else, which I believe is very much an American Artisan mentality. My competitive bone simply won't allow it. When it came time to figure out how to build perfume, I got to work like I would anything else: My nose to the freaking grind. I studied and researched and experimented late into many nights. How long does this oil last on paper? How long on skin? What about these two oil combinations? What about three? That smells like crap! That smells wonderful! What I love about perfumery is that you are constantly creating something new. It was the opposite of a factory. It was more like cooking music. You have different notes on the guitar, but the song is made up of chords to make a recipe of something beautiful. A bad chord, a crap accord… .That's what being an American perfumer means to me work your tail off and love with all the freedom we have. Love until it hurts and perfume until your nose bleeds.
For the person wearing my scents, I try to let it be an experience. Most of the creations have initial blasts of a nose-punch, but they represent my personality in a way. I am 96% of the time, mild-mannered, the other 4%, bit nuts
Nirvana: Photo 1993 Anton Corjin (from left: Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic, Dave Grohl)
Favorite American Artist: Some of my favorite American bands that influenced my musical tastes like, Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Jane's Addiction, they also influenced my perfume too. Bands like these have sweet distorted harmony among their chords, yet they are rough around the edges. Like my perfumes. I like that.
–John Pegg, Founder and Perfumer of House of Kerosene
The soon to be released Dirty Flower Factory :""Flowers spiked with grit, laying next to a disheveled bed and a pair of black Doc Martens" with notes of Rose, Jasmine, Orange Blossom, Peppercorns, Chili Pepper, Sandalwood, Ambergris and Musk
Thanks to John Pegg we have a fabulous draw. For USA readers they have a choice of 15ml of his new perfume Dirty Flower Factory (which has not been released for sale yet) or a nine perfume sample set of all nine current House of Kerosene fragrances (does not include Dirty Flower Factory) and for one international reader a sample set of his nine current fragrances (R'Oud Elements,Pretty Machine, Sanatalum Slivers,Copper Skies, Unknown Pleasures, Creature, Fields of Rubus, Wood Haven and Black Vines; these link to our perfume reviews)
To be eligible, leave a detailed comment with what you find fascinating about John Pegg and your choice of either the sampler set (does not include Dirty Flower Factory) or if you are in the USA, Dirty Flower factory. Draw closes July 7, 2014
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