Jay Som, indie-rock’s secret weapon, reflects on a guitar with history, boygenius, and memorable experiences.
Melina Duterte, known as Jay Som, is a notable musician in the indie-rock scene. Working on numerous collaborations like Doomin’ Sun with Palehound and boygenius during the 2023 The Record cycle, Duterte has collaborated with various artists. Reflecting on her time with boygenius, where she mainly played bass and did additional production work at Rick Rubin’s Shangri-La studios in Malibu, she fondly recalls the unique studio setup with studio A and the studio B housed in a converted Bob Dylan tour bus.
Currently, Duterte is working on her album Belong, marking her return as Jay Som after a hiatus since 2019. Her creative journey has also seen her collaborating with artists like Aussie songwriter Hatchie in her LA-based studio. Duterte appreciates the dynamic experiences she has had with different artists over the years.
A versatile multi-instrumentalist, Duterte’s musical background includes playing the trumpet for nine years and studying music theory. She received a nylon guitar as a birthday gift when she turned eight, which eventually led her to pursue songwriting. Despite her trumpet background taking precedence for some time due to the influence of her music teachers, Duterte found a way to apply her skills to guitar by learning from online tabs, as reading sheet music for guitar remained a challenge.
Reflecting on her musical journey, Duterte shares that her passion for rock music was sparked by artists like Karen O and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, particularly enthralled by the “Maps” music video. Inspired by her desire to become a rock star, Duterte uploaded tracks to Bandcamp in 2015, leading to the release of Turn Into by Topshelf. Subsequently signing with Polyvinyl and touring with Mitski and Japanese Breakfast, Duterte acknowledges the significance of those early tours and the importance of taking risks in her career at a young age.
A key aspect of Duterte’s creative process is her home studio, where she recorded and produced much of her music. The concept for Belong began to take shape in her home studio setup after her roommate moved out, allowing her to expand her space for recording. Using a snake to connect preamps and microphones and the living room as a live room, Duterte has created a comfortable and efficient working environment to bring her musical vision to life.
As Duterte continues to navigate the indie-rock scene, her experiences with collaborators and personal heroes like Hayley Williams and Jim Adkins have shaped her artistic journey. With Belong marking her return to the spotlight, Melina Duterte, known as Jay Som, remains a unique and influential figure in the music industry, blending musicality and creativity in compelling ways.