About this interview
In a 2009 interview with Ryan Minic of Ryan’s Rock Show, Toby Morrell and Devin Shelton of Emery sit down for a conversation about the band’s journey, their evolving approach to music, and the state of the music industry at the time. With several years under their belt, the two reflect on how much things have changed since the early days of Emery—when they were just a group of guys playing any show they could get, sleeping on floors, handing out flyers at malls, and scraping together enough money for gas to make it to the next venue. For them, there was no shortcut. It was all about hard work, writing meaningful music, and grinding it out on tour, night after night.
Fast forward to 2009, and the landscape looks a lot different. Morrell and Shelton talk about the challenges of standing out in an oversaturated scene, where the rise of the internet and platforms like MySpace have given virtually anyone the ability to start a band, record music in their bedroom, and build an online following overnight. They acknowledge that while this has opened doors for many musicians, it’s also made it harder for bands with genuine work ethic and road-tested experience to cut through the noise. “There’s no work ethic anymore,” they say. “No stories of being stranded on the side of the road. No sacrifices. Just a laptop and some clicks.”
The discussion also digs into how Emery has stayed relevant in an ever-changing market. They emphasize their commitment to making music that’s authentic and honest—music that reflects who they are as people and where they are in life. They touch on how their Christian faith naturally influences their writing, not as an agenda, but as an authentic part of who they are. For them, it’s less about preaching and more about telling stories, leaving songs open for listeners to interpret in their own way. They see themselves as storytellers above all else.
As they talk about their new record, they explain that their goal has always been to evolve musically while staying grounded in their roots. They want their fans to know that despite changes in style or sound, their passion for creating quality music hasn’t changed. They’ve grown up, lived more life, and learned more about who they are—and that shows in their songs. It’s about maturity, not just musically but personally. They’re making records that reflect where they are now, not who they were years ago.
Morrell and Shelton also speak candidly about the financial realities of being in a band in 2009. With CD sales in decline and downloading (both legal and illegal) becoming the norm, they talk about how it’s become harder to make a living playing music. Promoters often base booking decisions on album sales, so even if a band has a strong fanbase, a lack of physical sales can hurt their ability to tour. They highlight the paradox: fans download music for free but don’t always come out to shows or buy merch, leaving bands struggling to stay afloat. For Emery, it’s always been about building real connections with fans and putting on memorable live shows—because that’s what lasts.