International DJ launches Swell, sound wellness

Following his collaboration with La Rue Verte at Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel and Spa in Glasgow, award-winning DJ Brian d’Souza of music strategy developer Open Ear discusses his new sound-based programme, called Swell.

Tell us how Swell developed

For the past 15 years, Swell’s parent company, Open Ear, has worked with thousands of hospitality and leisure companies, many of which were hotels with a spa offering. The music used in the spa was often an afterthought: laughed off as ‘whale sounds, tolerated as generic ‘spa music’ and delivered via very basic loudspeaker set-ups, leading to an underwhelming sonic experience.

Swell was created as a response to this, to help elevate the sound within spa and wellness environments and allow it to become a positive sensory experience for customers and therapists alike.

How do spas go about using the service?

Swell is available as a mobile or browser app with a monthly subscription. We know that every spa has different requirements, so we offer a free consultation to help get spas optimised for sound and to tailor an audio experience that will really enhance their spaces and treatments.

What is special about the sonic experience that Swell provides?

We’ve spent years developing a novel approach to how sound can be created for the spa environment, bringing together the psychology of music, sound therapy techniques, healing sounds from the natural environment and award-winning music composition to offer a range of signature Swell sound treatments. These are tailored to match the type of protocol and also the product being used.

What can Swell add to treatment menus?

Swell introduces the potential for a new range of sound treatments, delivered with or without a therapist, adding fresh revenue streams. These are therapeutic sound experiences similar to a sound bath or gong bath, developed by the Swell team to work in headphones and mixed in Dolby Atmos surround sound, delivering a deep relaxation experience.

Which spas are partnering with Swell?

We’re about to launch with IHG UK spas – in Scotland at Kimpton Blythswood Square in Glasgow and Kimpton Charlotte Square in Edinburgh, which will have its own dedicated Swell Room; and voco St David’s in Cardiff, Wales. We will also be launching with Coworth Park, UK, part of the Dorchester Collection, in April.

In addition, we are partnering with ishga to develop bespoke massage treatments. This has involved a trip to the Hebrides to record a unique sense of its products, using cleansing water sounds and traditional instruments to make a range of therapeutic experiences to be rolled out across its partner spas. www.swellstudio.io