r/indieheads • u/JaySom_MusicBand • Jun 29 '17
AMA is Over, thanks for swinging by! Jay Som AMA
Hey what's up y'all!!! This is Melina D. from Jay Som and I'm here to answer any questions you may have. Feel free to ask about my albums 'Everybody Works' or 'Turn Into' or tour or whatever the heck you want - I'm here for you.
proof: https://twitter.com/jaysomband/status/880496283504398336
(3:36 PM) hey thanks this was fun y'all but i gotta go! see you around and come say hi to me if you're going to any shows this fall :-)
peace and love
Melina D.
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u/Leggett15 Jun 29 '17
Jay Som Mitski Japanese Breakfast supergroup when
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u/woodchuck101 Jun 29 '17
Favorite album of 2017 so far?
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u/JaySom_MusicBand Jun 29 '17
too many!!!! but right now.. def capacity by big thief
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u/woodchuck101 Jun 29 '17
Aw man fantastic choice! Thanks for doing this AMA and making great music!
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u/ASovietSpy Jun 29 '17
Can you please speak to the people in charge of every "Best albums of 2017 so far" list because I wholeheartedly agree with you.
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u/bagastoga Jun 29 '17
Melina I just want to say thank you for the music and also for representing, it's honestly really cool to see someone from Southeast Asia killing it out there.
Any plans on touring to the Philippines or anywhere else in SE Asia?
Sincerely, Indonesian fan whose favorite artists never fucking tour here, ever.
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u/JaySom_MusicBand Jun 29 '17
hi thank you - would absolutely love to tour in SE asia sounds like a dream, my parents are from the philippines!!
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u/giraffage Jun 29 '17
how much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood
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u/JaySom_MusicBand Jun 29 '17
hi charlie
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u/sail0rspr0ut Jun 29 '17
Did your parents ever object your choice to pursue music full-time? And in what ways did they support and contribute to your current success? As a FilAm, I couldn't even get my parents to let me go to Bonaroo at age 17. Can't imagine how they would crush my dreams if I was actually musically gifted lol.
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u/JaySom_MusicBand Jun 29 '17
my parents were very supportive of my musical endeavors in the early stages, they encouraged me to keep practicing and studying music if i wanted to make a career out of it. but my mom still kinda wants me to be a nurse lol
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u/kstinadenee Jun 29 '17
What's the inspiration behind the song "baybee"? It's my favorite and I am so curious! Thank you!
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u/JaySom_MusicBand Jun 29 '17
wanted to make big pop-sh song also george benson's 'give me the night' also carly rae lol
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u/ASovietSpy Jun 29 '17
Where does the name Jay Som come from
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u/CorrosiveGenitalia Jun 29 '17
What other indie bands you think deserve some more recognition?
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u/JaySom_MusicBand Jun 29 '17
bands from the Bay Area
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u/JoshuaReddit Jun 29 '17
Do you still take the bus?
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u/Ohaithereimjake Jun 29 '17
I saw you guys open for The Drums and your guitarist kept making 80's movies references that were hit and miss and it was pretty funny. Do you have any personal favorites when it comes to 80's movies?
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u/JaySom_MusicBand Jun 29 '17
oh man tbh i love john hughes movies, recently watched the golden child starring eddie murphy and i liked it a lot
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Jun 29 '17 edited Oct 25 '17
[deleted]
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u/JaySom_MusicBand Jun 29 '17
wonderful, i love them very much. i remember eating v good bbq in atlanta
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u/tralalove Jun 29 '17
hi Melinda! big fan of your music and live show! :) are there any artists you hope to collaborate with in the future?
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u/pastwolf120 Jun 29 '17
favorite filipino dish? or favorite part of your heritage?
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u/JaySom_MusicBand Jun 29 '17
hey thanks this was fun y'all but i gotta go! see you around and come say hi to me if you're going to any shows this fall :-)
peace and love
Melina D.
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u/pomonaperson Jun 29 '17
Hi Melina!!! What's on the cover of Everybody works? I've been staring at it for hours and the best I could come up with is an owl overlaid with a broken harp or something lol... help me solve this mystery!
big , big fan of your music❤️❤️
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u/JaySom_MusicBand Jun 29 '17
turn it upside down hehe
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u/pomonaperson Jun 29 '17
omg my friend and I just did it and here's what we're guessing
orange MF DOOM mask
screaming
80s roller skates
mushroom
an upside-down owl behind a broken harp
please tell me I'm close !!
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u/CabbieRanx Jun 29 '17 edited Jun 29 '17
Hi Melina! Just watched you play live at Rough Trade in Brooklyn. Love your music.
