D.S. & Durga Rockaway Beach courtesy the brand
It is the start of summer (Northern Hemisphere) and there’s no time like the present to update your fragrance wardrobe to reflect the seasonal change. Put away dark and mysterious; it’s time to for light and bright.
Rockaway Beach 1970s via wiki
Rockaway Beach, located in Queens (NY), is a broad, sandy beach with a 6-mile-long boardwalk that attracts crowds in the summer for swimming, sunbathing, and sports like volleyball and skateboarding. Surfers catch year-round breaks here. The pastel-colored condos and houses that line the streets throw off a 1960s-style vibe.
The Ramones Rocket to Russia album cover via wiki
The Ramones released ‘Rockaway Beach’ from their third album, Rocket to Russia in 1977. The song is a homage to the West Coast surf culture and was the Ramones’ highest-charting single of their career, peaking at #66 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Up on the roof, out on the street
Down in the playground, the hot concrete
Bus ride is too slow
They blast out the disco on the radio
Rock-rock, Rockaway Beach
Rock-rock, Rockaway Beach
Rock-rock, Rockaway Beach
We can hitch a ride to Rockaway Beach
Notables born in Rockaway Beach include punk rocker-poet Patti Smith, Andrew Van Wyngarden (MGMT), and Kenny Vance (Jay and the Americans). Patti Smith wrote about living in Rockaway Beach in her 2015 memoir, M Train. Woody Allen filmed Radio Days (1987) here.
Kavi and David Seth Moltz, Founders of D.S. & Durga
Music has always been a big part of D.S.& Durgas’ DNA. A Spotify Playlist of over fifty songs testifies to that. David has curated a Spotify playlist specifically for Rockaway Beach. Summer songs like summer fragrances can be enjoyed year-round but they really click best in the season.Don’t expect any Beach Boys. But where are the Cramps, David? Now let’s get to D.S. & Durga Rockaway Beach the perfume, composed by David Seth Moltz. As you can imagine this is an aquatic one. Let me come straight out and say it, I’m not a fan of aquatic fragrances which is odd since I am a Pisces, go figure. Why you ask? Because many smells like sun tan lotion =inexpensive. If you want to smell like sun tan lotion wear sun tan lotion! It’s cheaper. For me,while they never offend, they are unlikely to wow either. Unlike Jazmin Yucatan, where the aquatic is hidden in the jungle, this is D.S. & Durga’s first full-on Aquatic (to me it’s more Marine, but more on that later).
D.S. & Durga Rockaway Beach speaks to the quality of the compositions. Not one for safe, his scents make you think and react, and this one certainly does, and not always in a good way. Polarizing scent. And that’s the way it should be. And don’t expect that phony suntan lotion that other hoist. Here it is muted because punks don’t smell like poseurs.
We are not in St. Tropez or St. Barts. No clear and blue ocean water here. This is dark, dirty, and dangerous. You just don’t know what’s next to you. Rockaway Beach is no seaside vacation. The Ramones don’t sing about that nor does David Seth Moltz’s fragrance take you to a fancy beach resort. Don’t let your guard down. This is a kick in the ass stay alert scent.
What’s causing that you might ask? It could be the salt flowering privet. Or maybe the lactonic note that verges on being spoiled? The sea salt hits as it feels on an open wound. And while the white floral lurks about it does not pretty it up. Same with the musk, the dangerous ocean overtakes it. More sea salt.
Rockaway Beach is certainly more marine than aquatic. What’s the difference you may ask? Aquatic is freshwater, marine is sea. Rockaway Beach is not for the faint of heart, but it dares you to wear it. So how wearable is it? Are you a punk or…?
TOP NOTES Ocean air sun tan lotion; HEART NOTES salt flowering privet; BASE NOTES skin musk hedges
Main accords: marine, white floral, aromatic, salty, coconut, lactonic, aquatic, musky, fresh, spicy
Disclaimer: Samples of Rockaway Beach were sent to me by D.S. & Durga. My opinions are mine and only mine!
D.S. & Durga Los Angeles Store on Abbot Kinney Boulevard (courtesy of the brand)
Announcement: D.S. and Durga have just opened their first LA store in Venice Beach and the first outside of NYC. Surf Up! Congrats David and Kavi! I’ll be out there this summer.
Hernando Courtright, Senior Events Contributor and Brand Ambassador
D.S. & Durga Rockaway Beach
Thanks to the generosity of D.S.& Durga we have a 50 ml/ 1.7 fl oz. of Rockaway Beach for a USA draw for one registered reader. You must register here. To be eligible please leave a comment on what you enjoyed about Hernando’s review of D.S. and Durga Rockaway Beach. The draw closes on 06/26/2023 and the winner will be announced within 10 days later.
Please read David Seth Moltz’s profile in American Perfumery here and WE LOVE THIS STORE D.S. & Durga on 255 Mulberry Street here
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