Jay Watson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jay Watson
Watson in 2016
Background information
Also known as	GUM / Gumby Wesley Goldtouch
Born	Error: Need valid birth date: year, month, day Carnarvon, Western Australia, Australia
Origin	Northam, Western Australia, Australia
Genres	Psychedelic rock, alternative rock, neo-psychedelia, dream pop, psychedelic pop, space rock
Occupation(s)	Musician, producer, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, drums, bass, keyboards
Years active	2005–present
Labels	Spinning Top Records p(doom)

Jay Wesley Watson is an Australian musician. He plays many instruments, writes songs, sings, and helps produce music. He is well-known as a touring member of the psychedelic band Tame Impala. He also helped start the psychedelic rock/pop band Pond. With Pond, he has recorded ten albums. Jay Watson also creates his own music under the name GUM. As of 2023, he has released six studio albums as GUM.

About Jay Watson's Music Career

Jay Wesley Watson was born in Carnarvon, Australia. He grew up in Northam. He was given the nickname Gumby, which came from a clay animation TV show. When he started recording his own music, Watson shortened the name to GUM.

Watson drumming with Tame Impala in July 2011

As GUM, Watson released his first album, Delorean Highway, online in Australia on May 30, 2014. Much of the music for this album was recorded in 2011. Watson said that when it finally came out, it felt good, but also old to him. Only a thousand copies of the album were released on vinyl. The album was described as a collection of songs about falling in love and things he worried about.

In September 2014, Watson recorded his second album in London. This album, Glamorous Damage, was announced in September 2015. It was released on November 13, 2015. Before the album, a song called "Anaesthetized Lesson" was released. Another musician, Kevin Parker, later remixed this song. Watson explained that the album title was about people making wild behavior seem cool. He noted that there is always a risk of getting hurt if you put such things on a pedestal. Watson sometimes performs his GUM music live, using pre-recorded backing tracks.

On November 3, 2016, a third album called Flash in the Pan was teased online. It was released on November 11, 2016. The song "Gemini" was released before the album. This song was described as a mix of looped vocals, synth sounds, and dreamy bass. Watson said it was the first song he recorded for the album. It also featured Sergio Flores playing the saxophone.

Jay Watson lives in Beaconsfield. This is a suburb near Fremantle in Perth, Western Australia. In December 2019, he and his girlfriend Lucy had a son named Jack.

Jay Watson's Music Albums

As GUM

Albums

• Delorean Highway (2014)
• Glamorous Damage (2015)
• Flash In the Pan (2016)
• The Underdog (2018)
• Out In the World (2020)
• Saturnia (2023)
• Ill Times (2024) with Ambrose Kenny-Smith

Singles

• Anesthetized Lesson (2015)
• Elafonissi Blue (2015)
• Gemini (2016)
• Deep Razz (2016)
• The Underdog (2018)
• The Blue Marble (2018)
• Out In the World (2020)
• Airwalkin' (2020)
• Low to Low (2020)
• Ancients (2022; from Glamorous Damage remaster)
• Minor Setback / Old Transistor Radio (2023) with Ambrose Kenny-Smith
• Race to the Air (2023)
• Would It Pain You to See? (2023)
• Music Is Bigger Than Hair (2023)
• Argentina (2023)
• Ill Times (2024) with Ambrose Kenny-Smith
• Dud (2024) with Ambrose Kenny-Smith

With Pond

• Psychedelic Mango (2009)
• Corridors of Blissterday (2009)
• Frond (2010)
• Beard, Wives, Denim (2012)
• Hobo Rocket (2013)
• Man It Feels Like Space Again (2015)
• The Weather (2017)
• Tasmania (2019)
• Sessions (2019)
• 9 (2021)
• Stung! (2024)

With Tame Impala

• Tame Impala (2008), played drums and keyboards on some songs
• Innerspeaker (2010), played drums on some songs
• Live at the Corner EP (2010), played drums on all songs
• Lonerism (2012), played piano and keyboards on some songs
• Live Versions (2014), played keyboards on all songs