Jay Som Performs in CR5

Summary

Podcast Summary: Jay Som Performs in CR5

Podcast: All Of It (WNYC)
Host: Alison Stewart
Episode Date: December 10, 2025

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Main Theme

This episode spotlights musician Melina Duterte, better known as Jay Som, who returns after a six-year hiatus with her new album "Belong." The episode balances live performances with an in-depth conversation about creative growth, musical collaborations, the indie musician experience, and navigating both the joys and difficulties of sustaining a music career. Jay Som discusses her evolution as a producer and engineer, dives into the stories behind her latest songs, and shares insights on friendship, nostalgia, and artistic vulnerability.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Live Performance: "Casino Stars"

• [01:09] Jay Som and her band open with "Casino Stars" from the new album.
• The song is energetic and intimate, setting the tone for an episode focused on both performance and conversation.

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2. Album Genesis and Production Journey

• [04:42] Host: "When did this album start to take shape?"

• [04:44] Jay Som:

  • The creative process began a couple years prior, but most of the album took shape in the early months of 2025.
  • Recording happened in both Philadelphia and LA, with bandmate Joao co-producing.
  • The completion was iterative: “It kind of was finalized within the mixing process… Happened kind of fast this year.”

• [05:12] On earlier failed attempts:

  • Multiple false starts due to burnout from years of touring.
  • Jay Som explains choosing studio work and production as an alternative path, describing production work as “a really awesome alternative to… experience.”

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3. Stepping Into Production & Engineering

• [05:44] Host: “Was that a turn that you expected in your career, or did it just happen?”

• [05:59] Jay Som:

  • Did not expect it, but gradually “worked hard in teaching myself,” learning from friends, forums, and “YouTube University.”

  • Deep personal investment in learning new skills, focusing on mastering the recording console.

  • “I really wanted to learn how to walk into studios and patch things in without having to ask people.”—Jay Som [06:22]

• [06:34] She discusses the influence and inspiration of producer Catherine Marks during the Boy Genius sessions.

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4. Impact of Success & Community

• [06:44] Host: “How much has the success of being part of that Boy Genius album changed the way people approach you about engineering, about producing?”
• [06:55] Jay Som:
  • The response has been “pretty positive.”
  • Boy Genius “universe” is “really special,” with songwriters who are "so personal and vulnerable.”
  • Fans now approach Jay Som at shows, referencing her Boy Genius work as an entry point.

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5. Studio Habits and Humor

• [07:35] Notable Moment: Host references an Interview Magazine quote about needing “hunger” in the studio.
• [07:42] Jay Som:
  • Literal hunger! Studios can make people forget to eat, and “as a producer, you need to be like, you need to eat.”
  • Favorite snack: “I really love hot Cheetos. I'm trying not to have that ever again, but it happens.” [08:08]

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6. Live Performance: “Appointments”

• [08:43] Jay Som plays “Appointments,” another song from the new album.

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7. Songwriting: Friendship & Boundaries

• [13:26] Host: “That song is… about a relationship, right?”
• [13:34] Jay Som:
  • Recent writing focuses on platonic relationships over romantic ones.
  • Explores complexities, blurred lines, and emotional boundaries in friendships:
  • “Sometimes we have those friendships that border on, like, what is this? What's going on?... Lines get blurred for, you know, expectations and boundaries.” [13:36]

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8. The Power of Collaboration

• [14:59] Host: “Did you go into this album knowing you were going to collaborate?”

• [15:02] Jay Som:

  • Yes. Wanted to break out of “echo chamber of your own emotions and decisions.”
  • Collaboration brings new ideas you “could never get to” alone.

• [15:32] Host: “Did you learn anything that you'll use on your next solo album?”

• [15:32] Jay Som:

  • “Maybe not overthinking certain things, like the tone of something… First take is best take. First or second take, I think, is always the best.”
  • Admits to striving for perfection in the studio, but now values spontaneity.

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9. Featured Collaborators & Musical Influences

• Jim Adkins (Jimmy Eat World):

  • “[Bleed American] is one of my favorite records of all time…” [16:09]
  • “Jim and I talked on the phone and he just remotely recorded vocals.” [16:36]

• Hayley Williams (Paramore):

  • “I love emo.” [17:02]
  • Talks about growing up with Paramore, Blink-182, Green Day, and the significance of the Bay Area's alternative music scene.

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10. Reflecting on a Decade: The 10th Anniversary

• [17:40] Host: “You’re growing into your 10th anniversary.”
• [17:53] Jay Som:
  • “To be frank? I think, wow, I'm getting old. But also I think I'm really proud… for putting music up online. I think it’s very brave.”
  • What she hears now: “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.” [18:13]
  • Expresses nostalgia for the period when music was simply a hobby free from career pressures.

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11. A New Sonic Palette

• [19:03] Jay Som:
  • Embracing more electronic sounds, inspired by Frou Frou and Imogen Heap.
  • “I just love dance music. The first song on the album, Cards on the Table, was inspired by Frou Frou.”

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12. Live Show & Album Close

• [19:31] Host: “Can you give us a little preview of what the show might be like?”