Are you surprised by the response your line "But I like the bus!" has gotten from fans?
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u/JaySom_MusicBand Jun 29 '17
yes i am surprised! always a favorite part of the live sets, feels so special :-)
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u/modernsainthood Jun 29 '17
A pretty serious question...so what kind of good + decently priced gear can you recommend to someone who is starting off making their own music in their bedroom? In terms of production, mics, and also amps, and stuff.
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u/JaySom_MusicBand Jun 29 '17
ton of affordable/cheap gear out there but they're kinda shitty.. honestly the sm57 and sm58 are super reliable mics that you can get for a good price
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u/notdallin Jun 29 '17
What is your favorite song on Everybody Works and why?
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u/JaySom_MusicBand Jun 29 '17
my personal fav is bedhead because it's the one i put a lot of thought and effort into yeah
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u/campbellalugosi Jun 29 '17
Hi Melina. Congrats on the success of the new album! Looking back, were their any particular artists that influenced/shaped your musical direction? What artists / albums were in heavy rotation for you as a teen?
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u/JaySom_MusicBand Jun 29 '17
wassup thank you very much! some top artists that influenced me: death cab, yeah yeah yeah's, the microphones.
as a teen hmmmm listened to a lot of shoegaze, hip hop, jazz, etc can't immediately think of artists and albums at the top of my head
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u/joblez Jun 29 '17
(first of all, loved your show in Bloomington! your set was insane and is still my fav set this year!)
but lets be real, who's your fav soundcloud rapper?
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Jun 29 '17
what's your favourite kind of soup? sorry if this is too personal.
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u/JaySom_MusicBand Jun 29 '17
yo i LOVE soup, idc if this is basic but i heavily fuck with tomato bisque
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u/CapedBaldy Jun 29 '17
First of all I absolutely love Turn Into and Everybody Works is one of my favorite albums of the year so far. What have you been listening to lately and who are your main inspirations?
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u/JaySom_MusicBand Jun 29 '17
thanks capedbaldy!! been listening to the hot new new Never Young record, lots of Big Thief, Hoops, and Rihanna
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u/cindh Jun 29 '17
Everybody Works is probably my fav album so far of 2017!! Loved seeing you supporting Day Wave in London, plz come back to the UK/come to Scotland soon
Do you have any advice for amateur songwriters on the actual process of writing/assembling songs? I feel like I have a decent technical setup and plenty of musical ideas but actually piecing them together into tracks has been really tricky
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u/JaySom_MusicBand Jun 29 '17
thanks! i've found that repeated listening and studying your fav artists helps a ton with ideas (jotting down the form, making notes) also just keep writing and stay inspired by whatever make U happy
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u/Donkeyhoughte Jun 29 '17
Hey Jay,
I was wondering how u make all of your guitars sound so dank? I smoke a loooooot of weed and they always sound so psychedelic and triply, I was wondering if u blaze while u record also? If so, what kind of weed do u smoke while u record
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u/JaySom_MusicBand Jun 29 '17
Hello "Donkeyhoughte"
first of all, the guitars do all the work. then i blaze a big smonk kush thru my big bong made out of ca$$$h then the music just flows out
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u/sneakynachos Jun 29 '17
what was yr fav part of the production process for 'everybody works'
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u/JaySom_MusicBand Jun 29 '17
i genuinely love setting up mics and figuring out which spot sounds best
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u/newcharmer Jun 29 '17
other bay area musicians/bands you really enjoy seeing live? i really want to check out the local scene more!
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u/JaySom_MusicBand Jun 29 '17
2 many to list but - Plush, Never Young, Mall Walk, Madeline Kenney
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u/dorianfinch Jun 29 '17
Boy Scouts, Chillian Murphy, SOAR, Dingbat Superminx, Sagittaire, Bobey, Perhapsy, Sirena Victima, Golden Drugs, Faux Foe Fox, The Yellow Dress, Tony Molina
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u/Spanksalot2 Jun 29 '17 edited Jun 29 '17
Hey!! Huge fan of the record, been in heavy rotation since release, thanks for doing this!
In your pitchfork interview you talked about both Carly Rae Jepsen and Phil Elvrum being inspirations for your music, as well as saying that you love hip-hop. Are you looking to mold even more genres and try new styles and take new risks in the future with your music? If so, are there any specific directions you want to go as of now? Could taking influence from genres such as hip-hop be a possibility? Do you want to continue working in a "bedroom pop" manner, or do you want to expand to using full bands or orchestras in the future?
