B (3:29)

I've gotta have it oh.

B (3:35)

I'm on my hands and knees I'm more my hands and knees I'm on my hands and knees I'm on my hands and knees I'm on my hands and knees I'm better in this Just give me the key.

B (4:01)

Just let me be.

A (4:12)

That that was Casino Stars by J Psalm. So, Melinda, would you introduce us to everybody in the band?

C (4:20)

Yes, I can. Over here we have Joo. He plays guitar. And then Aubrey, she plays bass. Carrie is on lead guitar. And Eric is on drums.

A (4:32)

All right, we got everybody taken care of. So this album, it's been six years since your last time you were here. Yeah, that was a long time ago.

A (4:42)

When did this album start to take shape?

C (4:44)

Belong. It kind of took shape a couple years ago, but I would say it mostly took shape this year. So, like, the beginning of this year went to Philly. Worked a lot with Joao in LA as well. He was a co producer on this record. And it kind of was finalized within the mixing process as well until we turned it in. So happened kind of fast this year.

A (5:08)

You actually told Interview magazine that there was a couple of failed attempts.

C (5:12)

Yes.

A (5:12)

At this. What was going on in those attempts?

C (5:16)

I think what was going on is I felt a little burnt out from touring. I was doing it for five years straight. And I think as an indie musician, it is pretty hard to tour, especially right now. I mean, even back then. And I kind of wanted to just see what it would feel like to be a musician without touring and production and engineering and session work is kind of a really awesome alternative to. Yeah. Experience.

A (5:44)

Over the last few years, you've gotten really serious about production and engineering, working on albums. Like we said with Boy Genius, was that a turn that you expected in your career or did just. Did it just happen?

C (5:59)

Yeah, I didn't expect it and it also felt like it happened. But, I mean, I was kind of working hard in teaching myself things and annoying all of my friends. Like what? Just engineer friends? Just like, hey, how do you plug this into this? And what do you do here? And I was on forums and I was basically in YouTube University just watching videos all day long.

A (6:20)

What was something that you really wanted to learn how to do?

C (6:22)

I really wanted to learn how to work on a console because I really wanted to learn how to walk into studios and patch things in without having to ask people. Yeah.

A (6:33)

Yeah.

C (6:34)

It was really inspiring to get into the studio with Boy Genius because Kathryn Marks was the main producer and she's really cool and inspiring to watch. Yeah.

A (6:44)

How much has the success of being part of that Boy Genius album.

A (6:50)

Change with the way that people approach you about engineering, about producing?

C (6:55)

Yeah, I mean, it's all been pretty positive. You know, I did a lot of additional production on that and played bass. And I think everything Boy Genius related, like that universe is just really special. And I think the way that Lucy, Julian and Phoebe write songs is so personal and vulnerable, and people relate to that and to be a part of that is really cool. And, you know, I have a lot of conversations with, like, their fans that come to the shows and, you know, they come and say, like, I saw you with Boy Genius a couple Years ago. And they. They have been to the. Our shows for the first time. So.

A (7:35)

Yeah, it's interesting because in an article you wrote that you need, like, a hunger when you're in the studio.

C (7:42)

Yeah. Oh, I think I meant, like, I feel hungry in the studio.

A (7:45)

You actually feel hungry. You literally, I need a snack.

C (7:50)

Literally. Yeah. Because I feel like. No, literally, Allison. Like, sometimes people don't eat in the studio and they get, like, hangry. And sometimes as a producer, you need to be like, you need to eat.

A (8:00)

I love that.

C (8:01)

Yeah.

A (8:02)

What's your snack of choice?

C (8:04)

My snack of choice?

C (8:08)

I. I'm gonna say it. I really love hot cheetos. I'm trying not to have that ever again, but it happens. Yeah.

A (8:16)

All right, my guest.

A (8:19)

My guest is Melena Duterte. We are talking about AKA JSON. That's how she performed with her band. We're hearing music from their latest album, Belong. By the way, they're playing in Warsaw tomorrow night. Am I saying your first name correctly?

C (8:32)

It's Melina. But it's okay. It's okay.

A (8:35)

Melina. Yeah. Molina. Yeah, I got it. Molina. Let's hear our next song. What are we gonna hear, Melina?

