Jay Som: Home-Produced Dream Pop

Sometimes small and local music scenes contain the best and most authentic artists. One amazing artist from the bay area in northern California is Melina Duterte, or better known as Jay Som. Melina is also Summer Peaks’ bassist and has written many songs for the band as well. Jay Som is bedroom-produced indie pop project that has been reaching quite a bit of critical acclaim, especially recently, with the release of her album “Turn Into” leading to other endeavors such as tours with Honeyblood, Peter Bjorn and John, and Mitski. What makes Jay Som so unique is the one-woman-show aspect to the project and the music just seems to scratch a nostalgic, home-body itch that a lot of music lovers have been waiting for.

“Turn Into” was released in 2015 as her first official release. For being an initial effort, it’s a very impressive collection of songs and music production. Some of my favorite songs on the album include “Peach Boy”, “Ghost”, and “Unlimited Touch”. Jay Som does dream pop and indie rock right, if it’s okay to say there’s a right way. The songwriting is catchy and soulful, the music and instrumentation is solid, and the vocals are sweet and soothing. This album is a great easy listening, groovy, and overall airy and dreamy collection of music.

She is performing one more show to wrap up 2016 at The Echoplex in Los Angeles, California with support from Los Angeles Police Department and Plush. Tickets for that show can be found here.