• [19:36] Jay Som: “The show is gonna be awesome. It’s gonna be at Warsaw… and everyone in New York should come.” [19:41]

• [19:47] Final live performance: “What You Need”—collaboration with bandmate Soft Glass (Joao). Jay Som thanks him on air: “He’s an amazing artist and friend and I love him a lot. This song exists because of him.” [19:54]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Production Growth:

  • “I was basically in YouTube University just watching videos all day long.” – Jay Som [06:11]
  • “I really wanted to learn how to walk into studios and patch things in without having to ask people.” – Jay Som [06:22]

• On Studio Snacks:

  • “I really love hot Cheetos. I’m trying not to have that ever again, but it happens.” – Jay Som [08:08]

• On Collaboration:

  • “Working with people gets you out of that [echo chamber]. It also offers new ideas and things you just could never get to.” – Jay Som [15:09]

• On Anniversaries and Growth:

  • “There’s a certain freedom within her that I aspire to have again.” – Jay Som, reflecting on her early work [18:13]

• On Nostalgia and Career:

  • “Before, ten 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.” – Jay Som [18:30]

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Performance Timestamps

• Casino Stars – [01:09 to 04:12]
• Appointments – [08:43 to 13:26]
• What You Need – [19:47 to 24:20]

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Episode Flow

• Live performances are interwoven with candid, reflective conversation.
• Alison Stewart’s thoughtful questions draw out themes of creative evolution, self-care, and artistic risk-taking.
• Jay Som’s openness gives listeners insight into the realities of life as a working indie artist—balancing burnout, creative ambition, and the unpredictable joy of collaboration.

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For listeners new to Jay Som or those curious about the creative process behind "Belong," this episode offers both beautiful live renditions and a rare, genuine window into the mind and heart of a singular indie artist.

Transcript

[A]

This is all of it on WNYC. I'm Alison Stewart. The last time JSOM released an album was in 2019. Pitchfork called it exploratory and playful, like a jam session among friends that's just hit its stride. Then Melinda Duterte, the artist who performs as jsom, took a break from the project and dove into working as a producer and engineer. Over the last six years, she's handled a bunch of projects, including the supergroup Boy Genius, with whom she was nominated for album of the Year at the Grammys. Rolling Stone has called her Indy's secret weapon. Now, with the experience of those collaborations, Melinda Duterte is back as with a new JSALM album titled Belong. And they'll be at Warsaw tomorrow night. And she and her band are here with me in studio right now to play some songs from it while. Welcome back.

[B]

Yay.

[C]

Thank you for having us.

[A]

Are you going to kick us off with a song?

[C]

Yes, we are.

[A]

What are you going to hear?

[C]

It's called Casino Stars.

[A]

We'll talk about it on the other side.

[C]

Thank you. Ellison.

[B]

Turn it up now baby put the car in park I lift you up now baby kiss me in the the dark I'm winning Big star praying won't you play the park Casino stars won't quit I've got to have it oh.

I'm on my hands and knees I'm on my hands Please it's all I need Just let me leave.

Just let me leave I lost my luck last time I flipped Badass called the stars none we're going to have it all in Big star praying we should play the casino stars quit I've got a habit oh.

I move my hands and knees I'm on my hands and knees it's all I need Just let me leave.

Just let me leave.

I've got heaven.

I've gotta have it.

I've gotta have it.

I've gotta have it oh.

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.

Just let me be.

[A]

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

[C]

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]

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.

When did this album start to take shape?

[C]

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]

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

[C]

Yes.

[A]

At this. What was going on in those attempts?

[C]

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]

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]

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]

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

[C]

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]

Yeah.

[C]

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]

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

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

[C]

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]

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

[C]

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

[A]

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

[C]

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]

I love that.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

What's your snack of choice?

[C]

My snack of choice?

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]

All right, my guest.

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]

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

[A]

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

[C]

We're gonna play Appointments.

[B]

You change your mind? Wanted to feel.

Something Enough.

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

Don't call.

Don't crawl.

You said Sam.

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.

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

Don't come.

Don't cry.

Don't.

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]

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

[C]

Yes. Yes.

[A]

What kind of relationship?

[C]

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]

Were you working through something personally when.

[C]

You Were writing this probably like I usually am.

[A]

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

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

Is that you?

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]

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

[A]

Why did you want to try something else?

[C]

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]

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

[C]

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]

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

[C]

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]

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

[C]

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]

He did it remotely?

[C]

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]

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

[C]

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

[A]

So you will get to meet him.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

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

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

[C]

I love emo.

[A]

When you were a kid.

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

[C]

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

[A]

She's great.

[C]

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]

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

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

[C]

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

[A]

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]

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]

Yeah.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

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

[C]

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]

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

[C]

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]

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]

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]

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

[C]

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

[A]

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

[C]

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

[A]

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]

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]

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]

Sam.

I'm better now.

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

The same old story same regrets in that moment.

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

You'Ll never hear these words again.

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.

Looking at the last word.

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.

I said to you.

I said to you.

I said you.

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.

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

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

I swear it could last forever.

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

Sam.

[A]

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[C]

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[A]

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