C (8:43)

We're gonna play Appointments.

B (10:09)

You change your mind? Wanted to feel.

B (10:15)

Something Enough.

B (10:19)

Blame on your tongue you coughing it up Bags on the sidewalk thought she would dumb.

B (10:34)

Don't call.

B (10:41)

Don't crawl.

B (10:47)

You said Sam.

B (11:20)

Missed your appointment. Head on my lap change your phone background you're smiling again I wanted to see you I wanted to cry I wanted to let myself live in a high I don't have the reasons I don't wanna.

B (11:51)

I don't wanna try I don't wanna try.

B (12:00)

Don't come.

B (12:06)

Don't cry.

B (12:25)

Don't.

B (12:58)

I fell in love it's like a glove holding the grains you quicken the sun I don't wanna cry I don't wanna cry I don't wanna cry I don't wanna cry.

A (13:26)

That was Appointments by Jay Psalm. So that song is. It's about a relationship, right?

C (13:34)

Yes. Yes.

A (13:35)

What kind of relationship?

C (13:36)

Usually it is. I feel like, especially with this album, I've been writing a lot about platonic relationships more than romantic relationships. And I think sometimes we have those friendships that border on, like, what is this? What's going on? There's too much going on between us. There's tension or, you know, this person's asking for too much. Maybe I'm asking for too much and the lines get blurred for, you know, expectations and boundaries.

A (14:08)

Were you working through something personally when.

C (14:10)

You Were writing this probably like I usually am.

A (14:14)

We'll have more with JSOM after a quick break. This is all of It.

A (14:29)

You're listening to all of it. Hey, pipe down.

A (14:34)

Is that you?

A (14:37)

Oh, it's you. Oh, hi. You're listening to all of it on wnyc. I'm Alison Stewart. Joining me in studio is Malina Duterte, AKA jsalm, and her band. We're hearing some music from her latest album, Belong. They'll be playing at Warsaw tomorrow night. There are a number of collaborations on your new record, Belong. Did you go into this album knowing you were going to collaborate?

C (15:02)

I did, yeah. Yeah. I usually work by myself, and I kind of wanted to try something else.

A (15:08)

Why did you want to try something else?

C (15:09)

Because I think working by yourself is really hard. I think you're stuck in this echo chamber of your own emotions and decisions, and working with people gets you out of that. It also offers new ideas and things you just could never get to. I don't know. Yeah.

A (15:27)

Did you learn anything that's really useful to you that you think maybe I'll even use on my next solo album?

C (15:32)

Oh. Oh, you know what? Let's see. Maybe not overthinking certain things, like the tone of something and just first take is best take. First or second take, I think is always the best. Yeah. Oh.

A (15:49)

Were you the kind of person who wanted to do it again and again? Again?

C (15:52)

Yeah. Well, because you strive for perfection in the studio sometimes, right? Like, you think that you're gonna get your best take after the 10th one, but usually it's not the case. Yeah.

A (16:04)

Jim Adkins is on your record. What was the inspiration for getting Jimmy Eat World on the album?

C (16:09)

I love Jimmy Eat World. Bleed American is one of my favorite records of all time, and my brother and I used to listen to that record all the time on our boombox cd, and I just thought it'd be so fun to have someone singing on this. And I kept hearing his voice, and my lovely manager Susan made the connection, and Jim and I talked on the phone and he just remotely recorded vocals.

A (16:35)

He did it remotely?

C (16:36)

Yeah. In Arizona. What was that like? It was awesome. We just talked on the phone and we were, like, texting about gear, and he's a super, super nice guy.

A (16:44)

Have you had a chance to meet him in person yet?

C (16:46)

No, I would like to, but we're playing with Jamie 8 World next year.

A (16:50)

So you will get to meet him.

B (16:51)

Yes.

A (16:52)

All right. Around the middle of the album is Past Lives featuring Hayley Williams of Param.

A (16:59)

I'm getting a sense that maybe you listened to punk rock.

C (17:02)

I love emo.

A (17:03)

When you were a kid.

A (17:06)

What did you like about it when you were a teenager?

C (17:09)

I love how it makes me feel. I think I love Hayley Williams.

A (17:12)

She's great.

