Biography
Jay Som is the stage name of Melina Duterte, an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer from the California Bay Area. She grew up in Pleasanton and Brentwood, the child of Filipino immigrants, and began writing and recording music around age twelve.[1] The name came from an online baby name generator.[1]
After studying music production at community college, Duterte recorded in her bedroom and posted a set of demos to Bandcamp in 2015. They were reissued as Turn Into in 2016, which led to a deal with Polyvinyl.[2] Her second album, Everybody Works, followed in March 2017 and was widely acclaimed, with her producing it herself at home in Oakland.[3] Later work includes Anak Ko (2019) and Belong (2025), plus the duo Bachelor with Ellen Kempner of Palehound and a stint as bassist on tour with Boygenius in 2023.[1]
Her music is usually described as bedroom pop and dream pop. She has cited Yo La Tengo, Phil Elverum, Carly Rae Jepsen and Alanis Morissette among her influences.[1]
References
- Wikipedia: Jay Som — Biography, discography and influences
- Stereogum: Artist to Watch, Jay Som — Early career and the Turn Into reissue
- Wikipedia: Everybody Works — Album release and reception