Swell by Brian d’Souza launches to deliver immersive sound environments for spas, as
research shows singing, listening to or playing music can improve mental wellbeing
Music psychologist, Brian d’Souza wants spas to look beyond linear sound / Swell
Singing, listening to or playing music can improve mental wellbeing and quality of life, according to a recent research review published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
The work, titled Association of music interventions with health-related quality of life, showed that the benefits to mental quality of life of experiencing music are similar to those associated with exercise or weight loss.
The review could encourage spa and wellness operators to incorporate more music into their guest journey, such as offering music-centric rituals or retreats. More: www.spabusiness.com/JAMA
Creating soundscapes for spas In other news, music psychology specialist Brian d’Souza recently launched a new business to offer transformative sound experiences to the spa, wellness and hospitality industries.
Called Swell, the company delivers bespoke music and sound solutions combining field recording, music composition, nature and sound therapy to improve relaxation while promoting positive listening habits.
d’Souza says the traditional linear listening experience can result in ‘listener fatigue’ if guests and staff hear the same music on repeat.
Swell is aiming to provide therapists with an audio solution to elevate treatments and create more immersive environments.
Supporting software platform The company designs develops and supports its own software platform and apps which enable the user to sync music selections and compositions to any kind of physical or therapeutic journey.
The Swell team has also recently partnered with Scottish spa and skincare brand ishga to create personalised treatment sequences, paired with Swell’s sound wellness concept.
Swell is an offshoot of d’Souza’s primary business – Open Ear Music, a music design delivery service creating bespoke playlists and on-brand solutions for businesses such as Google, Nike and IHG.
Open Ear recently collaborated with the Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel in Glasgow to deliver La Chambre Verte, (www.spabusiness.com/verte), Scotland’s first biophilic hotel room, inspired by forest bathing.
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year for a dose of holistic wellbeing.
Jane Kitchen spent a week at the
Mexican resort to discover how the
spirit of ‘Siempre mejor!’ or ‘Always
better!’ lives on in the 21st century
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The first aufguss sauna experience in the US has opened in Las Vegas, as Cassandra Cavanah reports
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Software that drives generational marketing can create hyper-personalised offerings, as Karen Maxwell discovers
Supplier showcase: Art of Cryo: Best of both worlds
Art of Cryo is blending its high-performance cryotherapy
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Promotion: Comfort Zone
From 2022, Comfort Zone’s products are going plastic-neutral, certified by Plastic Bank
Swell by Brian d’Souza launches to deliver immersive sound environments for spas, as
research shows singing, listening to or playing music can improve mental wellbeing
Music psychologist, Brian d’Souza wants spas to look beyond linear sound / Swell
Singing, listening to or playing music can improve mental wellbeing and quality of life, according to a recent research review published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
The work, titled Association of music interventions with health-related quality of life, showed that the benefits to mental quality of life of experiencing music are similar to those associated with exercise or weight loss.
The review could encourage spa and wellness operators to incorporate more music into their guest journey, such as offering music-centric rituals or retreats. More: www.spabusiness.com/JAMA
Creating soundscapes for spas In other news, music psychology specialist Brian d’Souza recently launched a new business to offer transformative sound experiences to the spa, wellness and hospitality industries.
Called Swell, the company delivers bespoke music and sound solutions combining field recording, music composition, nature and sound therapy to improve relaxation while promoting positive listening habits.
d’Souza says the traditional linear listening experience can result in ‘listener fatigue’ if guests and staff hear the same music on repeat.
Swell is aiming to provide therapists with an audio solution to elevate treatments and create more immersive environments.
Supporting software platform The company designs develops and supports its own software platform and apps which enable the user to sync music selections and compositions to any kind of physical or therapeutic journey.
The Swell team has also recently partnered with Scottish spa and skincare brand ishga to create personalised treatment sequences, paired with Swell’s sound wellness concept.
Swell is an offshoot of d’Souza’s primary business – Open Ear Music, a music design delivery service creating bespoke playlists and on-brand solutions for businesses such as Google, Nike and IHG.