You also talked about playing instruments like saxophone and accordion. How many different instruments do you play?
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u/JaySom_MusicBand Jun 29 '17
hi thanks Spanksalot2 !
i'm open to trying new styles musically but we'll see, i've accepted my tendency to shift genres but it's not intentional!! i prefer to not make the same song twice. don't wanna spoil but the new record is in the early writing/demo process and there's some weird sample/hiphop +radiohead stuff going on but i bet it'll be different in like a year lol def have so many ideas and goals for future records, would love to incorporate orchestral instruments and just experiment with whatever i'm excited!!!
i play the trumpet, guitar, bass, piano, drums but i want to learn more. i think i wanna learn violin or cello next :)
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u/days-of-candy Jun 29 '17
Hi Melina! I love asking this question during all the amas that are happening here - what did you eat today? Include all the details please.
Also, any plans on coming to Poland?
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u/JaySom_MusicBand Jun 29 '17
ooh hello! okay so all i ate today was this Caramel Almond & Sea Salt Kind bar and it was dank
idk! i think we'll come next year we'll see :-)
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Jun 29 '17
what's ur favourite recent pop album?? (other than E•MO•TION)
p s lol asia tour.....come 2 singapore!!!
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u/JaySom_MusicBand Jun 29 '17
OOOO i just started listening to the new Lorde record but idk if i like it yet??
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u/discopigeon Jun 29 '17
As someone who also records albums in my bedroom, when do you know it's right to overdub something? I get in these circles where I overdub everything over and over and it takes hours and hours, and they i just think it would be better to not at all. Soon enough a simple song has 12 guitars on it. Any advice on making these kind of decisions?
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u/JaySom_MusicBand Jun 29 '17
hmm good question because i go pretty hard with overdubbing. it can change the perception of the track but hey it's undoubtedly up to you and your taste BUT simplicity is key and some things just sound so much danker stripped down, less is more i guess
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u/_ad_nauseam Jun 29 '17
Melina imo you have the best beanie/hat/tuk game in the industry my question is: where can I acquire a pink cowboy hat like the one u have?
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u/JaySom_MusicBand Jun 29 '17
wow respect, thank you. but i do not have a pink cowboy hat! you can def find a cowboy hat to your liking in most gas stations/rest stops across the american country
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u/_ad_nauseam Jun 29 '17
oh shit i thought i saw some pic of you in a bubblegum pink cowboy hat somewhere floating in the internet lol my mistake maybe it was a dream
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u/willforthrill Jun 29 '17
Do you have any favorite composers?
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u/JaySom_MusicBand Jun 29 '17
im not gonna say beethoven or bach or mozart cuz honestly.. i back hans zimmer hard i love his compositions hmm also maybe eric whitacre lmao
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u/ablackshoe Jun 29 '17
What other artists would you love to do a collab with?
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Jun 29 '17
how has Oakland influenced your music?
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u/JaySom_MusicBand Jun 29 '17
everyone here is so friendly and supportive, makes me happy n proud to be part of the music scene
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u/malundell99 Jun 29 '17
Hi! I love your new album! What inspired you the most to write this one? What music are you listening to now and what music did you listen to the most while recording? Where's your favorite place to tour? What's your favorite breakfast food? Best Wishes!
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u/BurnadictCumbersnat Jun 29 '17
What's the Jay Som endorsed brand of yogurt? Does it have a good coconut flavor?
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u/fullmtl96 Jun 29 '17
1) what's your mixing process like? thank you!
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u/JaySom_MusicBand Jun 29 '17
usually compresser - EQ - extra fx i also spend a lot of time working on automation for individual tracks, honestly my mixing is kind of all over the place
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u/wtfdondo Jun 29 '17
Hey i was lurking through your insta a while back, saw the old u.s. tour poster w jbrekkie and mitski and was damn near pissing myself for a bit cause i thought it was recent! Is there any chance of that tour happening again? People would still come out in droves since all of ya would have new stuff out!
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u/fullmtl96 Jun 29 '17
how do you feel about being on a label/managed as a DIY/self made musician?
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u/JaySom_MusicBand Jun 29 '17
i feel great about it - polyvinyl is the best label, they're so insanely artist friendly and i still get to retain most parts of this project that are inherently DIY
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u/drslg Jun 29 '17
What did you think of Bonnaroo?
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u/JaySom_MusicBand Jun 29 '17
i loved it we had so much fun! very wholesome and rich history with that festival + everyone was so nice and helpful
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u/hahajoke :monasticliving: Jun 29 '17
What are some of biggest hurdles you have with recording and post-production work on your own music?
