Melina Mae Cortez Duterte (born March 25, 1994), better known by her stage name Jay Som, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer and mixing engineer. Initially presenting an indie rock sound, she began releasing music in 2012 and released her debut studio album Turn Into in mid-2016. The follow-up to Everybody Works and Jay Som's third studio album, Anak Ko, was released on August 23, 2019 via Polyvinyl, Lucky Number, and Inertia.
Born in Walnut Creek, California, Duterte spent most of her childhood in Pleasanton and Brentwood. She grew up playing the trumpet and guitar, and began writing and recording music at the age of 12. She originally intended to attend a conservatory program for jazz but instead decided to focus on songwriting. Her debut record Everybody Works was released on Double Denim Records, and Polyvinyl Records in March 2017. Which was preceded by Turn Into, a collection of songs that first gained her attention as a singer-songwriter.
Duterte grew up playing the trumpet and guitar, and began writing and recording music at the age of 12.[2] She originally intended to attend a conservatory program for jazz but instead decided to focus on songwriting.[3] After enrolling in community college and studying music production and recording, she began recording in her bedroom studio and self-released music under the moniker Jay Som, which was created from an online baby name generator and means "Victory Moon".[4]
In January 2018, Duterte released "Pirouette" and "O.K., Meet Me Underwater," singles that were recorded during the same sessions as Everybody Works but did not end up on the final track list.[8] In June 2018, Duterte toured with The National in Dublin, Ireland. They also recently toured with the Alternative Rock band Paramore, and was their opening act for the second half of Tour 5. In September of the same year, Duterte released a split EP Nothing's Changed with American singer-songwriter Justus Proffit. The EP consists of 5 tracks, all recorded in her home recording studio—where she also recorded Everybody Works.[9]
The follow-up to Everybody Works, Anak Ko, was released on August 23, 2019 via Polyvinyl.[10] In January 2020, Duterte contributed to a benefit compilation in support of Bernie Sanders's 2020 presidential run. Organized by indie rock band Strange Ranger, the compilation was titled "Bernie Speaks With the Community."[11] On October 28, 2020, Duterte announced a new project Routine with Chastity Belt bassist Annie Truscott by releasing their first single "Cady Road". Routine's debut EP And Other Things is set for release on November 20 via Friends Of/Dead Oceans.[12]
In 2023, Duterte toured with Boygenius for their record, The Record, playing bass.[13] That year Duterte also produced the album Doom Singer by Chris Farren.[14] Two years later, on July 9, 2025 Duterte announced new LP Belong, her first new album in six years and follow up to 2019's Anak Ko.[15][16]
Artistry
Duterte performs all the music on her recordings, and records in a makeshift studio in her bedroom.[6] She describes her style as "headphone music".[17] Joe Coscarelli of The New York Times described Jay Som's music as "D.I.Y.bedroom pop" and noted its intimate, lo-fi aesthetic.[18] Liz Pelly of Time Out New York called her sound "mesmerizing and multidimensional dream pop that favors reality over escapism, drawing from classic pop and funk".[19] Pelly also described Duterte's singing as "low and languid".[19]Pitchfork has compared Jay Som's intimate sound and vulnerability to the music of Phil Elverum and Carly Rae Jepsen, and Duterte has stated that Elverum's music has had a profound impact on her own.[20]Karaoke singing and listening to Yo La Tengo and My Bloody Valentine also have influenced Duterte's vocal style.[20] Duterte was influenced by American rock band Jimmy Eat World's fourth studio album Bleed American (2001).[21] She has also cited taking influence from Canadian singer-songwriter and record producer, Alanis Morissette.[22]
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