C (17:12)

Yeah, she's great. I love Paramore. I mean, I love Blink182 and I grew up with Green Day and I think living in California was like a big one in the Bay Area. 104.1. I think it was called the Hawk, or maybe it was 97.3. But there was an alternative rock station that always played pop rock, you know.

A (17:30)

Yeah. You're growing into your 10th anniversary. I think it's gonna be this year. It's going to be for.

A (17:40)

Turn into. Turn into. Do you pay attention to anniversaries?

C (17:44)

When people tell me, yeah, I'm telling you.

A (17:48)

When it comes up on your anniversary. What do you think about. What do you think about that record when you look back on it 10.

C (17:53)

Years later, to be frank? I think, wow, I'm getting old. But also I think I'm really proud of myself and the younger version of myself for putting myself out there and, you know, putting music up online. I think it's very brave.

A (18:08)

Yeah.

C (18:09)

Yeah.

A (18:09)

What do you hear in that record now, 10 years later?

C (18:13)

I hear a girl that's just figuring herself out and she's also having fun. A little too much fun. And there's a certain freedom within her that I aspire to have again. Yeah.

A (18:27)

What do you mean? It's just that it's gotten too serious now.

C (18:30)

I think maybe I'm a little too self aware of, like, music and kind of what the career aspect of it all. And before 10 years ago, I mean, I was just doing music for fun and playing shows with people. And it wasn't a job, it was just fun. It was a hobby. It was fun.

A (18:46)

Yeah. The album is, if you listen to it. I was listening to Walking to Work yesterday. It's pretty electronic, actually, compared to what we're hearing here, which is really lovely. Thank you. What did you enjoy about going a little more electronic on the album?

C (19:03)

I just love. I love dance music. So, like, the first song on the album, Cards on the Table, was inspired by Frou Frou. So that that one Frou Frou record, AKA Imogen Heap, was really great. And there's something about the, like, percussive elements in that record that I think I was just listening to over and over again. And I just wanted to see what I could do with that song. And throughout the album.

A (19:31)

And tomorrow you're gonna be playing at Warsaw. Can you give us a little preview of what the show might be like?

C (19:36)

The show is gonna be awesome. It's gonna be at Warsaw.

A (19:39)

We play and that's all you need to know.

C (19:41)

And Dave Warsaw on itself and bet. And it's awesome. And everyone in New York should come.

A (19:47)

The last song we're gonna hear is called what yout Need. It features a musician named Soft Glass. Can you tell me a little bit about Soft Glass?

C (19:54)

Yeah. Soft Glass is Joao, and he's right here. And I'm looking at him and he's an amazing artist and friend and I love him a lot. And we made this song together and he brought it to me. So this song exists because of him.

A (20:08)

Aww. I don't know if you heard that, but said I love you oh, I love you. This is jsom. Their new album is called Belong. This is what you need.

B (20:34)

Sam.

B (21:11)

I'm better now.

B (21:15)

I'm writing the words you never said ignore me now.

B (21:23)

The same old story same regrets in that moment.

B (21:31)

I swear can last forever and I'm better now.

B (21:39)

You'Ll never hear these words again.

B (21:50)

Come you had my patience you could lay it all to us I'm in your kitchen washing your dishes Thinking of the things I say to you Back up what you want and what you're telling me doesn't matter what you mean you can take the last word Back up what you want and what you're telling me can't give you what you need you can have the last word.

B (22:25)

Looking at the last word.

B (22:31)

Take turns and turn throw you the rope I'm fine can well pretend I'm fine I'm fine gonna you have my patience you can lay it all to rest I really want you watching your dishes Thinking of the things I'll say to you.

B (23:08)

I said to you.

B (23:12)

I said to you.

B (23:16)

I said you.

B (23:20)

Back up what you want and what you tell me doesn't matter what you mean you can take the last word back up what you want and what you tell me can't give you what you need you can never last word Back up what you want and what you tell me doesn't matter what you want you can take the last word Back up what you want and what you're telling me can't give you what you need you need.

B (23:55)

You can have the last word I swear it could last forever ever.

B (24:03)

You can never last word I swear it could last forever.

B (24:14)

I swear it could last forever.

B (24:20)

King of the last one I swear it could last forever.

B (24:33)

Sam.

A (25:05)

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C (25:18)

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A (25:21)

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