Jay Som
The rapid rise of DIY pop’s new leader—Jay Som, the vision of the Bay Area’s Melina Duterte; photographed by Polaroid Jay.
It all began with a single called “Forget About It Kid”, a teenage dream-pop symphony that was picked up by Beech Coma and heard around the world. And from here the entire international music media erupted into excitement, adoration and intrigue, praising the Bay Area artist Melina Duterte who performs under moniker Jay Som. Also a member of the buzz band Summer Peaks, Melina would release the definitive solo statement with the anticipated and beloved album Turn Into (initially called Untitled described by Melina as “finished and unfinished songs written and recorded from March 2014 to November 2015,” and later released on cassette via Topshelf Records) that was released out of the blue on Bandcamp during Thanksgiving weekend, 2015.
Today it is with great joy that we announce the latest chapter with news that Jay Som’s I Think You’re Alright 7” b/w “Rush” is available now from Fat Possum Records. With the following premiere of the a-side, we return to Duterte’s sonic audio fields where introspection of items pertaining to the human condition and connection are illustrated through aspects of emotion and though that resound like a late phone call confessional of the most devastating order. With word of Jay Som’s North America tour with Mitski and Japanese Breakfast happening this summer; Melina’s brilliant brand of heart striking pop prepares to find an even larger and eager audience that has been awaiting more since the release of her first solo single.
“I Think You’re Alright” picks up where Melina’s debut album Turn Into left off where the feelings of pensive reflection rise forth from the wellsprings of thoughts conveyed through chords of pure universally understood emotion. The song is built on the foundation of high pitched party-talk vocal samples and a steady drum beat that begins an odyssey of desires, wishes, wants, and more that all revolve around the most heartbreaking of incomplete connections. “When I wake up in the morning, I’ll make you some coffee, we’ll lay about and let the day pass,” Melina begins in a lyrical poetic-prose reminiscent of T.S. Eliot’s “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” catapulted forward for the post-millennial age. “I’ll wipe your blood off the concrete, take you to the party, we’ll drink until our brains black out. Oh god you’re so pretty, you’re smile’s unforgiving, I’ll place it where nobody can find. I’ll play all your favorite songs and shake when the lights go off and hide us in the warm night…” The chorus recitation of the title describes the romantic subject as being just “alright”, as every chord & note hinges on even greater unseen/unheard subtext and underlying feelings at work. These complicated sentiments are later expressed through some of the most heartbreaking lines like “I’ll be your old broken TV, your stuttering baby, your puppy when nobody’s home. I’ll be your cigarette ash tray, come back when it’s too late…” The brutal romantic nature exhibits the aftermath of leftover feelings that still remain in the reckoning of a relationship that has set sail for new harbors. Melina illustrates those moments and notions that meanwhile still flourish in ways that are not cut and dry, where the desire to make it work and those ideas of self-sacrifice and compromise still ruminate long after the fact. We explored these concepts further, along with news of Jay Som becoming expanded into a full-fledged band in our following latest interview with Melina Duterte.
From all the singles leading up to the much beloved Untitled album last year to your work now—tell us about how Jay Som has further expanded into a collaborative band.
The full live band is fairly new and all of them are my closest friends I’ve been playing with for years. We got together in January so we’re still figuring out how the music translates in a live setting. They’re all wonderful musicians that bring their own sound and ideas to the table. Dylan, Daniel, Oliver, and Zach are the best and I love them with all of my heart.
You have been playing and hanging with all the whose who of cool lately…any cool stories or collaborations of late?
All of the shows and bands we’ve played with so far have been amazing! A big pet peeve of mine at shows is the cool guy attitude, luckily most people—audience and band members—are supportive and respectful.
Cool stories? I don’t know—last month we traveled to LA to play this unorganized festival for 15 minutes.
Meet Jay Som, aka Melina Duterte, of Summer Peaks, photographed by Austin Cook.
What are you most excited for with your upcoming dream team tour with Mitski & Japanese Breakfast?
I’m extremely nervous for the tour, mostly excited to see both of them perform. I know it’s across North American and we’ll be traveling to all these awesome cities, but I deeply admire them both as artists. I’m going to watch 20+ free Japanese Breakfast and Mitski shows. Also, I’m still reeling over how important and rare it is to be in a lineup that consists of Asian American women. I never thought I’d be able to see it, let alone be a part of it.
Incredible to hear that Fat Possum is putting out the cult singles “I Think You’re Alright” & “Rush”. I love how “Alright” has this whole hopeful, doting, soft stream of feeling lyrics while “Rush” sounds like some of your latest sonic directions. Thoughts on the making of both of these tracks?
Yeah, I’m a big fan of the music Fat Possum puts out and they’re super nice! This 7″ is funny to me because it has my favorite and least favorite song I’ve written. “I Think You’re Alright” is a very personal song. I wanted to write about giving your all to someone you shouldn’t – it’s basically a cheesy I Love You song, but I want people to feel any sort of connection to it. I have mixed feelings about “Rush” because I wrote it for myself and it was a fast writing process that was ultimately just fun to make.
7″ single cover for “I Think You’re Alright”, b/w “Rush”.
What can you tell us about what you’re recording right now, what it sounds like, and what other new creative developments that we should know about?
Most of the songs on Turn Into were written when I was 19 and 20, so it was a different period of my life. I can’t listen to it without cringing or finding flaws in my songwriting, musicianship, and recording/mixing techniques. I currently have most of the demos done for the next album. It will be different but not in a crazy way—I’ve had time to focus on honing my writing and musical skills. I’m experimenting with the way I approach structure and arrangements so I think it will show maturity. I’ve also picked up the trumpet and other instruments again after stopping 3 years ago, so I’m super excited to play around with that!
Other artists & bands you want to recognize that the whole world should be hipped to?
Mal Devisa, Kiid
Plush, Please EP, they are the sweetest people on earth
Faith Healer, Cosmic Troubles
Sonny & The Sunsets, Antenna To The Afterward
Happyness, Weird Little Birthday
Finally, Carly Rae Jepsen’s new album Emotion has been on repeat I love her!
What are you stoked about for this summer & fall?
Besides tour, I’m excited to come back home after to work on the next record. I also want to do more karaoke.
What’s good with Summer Peaks right now?
We finally finished our album Color In The Shade and it will be released June 8!
Jay Som plans for 2016/2017?
Without getting into too many details—I’m joining a record label I’m happy to call a home and we’re going to re-release Turn Into. There will be new music and touring in the fall and next year. It’s going to be busy but I’m incredibly excited.
Jay Som’s I Think You’re Alright limited edition 7” b/w “Rush” is available now from Fat Possum Records in both baby blue and black vinyl.