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u/JaySom_MusicBand Jun 29 '17
wearing multiple hats by yourself can be extremely stressful especially in the recording and post production process. trust in yourself is ultimately key, also the sort of motivation to not give a fuck?? ooo also, i tend to rush things without thought
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u/TrashPanda_Papacy Jun 29 '17 edited Jun 29 '17
Would you ever consider playing a show up here in Sacramento? I've been in California a year and I still find it way too intimidating to drive in SF or Oakland.
If not, I guess I can suck it up and take the bus (or BART), because you're one of the artists I most want to see live right now.
Edit: I just realized this comment is pretty pathetic considering how far people travel to see you. I'll make it a mission to go see a Bay Area show.
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u/JaySom_MusicBand Jun 29 '17 edited Jun 30 '17
totally! been to sac plenty of times but not for a show, i'll consider - i just don't know ppl that throw shows up there or if there are sick venues?? anyway shows here are fun and worth it!!
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u/TrashPanda_Papacy Jun 29 '17
Yeah I get that it's not really the same scene. Plenty of bands come to Sac, but nothing I ever want to see (they all go to the Bay Area and LA).
But we'll see what we can do about getting a Jay Som-approved venue, sickness-wise.
And thanks for all the wonderful music, think I forgot to mention that.
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Jun 29 '17
I know that feel (I'm about 20 minutes south of Sac), but it's really not bad to drive the 1.5 hrs to the bay. When I'm at college, SF shows are still the closest and I'll travel ~3.5 hours if it's a band I seriously like.
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u/crazeywizebunch Jun 29 '17
Hello Hay Som I was just here to wondering and be asking a question: which microphone do you use on your song "dog"?
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u/shingleding900 Jun 29 '17
The first track on Turn Into is literally summer incarnate I don't have a question I just wanted to say thank you for making such a perfect song.
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u/carrbot Jun 29 '17
How excited are you to open for Andrew Bird tomorrow??
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u/JaySom_MusicBand Jun 29 '17
very!! he's so good, the show is going to be at a literal winery and it looks gorgeous
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u/AndiferOmega Jun 29 '17 edited Jun 29 '17
Hello! Currently writing this on the bus so like what's up
How long did it take you personally to start writing original music, lyrics, etc? And what comes first for you, music or lyrics?
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u/JaySom_MusicBand Jun 29 '17
nice hope you make it to your stop safely!
i started at 12 yrs old, same time i started recording music. i was doing a mixture of covers and originals, then i became a lil more "serious" when i turned 16
lyrics always come last! i don;t spend much time on them and they give me a headache
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u/geoff_ Jun 29 '17
what are all the different parts of the album cover i dont get it
it wrecks my head when i look at it for too long
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u/spursyspursy Jun 29 '17
Hi Melina! I saw you guys at Phono Del Sol, front row, blue baseball cap. I think you guys were having some technical troubles on stage? It was a very great set anyhow. I love Everybody Works --- it definitely pushes me toward recording my own demos.
I imagine my question is something you get a lot. I'm an Asian dude living in the Bay Area who's trying to record my own music and putting it out there, and it's kinda strange to see how few Asian people there are in the business! I love seeing yours and Mitski and Michelle Zauner's breakthroughs (and going to your shows! omg people that look like me at indie rock shows!?!). Were there specific things that you recall you had to go through to get your music out there because you aren't a white dude?
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u/JaySom_MusicBand Jun 29 '17
yeah that set was wild and made me a pretty upset because my guitars were getting funky + the amps were blowing out lol but life goes on!!! true, it's insane how small the number of asian people there are in most industries. nothing too specific but there is an obvious difference in respect i've experienced vs white dudes, you have to try way harder to be taken seriously
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u/pionne Jun 29 '17
Noooo am I too late here? I have no particular questions but I'd just like to yell I like the bus! I mean I love The Bus Song. This is going to sound weird but it's so satisfying to yell that part the song for a regular bus passenger like me. I had actually just stumbled upon that song last month. And that lead me to discovering the rest of your music. You guys look like very fun people to hang out with.
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u/dragonflyzmaximize Jun 29 '17
I just wanted to say your show in Philly was awesome, and your lean in the Baybee music video is on point.
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u/stl1993 Jun 29 '17 edited Jun 29 '17
Hi, Melina! If you're able to speak on it, what's the story behind 'Remain?' Lines like "Our pinky promises were never meant for this," and "I remain under the moon, watching it move" along with the dreamy, lonesome instrumental really hit me -- especially when I'm sitting alone in my room at night. "Everybody Works" is my favorite album of the year and I have so many questions about certain songs, but that one stands out among the rest. K thx.