Open Ear recently collaborated with the Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel in Glasgow to deliver La Chambre Verte, (www.spabusiness.com/verte), Scotland’s first biophilic hotel room, inspired by forest bathing.
Spa People: Zoe Wall
Zoe Wall talks about driving the global spa and wellness agenda at Kerzner
New opening: Healing oasis
Zoya, a new integrative health and wellbeing retreat, is opening in the Middle East, as Megan Whitby reports
Interview: Deborah Szekely
As the 'godmother of spa' approaches her 100th birthday, Jan Kitchen travelled to Rancho La Puerta to find out more about her extraordinary life
First Person: Siempre Mejor!
After 82 years, Rancho La Puerta is
still beloved among guests around
the world, who return year after
year for a dose of holistic wellbeing.
Jane Kitchen spent a week at the
Mexican resort to discover how the
spirit of ‘Siempre mejor!’ or ‘Always
better!’ lives on in the 21st century
Sponsored: Phytomer: Celebrating the sea
The story surrounding Phytomer is one of a unique wellness vision, a loyal family, remarkable marine science and pioneering skincare. We talk to deputy general manager Mathilde Gédouin-Lagarde as the company celebrates its 50th anniversary
GWS: Boston strong
If you missed the GWS – or even if you were there – Jane Kitchen's detailed report will give you endless useful actionable insights
Promotion: Yon-ka: Plant power
Benefiting from its founders’ passion for plants, Yon-Ka’s new brand identity reflects its past and its continued research into the healing power of plants which enables the company to craft innovative formulas that deliver results
First person: Paradise at Preidlhof
Lisa Starr travelled to Italy to interview Patrizia Bortolin for Spa Business and experience all that Preidlhof has to offer
Q&A: Patrizia Bortolin
Lisa Starr talks to the award winning visionary
who’s injecting new vigour into Preidlhof
Promotion: Reconnect with ISPA
After a two-year absence, ISPA’s annual Conference offers its
members an opportunity to reconnect and to learn more about
the available tools that can help them recharge their businesses
Q&A: Daniele Vastolo
Chiva-Som has opened a major new property in Qatar, with treatments focused on Traditional Arabic and Islamic Medicine. We talk to the GM
Research: Human nature
Anne Dimon reports on the latest research insights from the Wellness Tourism Association
Saunas: Aufguss
The first aufguss sauna experience in the US has opened in Las Vegas, as Cassandra Cavanah reports
Software: Getting (Hyper) personal
Software that drives generational marketing can create hyper-personalised offerings, as Karen Maxwell discovers
Supplier showcase: Art of Cryo: Best of both worlds
Art of Cryo is blending its high-performance cryotherapy
solutions with intermittent vacuum therapy to offer a
complete and effective whole-body wellness experience
Promotion: Comfort Zone
From 2022, Comfort Zone’s products are going plastic-neutral, certified by Plastic Bank
OMA has completed a major transformation of New York's New Museum, creating a larger
cultural campus that combines expanded exhibition spaces with learning, performance,
hospitality and public programming.
A US$50 million (£44.2 million, €51.2 million) transformation of Chicago's historic McCormick
Mansion has created a new destination that combines live magic, immersive theatre, dining and
private membership under one roof.
The Montana Historical Society has officially celebrated the opening of its new Montana
Heritage
Center, a US$107 million (£79 million, €92 million) destination that combines immersive
storytelling with cutting-edge audiovisual technology to bring the sta
San Antonio Zoo has reported a US$283 million economic impact for 2025, following a decade-
long transformation programme that has seen almost US$200 million invested into the Texas
attraction.
Plans for the AU$180 million redevelopment of Reef HQ Aquarium in Townsville, Australia, are
progressing, with the project set to transform the attraction into a global centre for reef
education and conservation.
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed
€1 billion
offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the
continental European Center Parcs business.
Disney has reaffirmed its commitment to investing US$30 billion in its US parks and cruise
business by 2033, using new America250 celebrations to underline the role its attractions play
in supporting jobs, tourism and economic growth.
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers
confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor,
creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme
that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi-
day destination.
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