Jay Som

Jay Som

Jay Som is the recording project of Melina Duterte, a songwriter and producer from Walnut Creek, United States, who is associated with dream pop and indie rock. Duterte is the daughter of Filipino immigrants and grows up playing trumpet. She first plans to attend a conservatory programme for jazz, but instead turns to songwriting.

Early work and recording process

After enrolling in community college and studying music production and recording, Duterte begins making music in her bedroom studio and self-releases material under the name Jay Som. She performs all the music on her records herself and records in her own makeshift bedroom studio. Her work is closely tied to DIY bedroom recording and self-production.

Releases

In November 2015, she puts nine tracks online under the title Untitled as demos, but they draw attention and are later reissued as Turn Into. The album is released through Top Shelf and then Polyvinyl in 2016, and Polyvinyl also releases it under Duterte’s name in the wider press. Turn Into receives strong critical attention, including an 8.2 rating from Pitchfork. The next Jay Som album, Everybody Works, appears in 2017 on Polyvinyl and Double Denim Records, and the song “1 Billion Dogs” is issued beforehand.

Reception and profile

After the success of Turn Into, Jay Som opens for Peter Bjorn and John, Mitski and Japanese Breakfast. Duterte is also featured by Pitchfork, NPR and Rookie Magazine.