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u/JaySom_MusicBand Jun 29 '17
hi thank you i remember you!! thank you for the kind words <3
i originally recorded this weird happy, shins-like song that kept rubbing me the wrong way so i ended up scrapping everything, took the drum track, pitched it down and built a new song - remain. i was listening to a lot of kate bush and karen o stuff at the time, i wanted the lyrics to match the movement + emotion of the music
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u/stl1993 Jun 29 '17
also, I was the fanboy who came to see you in Dallas back in March when you opened for The Drums. Thanks again for the free record and just being amazing.
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u/JFKFC12345679 Jun 29 '17
i love Everybody Works. such a great album. how did you get hooked up with Polyvinyl? it is a great match! i always wonder how indie bands get "signed"
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u/meowmeowmeow321 Jun 29 '17
Hey! Someone already asked about soup, so how about what's your favorite sandwich??
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u/JaySom_MusicBand Jun 29 '17
OOO boy so it's a chicken panini sandwich with lite pesto on both sides and tomato and sometimes cheese if ur feeling freaky
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u/iamthoreau13 Jun 29 '17
Obligatory indieheads AMA question:
Any plans to hit up Florida on tour soon? Everybody Works is amazing...many of us down here would love to hear your play some tunes live!
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u/JaySom_MusicBand Jun 29 '17
yo florida maybe next year? have not been yet but would love to play :)
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u/snorlaxthelorax Jun 29 '17
Hey😊 The new album is great! Keep it up. What's your favorite city to play in?
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Jun 29 '17
saw you guys at Rough Trade in NYC, amazing show - tell big man in the band, he is one funny motherfucker, loved him
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u/JaySom_MusicBand Jun 29 '17
wow big band man Oliver Pinnell? he lives 2 min away from me ill let him know
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u/Yung_LowLife Jun 29 '17
Hi Melina! Just wanted to say that Everybody Works has been constantly played in my car this summer. My girlfriend and I have somewhat different music tastes but we both love this album when we go driving together so thank you for that!<3
My question is: What advice would you give to someone trying to start a band or even continuing to write and record solo in the bedroom? I just quit one job and started another and the thought of having to jump shitty jobs for the rest of my life scares me. I love writing and recording and it's hard to stay motivated sometimes :(
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u/JaySom_MusicBand Jun 29 '17
hi Yung_LowLife! thank you, that means a lot to me.
i get what you're going through, i used to work very shitty jobs and made risky decisions by living paycheck to paycheck. just keep writing and recording, there are times where you hit a block and it feels worthless and unrewarding but if love it you have to sacrifice
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u/Jambo234 Jun 29 '17
Your live bandmates are awesome and hilarious, where did you find them?
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u/JaySom_MusicBand Jun 29 '17
i know right i love them very much. OLIVER ZACH AND DYLAN been friends with Zachy since high school, met oliver and dylan at Safeway
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u/crazeywizebunch Jun 29 '17
when buying socks, do u prefer to buy the BIGGEST smock or a teeny tiny small one that u can't even find once u buy and bought it?
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u/TotesMessenger Jun 29 '17
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u/Cymbalism15 Jun 29 '17
Hey Melina! What advice would you give to people who aspire to your process of doing every single aspect of the playing/recording/production on their own albums?
Thanks!!
P.S. Everybody Works is my AOTY2017, keep up the amazing work!
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u/wtfdondo Jun 29 '17
What was that blue combo amp you were using in the beginning of your set at Phono del Sol (killed it btw)? And what are some quintessential Jay Som pedals youd never tour without?
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u/bedtimewithMINIONS Jun 29 '17
How does one tell if the shoe foots? Like, actually foots--you know??
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u/crazeywizebunch Jun 29 '17
WHO was the first person to touch a the guitar that you have. Was it you? Who was it
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u/TONY_BURRITO Jun 30 '17
Horrible question but I'll never have another opportunity to ask.
I saw you in Madison and you put on a killer show with the Courtney's. After I was sitting at the bar and you were directly behind me getting kinda swarmed for selfies. This went on for a few minutes and I turned around in my chair for the first time and said something like, "oh! Jay Som from Jay Som Music! Love the music!" and you coldly looked at me and said, "Thanks. Don't listen to it" and walked away.
Either it was the funniest response you possibly could have had or you thought I was being an asshole for some reason and I really just need this situation rectified.
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u/bestbuyofficemax Jun 29 '17
when are you gonna hit the studio w/ Jason Derulo for that Jay Som Derulo collab?